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The Daily Standard
State superintendent
says Ohio education 'first-rate'
DeMaria meets with local officials on ways to improve education
COLDWATER - State schools superintendent Paolo DeMaria visited local
superintendents Tuesday morning to discuss education issues and how
people from his department can better connect with local officials.
Inside Coldwater High School's Cav room, DeMaria said he thinks Ohio
has a first-rate education system but officials are always striving to
improve.
"Improvement is everybody's business," he said. "Crown (Equipment
Corp.) is constantly looking for ways to improve. The Cleveland
Cavaliers are constantly looking for ways to improve. The Cleveland
Browns are, hopefully, looking for ways to improve."
DeMaria said he is working to bridge the gap between the ODE and area
school districts, adding state and local officials must cooperate if
education "is ever going to improve."
He said he's puzzled that some high-performing districts are right next
door to less successful districts. To help fix this, he wants
neighboring school districts to work together.
The visit will help him understand local education issues, he added.
One problem DeMaria said he's found is changing curriculum to adapt to
more rigorous requirements for graduates in 2018 and beyond.
According to the ODE, the new requirements give students more ways to
succeed in school and prepare them for their futures.
"We saw too many students were going to college and finding they need
remediation, or they were going into the workforce and finding that
they didn't have the skills to be successful," he said.
Celina superintendent Ken Schmiesing voiced his concern that the
transition may affect graduation rates. In response, DeMaria said every
transition is going to encounter roadblocks.
Graduation rates may decline, DeMaria said, but over time, he expects
the rates to return to normal or improve.
Under the new graduation requirements, students must earn at least 20
credits. Additionally, students must complete at least one of three
requirements. One is passing the Ohio State tests. Another option is
passing a college career-readiness test, such as the ACT or SAT.
Students also can pursue a career-tech path by earning an
industry-recognized credential to obtain a diploma and join the
workforce.
As of late, DeMaria said "our culture has come to think of career tech
is a lesser path.
"Over the next five or 10 years, there are going to be many students
who understand the power of career tech and the general public is going
to recognize that it's not a lesser path," he said.
The ODE issues district report cards to give residents a "clear picture
of the progress" in raising achievement and preparing students for the
future. The cards shine a light on areas in which schools are
succeeding or they need to improve.
All in all, DeMaria said he thinks great education is happening
in the area.
"But our commitment should always be to improve," he said.
After the meeting, Coldwater superintendent Jason Wood said it was an
honor to host DeMaria. Throughout the day, DeMaria visited other
schools in Mercer and Auglaize counties and also the New Bremen Crown
facility.
Read this and other articles at The Daily Standard
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