Accountability measures will serve all Ohio students

shaping America’s future.

A recent survey revealed that Latino parents place a great value on education, and we are proud that Latino high school graduation rates are trending upward in the U.S. Yet across the country, millions of students enroll in college every year only to learn that they need to take remedial classes that will not count toward their degrees because they cover material students should have learned in high school. According to the 2016 Remedial Education report, these remedial courses cost students and their families serious money — about $1.3 billion across the 50 states and the District of Columbia every year. For most of these students, remediation will be their first and last college experience — a reality that is disproportionally true for low-income students and students of color.

Across the United States, research shows 40 percent to 60 percent of first-year college students require remediation in English, math or both. Remedial classes increase students’ time to degree attainment and decrease their likelihood of completion. While rates vary depending on the source, on-time completion rates of students who take remedial classes are consistently less than 10 percent. This is an educational travesty, but there is a way forward.

I’m proud to say Ohio is taking steps to ensure that our high school graduates, by the time they earn their diplomas, will be prepared for college or career. Ohio recently submitted its education accountability plan to the U.S. Department of Education in compliance with the Every Student Succeeds Act. This law, which passed with broad bipartisan support, requires states to submit customized plans explaining their vision, goals and specific plans for educational improvement. States have flexibility to design their own accountability measurements, which is good. Ohio seized the opportunity to design accountability measurements which represent all student groups, including English learners.

Unlike many other states, an independent peer review of Ohio’s education accountability plans (published at CheckStatePlans.org) awarded our state plan the highest rating in 4 of 5 categories. The Ohio Department of Education is prioritizing the progress of English learners and other student groups within its accountability plan. High standards and goals are necessary, as is measurement of progress toward those goals. Ohio’s accountability measures will guide us toward improvements that result in excellent education opportunities for all students.

This November, Ohioans will choose a new governor who will either make crucial appointments to the State Board of Education or, pending the results of this legislative session and House Bill 512, have new, expanded authority over education in the state. Either way, as with all elections, there is potential for turnover and for plan changes or issues with implementation of our state’s solid education plans. I encourage Ohio’s voters to express their support for our excellent education accountability measures so that we can hold the line on what is good.

As freshmen enter Ashland University each year, we are reminded that Ohio’s investment in public and independent schools’ success is more than a good idea; it’s justice in action. Minority students are not just the new majority in our schools; they’re the leaders of tomorrow’s congregations, communities and our precious country.