After discussion on maintaining high standards, Board lowers standards

Following a discussion on the need to maintain high standards, the State Board of Education voted 11-5 to lower standards on two new state math exams that produced lower scores than expected.

The lower standards mean that more students will be considered “proficient” on the new tests.

On the new state geometry test, the percentage of students considered “proficient” will effectively be raised from 24 percent to 54 percent, and the percentage on the math II test will be raised from 21 percent to 35 percent.

Board member Tina Fiori, of Northridge Local Schools, spoke out against the lowered standards, saying they would obscure how districts are really doing.

“I’m willing to take the lumps for my district and say we missed the mark,” Fiori said. “To hide that (the scores) were that bad so the Department of Education doesn’t look like they chose a bad test, to me that’s deceitful. That’s misleading.”

Other board members said the lowered standards don’t go far enough to ensure students graduate, since most jobs require a high school diploma.

6/14/16: Board to lower math standards after low scores

After Ohio students scored lower than expected on two new state math exams, the State Board of Education will likely lower the bar for what it takes to be considered “proficient.”

On the geometry test, only 24 percent of students scored “proficient” or above, while officials predicted that number would be 59 percent. The math II test showed a similar disparity. 21 percent scored proficient, but a number closer to 56 percent was expected.

Some say the tests are too hard, while others question whether or not the tests will accurately measure a student’s preparedness for college or a job if standards are lowered.

If lower scores are accepted, 52 percent of students would be considered proficient in geometry and 35 percent in math II.

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