“It dropped in one grading area, which was enough to change the final grade,” said Superintendent Bryan Wagoner.
Clark Preparatory Academy, received an overall grade of “F,” for the second year in a row.
This month, each school and district in the state received a report card with an A-F grade.
More than half of each school’s overall grade depends on how students perform on state tests each spring. Six factors are nearly evenly weighted- achievement, progress and “gap closing” on state tests, plus graduation rate, improving K-3 reading and a “prepared for success” measure based on high school accomplishments.
More: 3 districts in Clark, Champaign move up a grade on state report cards
The grading area in which Springfield Prep fell was “gap closing,” or the component that shows how well schools are meeting the performance expectations for the most vulnerable students in English language arts, math, graduation and English language proficiency, according to the Ohio Department of Education.
Last year the school received a component grade of “A” in the category, this year they received a component grade of “F,” coming up short mostly in their math performance index score.
“The school is always seeking to increase the performance of all students. We know that the local report card rewards high performance and high growth,” Wagoner said.
In an effort to increase student performance, Wagoner said the Springfield Prep monitors many data points all year round which helps to, “inform instruction,” throughout the year.
“Learning how the school does within and compares to other local schools is valuable and positive,” Wagoner said. “The school earned a higher final grade than its local comparison schools Fulton Elementary, Lincoln Elementary and Springfield City overall, which all earned F grades.”
Clark Prep also received a component grade of “F” in the gap closing category. Out of the four categories Clark Prep was graded in, the school received a component grade of “F” in all but the improving at-risk K-3 readers.
The improving at-risk K-3 readers category looks at how successful the school is at improving at-risk K-3 readers, according to the Ohio Department of Education. Clark Prep received a component grade of “D” in the category.
The Springfield News-Sun reached out to Clark Prep for a comment on their grade, but did not receive a response.
The school has a graphic on their website’s homepage under a title labeled, “State Report Cards.” The graphic referneces a survey sent to parents, students and teachers.
“100 percent of parents surveyed, are very satisfied with our school. 95 percent of students surveyed, believe their teachers truly care about them. 100 percent of staff surveyed believe they are making a positive different,” the graphic said.
Springfield City School District received an overall grade of “F” on their report card this year, falling from an overall “D” grade.
More: ‘I refuse to let the report card define us’: Springfield sueperintendent after ‘F’ grade
While other superintendents in both Clark and Champaign county have spoken out against report cards for various reasons, Wagoner said they aren’t all bad.
“The report card may have limitations, transparency is very important,” Wagoner said. “Parents should know how their schools are performing. Transparency helps families make informed decisions about their children’s education.”
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