Columbus Dispatch
Ohio’s public schools rate 12th in U.S. with B- grade
By Catherine Candisky
Friday January 11, 2013 

Ohio’s public school system earned a better grade on the nation’s report card this year, but the state’s rank — fifth in the nation three years ago — fell to 12th. 

Education Week’s Quality Counts 2013 gave Ohio schools a B-. 

For the fifth year, Maryland ranked first in the nation with a B+, followed by Massachusetts, New York and Virginia, all earning Bs. South Dakota ranked last with a D+. 

The national average was C+. 

“We’re pleased to be rated 12th and to be among the top states,” said John Charlton, spokesman for the Ohio Department of Education. “But the overall grade of a B- reassures that we have more to do. We are already addressing some areas.” 

Ohio got its lowest mark, a D-, for how well high-school graduates are prepared for college. Charlton noted that several state initiatives are on the way, including ones aimed at reducing the number of students requiring remedial coursework in college. 

State lawmakers also recently approved several laws aimed at improving schools. In the coming years, students will face more-rigorous curriculum standards, tougher assessments and end-of-course exams. There also will be a third-grade reading guarantee, which will prevent youngsters not reading at grade level from moving on to the fourth grade, with some exceptions. New A-F state report cards for schools and districts also will be implemented later this year. 

Ohio earned some of its best marks for strong curriculum standards and student assessments, but ranked 40th in the nation for disparities in spending across school districts and 39th for differences in per-student spending. 

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