Problems with state proficiency tests were a major topic of discussion Tuesday evening during a 90-minute town hall meeting at Walnut Hills High School.

        The event, sponsored by the Ohio News Network, featured a panel of local education experts — including Cincinnati Public Schools Superintendent Steven Adamowski and State Sen. Mark Mallory, D-Cincinnati.

        About 50 people attended.

        Members of the panel agreed that they are hoping a state commission will iron out some of the wrinkles in the proficiency exams.

        David Nordyke of Harmony Community School in Bond Hill said that less than stellar test scores have been used to “vilify” certain portions of the population, specifically urban areas.

        Something needs to be done to change that, he added.

        Mr. Adamowski said the state's report card does little to acknowledge progress. It mainly focuses on a school's overall wellness, he said.

        He pointed to Vine Street Elementary School in Mount Auburn, one of the poorest schools in the district, and compared it to Sycamore Elementary, one of the richest schools in Hamilton County.

        Though Sycamore may have registered very high marks on the various proficiency exams, Vine Street has made significantly more progress regarding its test scores.

        The Governor's Commission for Student Success has been created to evaluate current accountability programs for educators and schools. It is evaluating a number of issues, including the fourth-grade Proficiency Tests and Reading Guarantee, and benchmark standards designed to spur continuous improvements.

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