School Officials Explain New Law, State Report Cards

Just as the ink was drying on the Brecksville-Broadview Heights School District's official “Excellent With Distinction” recognition on the annual report card, lawmakers in Columbus are planning to restructure the process.

Carla Calevich, the district’s director of curriculum and instruction, told the board of education about the new legislation at Monday night’s meeting. 

House Bill 555 will require a new report card for all districts and schools in Ohio.

And instead of categories such as “excellent” and “continuous improvement,” it will be a straight letter grade.

It looks as if the district would have gotten an “A” for the 2011-12 school year if the new report cards would've been issued.

“Some aspects are already in effect,” said Calevich. “It’s far-reaching legislation because of what it entails.”

It’s more than a letter grade, she added.

The new law would require some teachers to obtain a masters degree. They’d also need to “pass a rigorous assessment in 2014,” with teacher performance making up 50 percent of the evaluation and student achievement accounting for the other 50 percent.

“Next year, every teacher in every school system must be evaluated,” said Calevich. “This evaluation is much more prescriptive and much more work for school administrators.”

To see all of Calevich’s presentation, click here.