The Ohio Department of Education has admitted it made an error on the state report card performance score for Jordak Elementary School.
As a result, the ODE will be raising the Performance Indicator Score for Jordak from an ‘F’ to an ‘A.’
The confirmation of the grade change came in an email from ODE Social Science Research Specialist Letitia Kotila to Cardinal Schools officials on April 4, 2016.
“I passed along the information about the incorrect performance indicator grade for your school and we are currently working to correct the issue,” Kotila said. “You should have received a 1/1 to give you an A.”
The state website was updated April 22 to reflect the updated grade.
“We are obviously very pleased to be able to share this exciting news with students, families, staff and Cardinal community members,” Superintendent Scott Hunt said in an April 21 news release.
The state report card performance score is comprised of three indicators: performance index, state tests and gifted students.
The grade is an indication of how well students are or are not meeting grade-level expectations in each of the three areas.
Jordak Elementary houses students in grades K-2. There are no state tests at these grade levels, therefore, a performance index cannot be calculated, as this is tied directly to state tests, the release said.
The grade rating at this level is determined solely by the identification of and services provided for the gifted student population. This is an indicator that Jordak Elementary has met and that status is clearly noted on the state report card, the release said.
“Several changes have been made, at the state level, when it comes to calculating and assigning grades for school districts. For instance, this year they’re only using one year of data to calculate progress scores instead of three years, as they’ve done previously,” explained Hunt. “As we, and other districts have been explaining, the state grading system is a very confusing process to understand and apparently that’s also true for those who are assigning grades at the state level, as evidenced by the grade change at Jordak.”
Added Hunt, “We have many great things happening district-wide to prepare our students for successful futures, we have our own data to support that.”
Jordak Principal Kelly Bearer said school staff works extremely hard to bring the absolute best education to the youngest students.
“We have so many outstanding things happening in our building, from our Huskie Pride positive behavior reinforcements, all day, every day kindergarten classes, and our One School, One Book district and community reading project,” Bearer added. “So, we’re ecstatic to have the state recognize and correct our grade to what its true reflection should be. Our students, staff, and parents all deserve that.”