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Public can weigh districts' figures on students taking ACT, college-credit classes
By Stephanie Warsmith
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Thursday, Sep 13, 2007
Canton city school officials looked a few years ago at the number of students taking the ACT college entrance exam and were troubled. It was low compared with other districts' rates.
So for the second year in a row, about 100 students will ride a bus Saturday to Sharon, Pa., for an extra opportunity to take the exam.
The district realized that many students were skipping Ohio's first fall administration of the ACT because it fell on the same day as the annual high school football game between archrivals Canton McKinley and Massillon Washington.
The 90-minute trip just across the Pennsylvania line a trip paid for with grant money and donations eliminated the game-day conflict.
For years, Ohio school officials have been analyzing whether they adequately prepare students for college. Some districts such as Canton have been creative in their attempts to do better, and some have not.
Now, for the first time, the public has access to the same data and can make similar comparisons and draw conclusions.
Annual report cards released in late August by the Ohio Department of Education include statistics such as the percentage of graduates sitting for the ACT and SAT, the number of Advanced Placement tests taken, and the number of students in post-secondary enrollment options (PSEO).
A State Board of Education committee studying the quality of education in Ohio high schools recommended the data be added.
''We've had a lot of parents talking to the board, complaining about districts not offering AP or PSEO courses and wanting to know what to do about it,'' said Carl Wick, the state board member heading the high school committee. ''One of our motives is to ex pose this and see if schools are willing to improve what they're offering.''
A Beacon Journal analysis of the report card data showed results that differ greatly among local districts.
Rittman had the lowest ACT participation rate 36.5 percent of students took the exam while Manchester had the highest: 88.6 percent.
Jackson and North Canton were two larger area districts that saw nearly 80 percent of their graduates take the ACT.
Many districts had no students taking Advanced Placement courses or post-secondary enrollment options, which are college-credit courses a student takes while in high school.
School leaders attribute the disparity to different socioeconomic levels, financial problems forcing cuts of programs and courses, and the varying expectations of students about college.
Many area districts are trying new techniques to better prepare their students for life after high school.
Changing attitudes
Rittman leaders weren't surprised by the district's low rate of ACT participation because, they said, there's not an expectation that many students will go to college.
''We've not had a lot of students directed toward a college education,'' said Superintendent Butch Ullman. ''I know how important that is. They need additional training or skills.''
Rittman eliminated two AP courses several years ago because of a lack of interest. The district did, however, have 13 students take a PSEO course; the district's percentage was the highest in the area, according to the report card data, which is from the 2005-06 school year.
Ullman said there are efforts to turn around attitudes about going to college.
He also blamed the district's low median income about $35,000 which he said makes paying for college difficult. ''I can't go out and sign up for a college loan for a kid whose parents don't have the resources,'' he said.
Springfield had the fifth-lowest rate of ACT participation in the area and the lowest among Summit County districts: 45.2 percent.
''We are not satisfied with that percentage,'' said Ann Phillips, the district's curriculum director.
Like Rittman, Springfield also has a low median income, about $29,000. Plus, only about 15 percent of the district's residents have a college degree, according to Census Bureau data.
Phillips said the district needs to educate people about how to get their children into college and how to pay for it, such as with financial aid.
''People hear, 'It's X amount of dollars,' and say, 'There's no way I can afford to do that,''' she said.
Coventry also had a low ACT participation: 51.1 percent.
''We want to see more students participating in that area,'' said Lisa Blough, the district's director of curriculum and instruction.
The report card data show that Coventry offered no AP courses, which is no longer true. The district had to eliminate its AP classes about 10 years ago because of budget problems. Last year, the district brought back AP English it remains this year and hopes to add three more AP classes eventually.
Springfield and Coventry are listed in the report card data as having no PSEO courses, which school leaders say is incorrect. Springfield leaders say the district had 11 students enrolled in such courses, while Coventry had about 20. The districts plan to make sure that is corrected on next year's report card.
Top-ranked schools
Hudson and North Canton are two of the local districts that excelled on the new report card data.
Hudson had the highest average ACT score and SAT participation rate and was among the top five local districts in the number of AP tests taken by graduates.
The district saw more graduates take the SAT than the ACT, which is unusual in the area. Hudson school leaders said most students apply to private and out-of-state colleges, which require the SAT. Public colleges in Ohio mainly rely on the ACT.
Students going on to college is viewed by Hudson parents, teachers and students as the norm, said Patricia Picard, the district's director of teaching and learning.
''Competition here is strong,'' said Picard, who shared the new high school data at a recent school board meeting.
Hudson is offering 16 AP courses this year, plans to add another course next year, and is considering two more.
The district is encouraging more students not just the highest achievers to take these classes.
''The more students who encounter rigorous courses, the better,'' said Picard, adding that more Hudson students take AP than PSEO courses because of the high quality of the AP classes. ''Future success in college is more closely tied to that than to an entrance test.''
Among local districts, North Canton had the highest percentage of graduates 43.3 who received an honors diploma. This was the 12th highest in Ohio. The state outlines the rigorous requirements for these special diplomas.
North Canton had 79 percent of graduates take the ACT fourth highest in the area.
''I think there's a high expectation from a lot of parents that kids will go to college,'' said Peggy McClain, the district's curriculum director.
The district is offering 13 AP courses, and many students take four or five.
Hudson and North Canton leaders acknowledge that their students have a wealth of opportunities in high school.
''We have a lot of things others don't have,'' said Picard, who once worked in Cleveland. ''Sometimes I think people assume we take these things for granted in a high-wealth district. Not for a second. Our colleagues working under tough situations are to be respected.''
Urban districts
Among the Big 8 urban districts, Akron and Canton had areas in the new high school data in which they excelled, and others in which they didn't.
Canton, the second-smallest of the eight, had the highest ACT participation rate: 53 percent. Akron, the fourth-largest of the eight, ranked fifth with 49.5 percent.
Canton and Akron ranked first and second among the eight in the number of graduates taking at least one PSEO course.
Akron ranked fourth and Canton sixth among the eight in the number of AP tests taken by graduates.
Both Akron and Canton have struggled in recent years with budget problems, although school leaders say the districts tried to keep cuts away from the classroom.
In Akron, the elimination of AP courses was considered in 2006 amid a financial crunch, but those classes were spared. The district is offering 13 AP courses this year.
''I think it's real important that we deal with kids in the higher level of content and offer that,'' said Sue Long, Akron's assistant superintendent.
Akron voters approved an operating levy in November, and many past cuts were restored.
Canton, which recently reduced its budget because of strained finances, will be on the ballot in November with an operating levy. The district might have to make $10 million in cuts, which could include closing and combining some schools, said Superintendent Michele Evans-Gardell.
The district hopes to stay away from cutting courses and programs that help prepare students for college, Evans-Gardell said. ''We absolutely do not want to decrease opportunities for kids,'' she said.
Some steps, such as the bus trip to Pennsylvania for the ACT, won't cost the district.
Jeff Talbert, principal of McKinley High, said the trip has been well-received by the community, which understands the intense football feud with Washington High. Next year, he said, Canton plans to challenge Massillon to see which district can get more students to go on the ACT bus trip.
''This would be something great to add to the rivalry,'' he said.
Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at 330-996-3705 or swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com. David Knox, manager of computer-assisted reporting, contributed to this story.
Canton city school officials looked a few years ago at the number of students taking the ACT college entrance exam and were troubled. It was low compared with other districts' rates.
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