November 2022
NAEP Results: A clear decline in student Math & Reading proficiency

Recent news reports indicate Ohio student achievement results when compared to the nation and pre-pandemic scores are of great concern. These results are determined through the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) which is sometimes referred to as “the nation’s report card”. These assessments were administered between January and March 2022 to a representative subset of American students in math and reading in grades four and eight. Ohio’s scores were LOWER than pre-pandemic levels showing COVID-19’s continued impact on learning.
Just under 2500 Ohio students took the NAEP assessments, the same exams used in all states as they are used for direct comparison between states. The clear decline in students’ proficiency in reading and math is not a shock but does highlight that as a state and as a charter movement we have work to do. 

Black, Latino, students with disabilities, low-income, and English language learners generally did worse on Ohio’s exam. Experts say eighth grade math results are “truly a disaster” as rates plummeted from 38% in 2019 (the last time the NAEP tests were given) to 29% in 2022. Reading rates dropped from 38% to 33% in eighth and 36% to 35% in Fourth grade reading. Fourth grade math also dropped from 41% to 40%.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Rod Hale, Chairman


Eric Fankhauser, Founding Member & Vice President


Gene Schuster, Secretary


Winford Dearing, Treasurer


Jackiethia Butsch


James George



FOUNDING MEMBER & ADMINISTRATOR

Sally Perz
BuckeyeCharterBoards.org | (419) 385-0550
State of Ohio flags waving in front of the Statehouse in Columbus_ OH
A Look at Ohio's Results


And closer to home, a recent analysis of Spring 2021 Ohio State Tests published summary of results:
 
• Average student achievement on state exams administered in spring 2021 declined significantly in every grade and subject.

• In most grades, the decline in the proficiency rate is approximately 8 percentages points in ELA and 15 percentage points in math
Your School

Why should charter school board members be concerned? First, board members need to understand the academic reality of their students in this post-COVID world. That may mean reviewing (for the first time or again with new eyes) your students’ composite scores grade by grade as well as trends taking into consideration your school closure during COVID. 

Second, understand the plan being implemented to raise student achievement. What is being done differently than before? How are targeted funds being used? Does the administration of your school believe the plan is working or needs to be revised? It’s a “work with” mindset that benefits the students. No one person has the single answer for increased student achievement, especially when poverty rates are high.
Impressive Board Meeting

Recently, BCSB observed a board meeting in which a comprehensive school report was given followed by a particularly astute board member who expressed concern that the upward academic trend was not trending as desired.

Michael Temple, OHDELA board member explaining his concerns on test results of students to Sally Perz, BCSB Administrator.

Perz observed great interaction between the board, the Head of School, Ray Lambert and the 9-12 Principal, Chris Brooks. “It was really gratifying to observe the dialog, questions, honest answers that then evolved into a discussion of what could be done differently to help the students reach higher levels of achievement. What a great board meeting – and it was over in approx. one hour”!
This newsletter is underwritten by a generous grant from:

The Board of Trustees of the
Alternative Education Academy 
Increasing the Knowledge, Skills and Effectiveness
of Ohio's Charter School Boards