District pleased with state test results

Associate superintendent Ann Schloss said preliminary state test results show academics are improving.

Elyria Schools associate superintendent Ann Schloss said preliminary state test results show academics improving in the district.

A benchmark to pass the state tests is 80 percent, she said.

“We’re not at 80,” Schloss said. “But we will get there sometime. Growth in all those areas is awesome.”

Schloss told the Elyria School Board she could not share percentages of pass or fail rates from the end of course exams or other state tests, because those scores are adjusted throughout the summer due to the students that do not count toward Elyria.

“As of now in 20 of the tests out of 23, we have gone up,” Schloss said. “That was huge in our eyes. In some we saw a 20 percent gain. Without knowing the exact percentages, what it does tell us is we’re doing the right things. What we always talk about is small sustainable growth. A lot of them are around five to eight percent. That’s really what sticks.”

A bright spot was math, she said.

“This year was our first full year with the math program, our second year with the pilot, Envision 2.0, and at the elementary our math scores were notably higher,” Schloss said. “This is the same program we are just purchasing for the algebra, geometry and algebra II. We are really excited about the rigor of that program. While it has been a big change and a commitment of the teachers, we are seeing the results. Kudos to all the staff. It’s a team effort: parents, students, community and staff members. It’s always exciting to let everyone know we’re headed in a great direction.”

The report card comes out at the end of August or early September, Schloss said.

Elyria Schools Superintendent Dr. Tom Jama said, “As Frank (Whitfield) said tonight, and I think he said it very well, ‘What makes Elyria Schools so special is they’re inclusive of everyone.’

“It’s just nice when Ann called me yesterday to get that affirmation,” Jama said, adding he notices every day positive things happening in classrooms. “It’s great to know the results are showing it as well. Its something to be very proud of.”

The district can talk about what is working, he said.

“We’re sharing the good, the bad and the ugly,” Jama said. “When we do have issues, we address them. When we have great gains and great news, we’re going to celebrate them as well.”

Schloss looks for improvements to continue, she said.

“Growth in all those areas is awesome,” Schloss said. “We’re really excited.”