Superintendent explains state achievement and progress scores

by Sue Serdinak

Oct. 11 Revere Board of Education work session

Superintendent Dr. Michael Tefs reviewed the results of the 2022 Ohio School Report Card with the board and announced that the Revere School District received a five-star rating in achievement. According to the state, that rating indicates the district exceeds state standards in academic achievement.

Revere scored 102.07 out of 107.3 points for achievement. Of 611 Ohio public school districts, Revere ranked 38th.

Tefs provided comparison data for combined performance in grades 3-8 and high school. Student scores in grades 3-7 show Revere was consistently higher in mathematics, science and language arts than statewide scores and slightly higher than scores for districts with similar demographics.

The report card also revealed that math scores for students dropped off in 6th-8th grades. Eighth-grade math scores were lower than those of similar districts.

High school scores showed Revere grades were higher than those of similar districts, except for scores in American history, English language and American Government. Board member Claudia Hower asked Tefs if those scores were lower because students in advance placement and college credit classes were exempt from taking the state tests.  

“Some districts have no accelerated courses,” Tef said. “We have 16 AP courses.”

Hower and board member Hayden Hajdu suggested Revere could require that advanced placement students take the government tests.

Hower also said Revere scores have dropped for the last two years and fallen behind other local districts. Brecksville-Broadview Heights was ranked 17th, Hudson was 25th, Highland was 36th and Revere was 38th.

“I am concerned about how we compare to our peers,’’ she said. “When we look at our rank in the state, we’ve dropped in the last two years. Is it curriculum?”  

Hower asked why Solon’s scores are consistently highest in the state.

Tef said the culture in Solon is different with every teacher teaching the same lessons at the same pace. “I’m not sure you would like that culture,” he said. “You lose autonomy and what makes our teachers really pretty special. We give our teachers a lot of leeway. Our classrooms are really exciting because of that.”

Progress

Districts were also scored for progress. Revere received three stars out of five. Three stars indicates the district met student growth expectations.  The state chart showed that Revere students made progress in English classes in all grades except fifth. The score showed less progress than expected in mathematics in fourth, sixth and seventh grade and in high school American Government.

Tef showed graphs of subgroups of students that indicated students with a disability showed a negative growth in math and language arts.

“Students with disabilities are about 14 percent of our district,’’ he said. “We have to figure out a better way to meet the needs of the students with disabilities.’’

He added that Curriculum Director Marcia Roach is working on a literacy program at Richfield Elementary School. 

“We’re going to really focus on doing a small number of things really well with fidelity and integrity and then add math for the next [curriculum] conversation,” he said. ∞