Kent Schools Mid-Pack in 2011 State Performance Index

The ranked about mid-pack on a new performance listing of 936 Ohio schools.

Kent ranked at 442 on this latest performance index ranking for districts and schools established by the Ohio Department of Education. Kent ranked below eight other Portage County schools, including Aurora City Schools, which earned the 19th spot on the list.

"Performance index is actually one component of the ," said Dennis Evans, Ohio Department of Education public information officer. "There are other measures on the report card as well."

The performance index scores are different than those on the last report cards because this report used updated data on state testing. Scores are based on how well each student does on all tested subjects in grades three to eight on Ohio’s Achievement Assessments and on the 10th grade Ohio Graduation Test. Students at all levels – advanced, accelerated, proficient, basic and limited – are included. The percentage of students scoring at each level is calculated and multiplied by the point value assigned to that performance level and the levels are totaled to determine overall score.

"It's a pretty simple formula," Evans said.

Evans stressed that the rankings released so far are preliminary. The final ranking released next year will also incorporate data on the amount of money devoted to classroom instruction and opportunities provided to gifted students.

"Going forward, the ranking will be based on other criteria as well. What we released last week is actually a preview," he said.

The other eight Portage County schools that ranked above Kent, and their positions, are:

• Aurora City Schools; 19
• Field Local Schools Falcon Academy of Creative Arts; 74
• James A. Garfield Local Schools; 153
• Rootstown Local Schools; 205
• Crestwood Local Schools; 280
• Waterloo Local Schools; 286
• Field Local Schools; 380
• Streetsboro City Schools; 428