BY CHRISTINE WOLFF
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Ohio's 12th-graders -- including Cincinnati Public Schools' Class of '98 -- scored higher than last year's seniors on the 12th-grade proficiency test, even with the scoring bar raised.
Cincinnati's 12th-graders topped their counterparts in Ohio's seven other urban school districts, with 35 percent of CPS seniors passing all five parts -- writing, reading, math, citizenship and science. Next highest among Ohio's urban districts were Canton and Toledo, with 24 percent of seniors passing the whole test, CPS officials said.
Statewide, of the 96,655 seniors tested in February, 38 percent passed all five tests. Using the 1998 higher scoring standards, an estimated 34 percent of Class of '97 seniors tested last year would have passed all five, according to officials with the Ohio Department of Education.
Among local suburban school districts, Wyoming and Indian Hill seniors earned the most honors-level scores: 14 percent of Wyoming's seniors and 13 percent of Indian Hill's seniors will receive special recognition from the state for scoring in the honors category.
"We think our kids took the test seriously," said Ken Baker, principal of Wyoming High School. "It is difficult to take a senior in February and say, "This is one more test you have to take that's not a requirement for graduation.' We are fortunate at Wyoming that our kids are competitive."
Of Cincinnati's seniors, 3 percent scored at honors level, tops among the urban districts.
Cincinnati students still need to improve, but the 12th-grade scores are worth applauding, Superintendent J. Michael Brandt said.
" . . . These scores -- highest among the large cities, gains in four of the five test areas and a 6 percent increase for students passing all sections -- give parents a sign of hope that more of their students are achieving at high levels," Mr. Brandt said.
Passing the 12th-grade test -- started in 1994 and one of four state-mandated proficiency tests -- is not required for graduation. Students must, however, pass Ohio's ninth-grade proficiency test to receive a diploma.
A primary purpose of the 12th-grade test is to help districts assess exiting seniors, said Tom Bulgrin, who oversees the 12th-grade test for the department of education.
Only seniors who have passed all sections of the ninth-grade test take the 12th-grade version. Exemptions to forgo taking the 12th-grade test also include students in special-education classes and students under suspension.
The 12th-grade test was harder to pass this year because state officials used new grading standards for reading, math and citizenship. Students had to answer more questions correctly this time to pass.
Raising the scoring standards -- they were raised in '96, too -- bothered many district officials, mainly, they said, because it skewed the results, making it difficult to chart a district's improvement. And, district officials said, it confuses the public.
"Every time they do that, we take a little hit," said Michael Ward, assistant superintendent of the West Clermont Local School District. "You lose a lot of young people in that gap (between new and old standards). Just give us a standard for the year 2000, and we'll work to reach that and show improvement."
After recalculating scores according to last year's standards, Cincinnati officials discovered that only CPS's reading scores fell -- and only by 1 percentage point. Writing showed the best improvement, a jump of 12 percentage points, said Kathleen Ware, a CPS assistant superintendent.
Cincinnati Public officials have made high school harder by limiting electives and restricting students' ability to pick easy courses. For example, rather than choosing between general math and algebra, all students now must take algebra.
Despite higher standards, students at Lakota's two high schools scored better than last year in writing, citizenship and science, said Rick Bateman, director of secondary curriculum. He said he was pleased with Lakota's scores, among the highest in Butler County.
"If you raise the bar, kids will perform according to how high the bar is raised," Mr. Bateman said. "We're still working on our math. We are in the process of rewriting our math curriculum."
Mike White, testing coordinator at the Princeton City School District, said the state tests have put tougher courses in front of seniors.
"Before the proficiency tests, we wouldn't be talking about science for our seniors," Mr. White said. "The fact they are sitting there taking it is the good news. I'm encouraged about that."
Reporters Dana DiFilippo, Bernie Mixon, Linda Fish-Oda and contributor Sue Kiesewetter contributed to this report.
