COLUMBUS, Ohio — School report cards were released from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce last week. The states public schools in urban areas are struggling with graduation rates and early literacy.
The state School Report Cards rank districts on a scale of five stars. For the second year in a row, Columbus City Schools scored a two of five. Dayton also scored a two. Cincinnati scored two and a half stars and Cleveland scored a three.
In Columbus, Cleveland and Dayton, fewer than half of third graders were proficient in reading.
- Columbus City Schools: 42%
- Cincinnati Public Schools: 58.32%
- Cleveland Municipal Schools: 35.8%
- Dayton City Schools: 40.6%
According to the Department of Education and Workforce and the Annie E. Casey Foundation, third grade proficiency is important because it has determined proficiency at that grade level decreases trouble learning and decreases the chances of dropping out of school later on.
It’s an issue some of Columbus’ suburban schools struggle with as well. 10TV pulled the report cards on several surrounding the city.
- Reynoldsburg City Schools: 57.3%
- South-Western City Schools: 52.1%
- Groveport Madison Local Schools: 48.9%
United Way of Central Ohio has taken an interest in improving these numbers. In 2021, the organization launched its “Success by Third Grade” mission. They link community resources with school districts and families to ensure needs are met so more focus can be spent on learning.
“We recognize that the schools in and of themselves cannot do it alone,” said Cheryl Wyatt, the Vice President of Success by Third Grade for United Way of Central Ohio. “You have to recognize in Franklin County, we are struggling with families dealing with just stable housing. The housing cost burden in Franklin County is real.”
She said without a stable home life, the focus on reading and learning goes on the back burner for many students.
Success by Third Grade is currently working with six school districts in Franklin County: Columbus City Schools, South-Western City Schools, Westerville City Schools, Whitehall City Schools, Groveport-Madison Local Schools and Reynoldsburg City Schools.
Wyatt said United Way focuses more on being a coordinator of resources and helps direct resources where they need to go.
For example, Wyatt said the non-profit The Big Bus went into Westerville with a bus converted to support tutoring in neighborhoods where students needed help.
“It's a fundamental right that we all have to be able to have, be educated and be able to prosper in, in this community,” said Wyatt. “We know it's moving the needle to being able to close gaps and create opportunities and for all of our young people in Franklin County, everyone deserves that opportunity.”
10TV reached out to Columbus City Schools about the report card and what is being done to improve reading proficiency. A district spokesperson said no one was available to comment due to September 18 being a professional development day. The district has recognized the issue of reading proficiency and has introduced programs in recent years in an effort to increase the number of students who are proficient in reading by third grade.