Ohio

These Ohio schools rank the worst for student progress, state data shows

By Sundi Rose

When parents and policymakers look at school report cards, test scores often get the most attention. But another metric, Value-Added (VA), measures things beyond scores and grades.

In dozens of Ohio districts the VA data is trending downward and students are making far less academic progress than the state expects and in some cases, losing months of learning time.

What does “value added” measure in Ohio?

The Ohio Department of Education’s 2024 Value-Added rankings aim to measure growth data across multiple years.

Adding value includes:

  • Growth not proficiency: How much academic progress students make in a year compared to expected growth, rather than just whether they’re on grade level.
  • Progress over time: Learning gains from one year to the next using prior test scores to set expectations.
  • Starting point controls: Students’ achievement compared to similar peers statewide.
  • Teacher/district impact: Isolates contribution of instruction and school environment. 

This year’s data reveal some troubling trends for a number of districts across the state, where students are progressing significantly less than their peers elsewhere.

The bottom of the Ohio list

Based on VA index rankings, out of the 846 districts, these schools landed in the bottom.

Public school districts with the lowest growth:

  • 846: Ohio Virtual Academy (Lucas Co.) 
  • 842: Fairland Local (Lawrence Co.) 831: Gallia County Local (Gallia Co.) 
  • 603: Eastland Preparatory Academy (Franklin Co.) 
  • 559: Marion City (Marion Co.) 
  • 572: Lockland Local (Hamilton Co.) 

Community Schools and charters with the steepest drops:

  • 845: Alternative Education Academy (Summit Co.) 
  • 843: Great River Connections Academy (Franklin Co.)
  • 842: Victory Academy of Toledo (Lucas Co.)
  • 838: Cincinnati Classical Academy (Hamilton Co.) 
  • 818: Kids Care Elementary (Franklin Co.)

Value-Added isn’t the only measure of a school’s success, but it is one of the clearest indicators of whether kids are learning more over time. Ohio’s 2024 Value-Added data show a sharp divide, with some districts accelerating and others losing ground.

Is your school on this list? Email me at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on social media.

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