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(August 26, 2009) - Despite serving larger populations of historically lower performing students, traditional public schools in Ohio’s eight largest urban districts eclipse charters in exceeding value-added expectations. The percentage of urban traditional public schools that exceeded value-added expectations more than doubled this year, according to state report card data released today by the Ohio Department of Education.

Urban traditional public school districts - where the vast majority of Ohio’s charter school operations are located - serve significantly higher populations of economically disadvantaged, special education and limited English proficient students - groups of students who, historically, tend to be lower performing. In fact, urban traditional public schools serve four times as many limited English proficient students, 10 percent more economically disadvantaged students and 4 percent more special education students.

This is the first year that the state’s new value-added system effects state report card ratings. Value-added results show whether a district or school exceeds, meets or is below one year of growth for its students.

The percentage of urban traditional public schools that exceeded the value-added expectations more than doubled this year from 21.4 percent to 54.3 percent - a 154 percent rate of change. The rate at which charters in those districts exceeded value-added expectations increased by a far narrower margin, moving from 27.3 percent last year to 46.4 percent this year - a 70 percent rate of change.

“We are proud that Ohio’s public schools statewide have earned higher marks. This reflects the hard work of teachers, students, parents and communities,” said Barbara Shaner, chair of the Coalition for Public Education, a statewide alliance of education, parent and civic organizations seeking to improve public education for Ohio’s children and increase accountability to taxpayers.

“It is important to note that overall public school districts continue to outperform charter schools and that the most challenged public school districts are making significantly higher gains in student achievement,” Shaner said.

The Coalition for Public Education is a statewide alliance of education, parent and civic organizations seeking to improve public education for Ohio’s children and increase accountability to taxpayers. Chair Barbara Shaner is with the Ohio Association of School Business Officials. Vice Chairs: Patricia Frost-Brooks is with the Ohio Education Association, Rick Lewis is with the Ohio School Boards Association, Sue Taylor is with the Ohio Federation of Teachers and Debbie Tidwell is with the Ohio PTA; Treasurer Michelle Francis is with the Ohio School Boards Association.

Member organizations include: Ohio PTA, League of Women Voters of Ohio, Ohio Association of School Business Officials, Ohio School Boards Association, Ohio Coalition for Equity & Adequacy of School Funding, Buckeye Association of School Administrators, Ohio Association of Public School Employees, Cleveland Teachers Union, Akron Education Association, Cincinnati Federation of Teachers, Columbus Education Association, Ohio AFL-CIO, Ohio Federation of Teachers, Toledo Federation of Teachers, Ohio Education Association, Ohio Retired Teachers Association.

For more information, contact Lisa Zellner at 614-257-4195.