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New indicators in social studies and science on the state's report card are proving difficult for local students and could cause some districts to receive a lower rating from the state this year, according to preliminary test results from the Ohio Department of Education.

Five categories were added this year to the report card, Ohio's system for measuring a school district's success. The new categories are fifth-grade science and social studies, seventh-grade writing and eighth-grade science and social studies.

Preliminary report card data from Ohio's two standardized tests — the Ohio Achievement Test for grades three to eight and the Ohio Graduation Test for high school students — is released by the Ohio Department of Education, but is not endorsed because it has not been verified by local school districts and could change before the final report cards are released Aug. 14.

In order for a district to meet an indicator, 75 percent of students tested must score at proficient or higher. There are 30 indicators on the 2006-07 report card, but results have been released for only 23 standards.

The preliminary data shows that science and social studies indicators are the most commonly missed standards for local districts, especially this year's new tests in eight- and fifth-grade science and social studies.

All area districts missed the indicator in eighth-grade social studies; eight of the nine districts missed the indicator in fifth-grade math and social studies and seven missed the indicator in eighth-grade science, according to the preliminary data.

The missed indicator could be attributed to the test being in its pilot year or that districts need to examine instruction or curriculum, according to local officials.

Monroe Superintendent Arnol Elam said only 48 percent of students statewide passed the eighth-grade science tests.

"If I had a teacher that gave a test and only 48 percent of the students passed, I would expect that teacher to throw that test away and reteach, and give another test because obviously they didn't test what they taught," he said. "I believe the state ought to do the same thing; they obviously gave a test that (wasn't) in line with the standards that the schools in the state of Ohio were teaching.

"It was appalling to me that they would give a test that only 48 percent of people and the kids in Ohio could pass; obviously the standards weren't in line with the curriculum that schools in Ohio thought they were teaching. I don't think it's fair."

Districts may need to continue to examine their curriculum and instruction to make sure it is aligned with state standards, said Evelyn Altherr, assistant superintendent for learning in Middletown.

"It could be the test itself," said Madison Superintendent Chris Cline. "It could be that no one's used to the test — that sometimes is an issue."

Edgewood spokesman John Thomas said he thinks Ohio students had problems with social studies because it's a new test.

"They haven't done social studies in the past — so a lot of times when the test first comes out then obviously the standardized test is telling you that maybe you need to look a little differently at your curriculum," he said. "Now if it's just conductive to one school then that's a different story."

Until the scores are finalized by local districts at the end of July and officially released and endorsed in August by the state department of education, local districts' ratings are still up in the air. There are five ratings: excellent, effective, continuous improvement, academic watch and academic emergency.

"Until they publish the actual report card, we really don't know," Cline said. "I never count these things until I actually see the report card."

Ratings are based on more than just the indicators. Meeting adequate yearly progress, a measure used to assess progress by traditionally lower-performing subgroups such as students with disabilities, and the performance index score, which measures the average score of all district students on all achievement tests on a scale of 120, also play a role in determining the rating.

Area schools get their preliminary state report cards

Carlisle

Last year ... Carlisle Local Schools earned an effective rating, meeting 19 of the 25 indicators on the 2005-06 report card, with a performance index score of 94.1. Adequate Yearly Progress goals were not met.

The preliminary results ... show that Carlisle Local Schools did not meet 9 of the 23 indicators released.

What they said ... Carlisle officials could not be reached for comment.

Edgewood

Last year ... Edgewood City Schools met 23 of the 25 indicators, earning an effective rating for 2005-06. The performance index score was 97.5 and AYP goals were not met.

The preliminary results ... show that Edgewood schools did not meet 4 of the 23 indicators released.

What they said ... District spokesman John Thomas said that the district had not met either 4 or 5 of the 30 indicators on the 2006-07 report card.

Franklin

Last year ... Franklin City Schools earned an effective rating, meeting 19 of the 25 indicators, with a performance index of 92 and did not meet AYP goals.

The preliminary results ... show that Franklin schools did not meet 6 of the 23 indicators released.

What they said ... Steve Buerschen, director of educational services, said he believes Franklin will keep its effective rating. He said all of Franklin's buildings will have met AYP goals, but he could not comment on indicators missed because information is not official until August, and Franklin is very close to the 75 percent benchmark in many areas.

Lebanon

Last year ... Lebanon City Schools met 24 of 25 indicators, earning an excellent rating. The performance index score was 99.9 and AYP goals were not met.

The preliminary results ... show that Lebanon schools did not meet 3 of the 23 indicators released.

What they said ... Officials from Lebanon could not be reached for comment.

Madison

Last year ... Madison Local Schools earned an effective rating, with a performance index of 94.5 and 18 indicators met. The district did not meet AYP goals.

The preliminary results ... show that Madison schools did not meet 12 of the 23 indicators released.

What they said ... Superintendent Chris Cline said the district did not meet 12 indicators. Attendance and graduation rate indicators were met, he said, and the district expected to either maintain its effective rating or receive a continuous improvement rating.

Middletown

Last year ... Middletown City Schools earned a continuous improvement rating, meeting 7 of the 25 standards, with a performance index of 84.8. AYP goals were not met.

The preliminary results ... show that Middletown schools did not meet 21 of the 23 indicators released.

What they said ... Assistant Superintendent for Student Learning Evelyn Altherr said that the district has definitely met 6 of 30 indicators on the report card. Two more indicators were close to the benchmark and could also be met.

Monroe

Last year ... Monroe Local Schools earned an effective rating, meeting 23 of the 25 indicators, with a performance index of 99.3. The district did not meet AYP goals.

The preliminary results ... show that Monroe schools did not meet 5 of the 23 indicators released.

What they said ... Superintendent Arnol Elam said the district missed only 4 of the 23 indicators released after district verification. He said the ODE said that the district met 26 out of 30 indicators, including attendance and graduation goals. The overall district rating is effective. The high school received an excellent rating and the elementary and junior high were rated effective.

Preble Shawnee

Last year ... Preble Shawnee Local Schools earned a continuous improvement rating, meeting 16 of the 25 indicators. The performance index score was 91.7 and the district did not meet AYP standards.

The preliminary results ... show that Preble Shawnee schools did not met 16 of the 23 indicators released.

What they said ... Officials could not be reached for comment.

Valley View

Last year ... Valley View Local Schools met 22 of the 25 indicators, earning an effective rating. The performance index was 98.7 and AYP goals were met.

The preliminary results ... Valley View schools did not meet 7 of the 23 indicators released.

What they said ... Officials could not be reached for comment.