States Release School Report Cards (and the Results Aren’t Good)

<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW158888323 BCX4"> <p><span data-contrast="none">In September, most U.S. states released their public school “report cards.” These reports are intended to evaluate for parents, community leaders, and policymakers the quality of education being offered across the state. By</span> <a href= "https://oese.ed.gov/files/2020/02/parent-guide-state-local-report-cards.pdf"> <span data-contrast="none">federal law</span></a><span data-contrast="none">, report cards must measure academic performance and graduation rates. Of course, these assessments are only helpful if they make sense. Many don’t. </span><span data-ccp-props= "{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":480}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="none">For example, Ohio’s Department of Education, following a few other states, recently</span> <a href= "https://www.statenews.org/government-politics/2021-10-14/ohios-schools-will-never-again-get-letter-grades-on-their-report-cards"> <span data-contrast="none">stopped using letter grades</span></a> <span data-contrast="none">on its statewide school report cards. Among the reasons is that lawmakers thought that an “F” just sounded too harsh. Now, the</span> <a href= "https://education.ohio.gov/getattachment/Topics/Data/Report-Card-Resources/2023-Report-Card-Guide.pdf.aspx?lang=en-US"> <span data-contrast="none">Ohio school report card is based on a “star” system.</span></a> <span data-contrast="none">However, like real stars that seem to float in midair, the star system is based on a made-up and confusing “point” system. According to the chart that “explains” the scores, 4.5 stars may be equal to 4.125 points but not lower than 3.625 points.</span> <span data-ccp-props= "{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":480}">  </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="none">U.S. schools were struggling before the pandemic, and</span> <span data-contrast="none"><a href= "https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/highlights/ltt/2022/">they haven’t gotten much better</a>.</s