Ross Local Schools kept high rankings amid new state report-card component; early literacy flagged as area for focus
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Summary
District officials told the board that Ross Local Schools received three stars overall on the Ohio report card, ranked 88th of 608 districts and that early literacy (K–3) slipped because kindergarten readiness fell below the prior-year threshold.
The Ross Local School District board received its state report-card presentation Wednesday and heard administrators describe steady academic performance across the district, new areas of accountability and steps the district is taking to improve early literacy and career readiness.
Evelyn (presenter) told the board the district "actually received 3 stars" on the overall report card after the state added a new college, career, workforce and military readiness (CCWMR) component worth 12.5 percent of the total. "For year 1 of never being rated on this component, I'm really proud of that," she said.
Districtwide, Ross ranked 88th out of 608 Ohio school districts — placing it roughly in the top 15 percent statewide — and was the highest-performing district in Butler County, the presenter said. Specific building results included Morgan Elementary and two other buildings earning 5-star ratings; the district highlighted Morgan Elementary as having the highest performance index (PI) in the county.
Administrators explained how the report-card components are calculated: achievement and progress are the largest components at 25 percent; several other components — including CCWMR, gap closing, early literacy, and graduation measures — are each 12.5 percent. The CCWMR component counts a range of indicators, including ACT remediation-free scores; Evelyn said high participation alone will not secure points if students do not meet remediation-free thresholds.
The district’s performance index (PI) stood at about 89.3 percent for the measured component, "which is 0.7% away from 5 stars," the presenter said, and noted the district’s steady multi-year PI gains. She also detailed that early literacy declined because the improving K–3 literacy component was not calculated last year; this year it opened because under the state rule the district’s kindergarten-on-track rate fell into the high 80s rather than the 90 percent threshold needed to omit the component.
The board heard specifics about kindergarten screening and interventions: students identified as "off track" in K–3 are placed on a Reading Improvement Monitoring Plan (RIMP), and the district has extended RIMP monitoring through sixth grade for cohorts who began the program earlier. Evelyn said the district is purchasing touchscreen Chromebooks for kindergarteners and expanding intervention and MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) to improve on-track rates.
The presentation also highlighted the district’s graduation measures (four- and five-year rates) and new partnerships to boost workforce opportunities. The district has joined the Greater Cincinnati Business Advisory Council through the Hamilton County Educational Service Center to support internships and career experiences for juniors and seniors.
Board members praised the staff and asked clarifying questions about how local assessments relate to state tests; administrators said local MAP results are used to project likely Ohio State Test (OST) outcomes via correlation reports but OST scores determine the state report card metrics.
No formal action was required; administrators said they will continue to monitor K–3 readiness, expand targeted interventions and pursue partnerships and staffing (including a gifted intervention specialist) to support MTSS and CCWMR goals.
