Public School Report Card

[amnda527]

I'm pregnant with our first, and I'm already thinking about schools. We will move to a different area by the time this baby is old enough to start K. So, I was trying to look for a listing of schools in Ohio and their rankings, but I'm not having any luck! I've tried googling Ohio schools report card and other similar things, but I'm not getting anything genuine. Does anyone know of a trusty site where I can find this info?? Thanks!

[ChristaN]

I'd try http://www.greatschools.net/

[wildmonkeys]

To find a local report card, I would try giving a local real estate agency a call, they could probably direct you to the site for your state's report card.

BJ
Barney & Ben & #3 edd 3/3/2007

[udonandbroth]

we live in SE Pennsylvaina and I was able to find all kinds of information about the local schools by going to the big newspaper in our area's (The Philadelphia Inquirer) website and they have this cool interactive map which gives all sorts of info there. I would try the big newspaper in your area's website. HTH

[Liz]

Originally Posted by amnda527

I'm pregnant with our first, and I'm already thinking about schools. We will move to a different area by the time this baby is old enough to start K. So, I was trying to look for a listing of schools in Ohio and their rankings, but I'm not having any luck! I've tried googling Ohio schools report card and other similar things, but I'm not getting anything genuine. Does anyone know of a trusty site where I can find this info?? Thanks!

Just keep in mind that these rankings are not always (I'd actually say never) accurate. I know in our area the school that gets the highest ranking does so by using dubious methods (kids whose first language is not English do not write the test). My son's school gets a low ranking because it's very small (<200 students K-6) so the statistics get thrown off very easily AND they encourage everybody to take the tests even if they know they wil not do well. Some studies have shown that small schools are preferable and these schools will not fair well in these rankings. SO in the end you still have to get out here and talk to people. Start with parents, then go to the principals, finally teachers. But you don't have to worry about it yet! Liz

[1xmom]

ITA w/Liz. My dd's school isn't ranked as high as I thought, but the thing is we have a magnet program, but we are also a Title I school so that puts us lower as well. I've also talked to parents from higher ranking schools and what they don't say is that one of our top schools will be losing well over 50% of their teachers next year due to retirement, therefore some of the parents are hoping that the direction of the school doesn't change. The bottom line for me is, the more involved the parents are in their child(ren's) education the better they do. I am friends w/a parent at one of the higher ranking school, and she has just as many problems/frustrations that parents at my dd's school has.

[jennifercp8]

I agree with some PP's - the middle school I taught at had the lowest scores in the district, but we had the BEST performing and creative arts programs. We had full time drama (the only one), 3 full time music teachers (the only other one that was close was 1.5 FTE), and offered computers, home ec, art, and general music on top of choir, band, and orchestra. Our principal stated that she felt it was more important for students to have a "round" education, and would stand behind and support her arts programs instead of cutting them. Those kids were definitely thriving and doing well, we were just *slightly* behind.

I hate school report cards.... I don't think they say much about a school. They never take demographics, course offerings, and quality of those programs into consideration.

[pigletz]

The Ohio Deptartment of Education website has the report cards. I can't think of the address right now but it shouldn't be hard to find. Once you get to the main page just click on the picture of the report card. I agree with the previous posters who said that the report cards don't have the most accurate info on student performance.

[philomom]

I always use the test scores as a starting point. Then, I get out there and interview principals and staff. Do observations. Talk to your local real estate agents. No one on Mdc likes to talk about this; but schools are better in upper class neighborhoods. Better to own a modest home in a great school district than own a mansion where you have to drive your kids past the local school to attend a private one. Also, your home will maintain or increase in value over the years if you are in a great school neighborhood.

[ChristaN]

I'd agree with you, but I am finding that test scores don't mean as much as I initially thought, though. Our neighborhood school has pretty good test scores, but some of the teachers with the highest scores achieve this by taking a drill sargeant approach. They start practicing timed drills in 1st grade and constantly go over flash cards and most of the work is rote memorization. Critical thinking skills and higher level learning is totally lost in the process.

[philomom]

Hmm, ChristaN I don't agree. I'd rather teach my child critical thinking skills than have them miss out on all the other extras that a well funded school can provide. Such as a second lang., a real music program, a school nurse, excellent field trips, a real art program with good materials, and many other juicy bits that other schools can't possibly scrape up.

Like I said, better to own a modest home in a fabulous school neighborhood than the alternatives.

[1xmom]

I agree w/ChristaN in that the test scores aren't always what they are cracked up to be. I know for a fact that w/one of the schools in the "fabulous" neighborhood the parents have their children tutored from the minute they can talk. It's all about getting a edge on everyone else. Some of the kids are shown and expect favortisim b/c their dad is this or their grandfather is a prominent person in the community, etc. Personally, I don't want my child to feel like she is not good enough b/c I don't have a six figure salary. Parents are competing against each other and the kids are the ones that have to pay for it. It's pretty sad.
Bottom line is, you have to really look at the school and talk to some parents that have had experiences at whatever school you are interested in. Then again, you sometimes have to wait and see what your child is really into, especially if your county offers magnet programs that focuses on different things.

[Liz]

I don't know how they do the ranking in the States but in Toronto the highest ranked schools are definitely not all in the the best neighbourhoods. The school across the street is ranked #72 in Canada and the students are primarily from low income immigrant families. The school in Rosedale, the richest neighbourhood in the city, is ranked #250. BUT, as I mentioned before, it's a very small school and they are statistically at a disadvantage.

Is funding in the States tied to a school's ranking? That is criminal.

Liz

[ChristaN]

Originally Posted by Liz

Is funding in the States tied to a school's ranking? That is criminal.

Liz

No, but funding is tied to the property taxes in the neighborhood in which it is located.