Press Release

Akron Public Schools received an overall rating of Continuous Improvement on the state's 2008-09 state report card with more schools showing achievement gains.

The 2008-09 school year marks the fifth straight year APS has achieved the Continuous Improvement rating. The district met six indicators including attendance, and every building met the 95% participation rate for testing. The district saw marked improvement in mathematics scores across the grade levels.

"A Continuous Improvement rating is very descriptive of the in-depth planning and work we are doing to improve student achievement," said Superintendent David James. "Although our rating did not change, the value-added measurement shows that our students made more than a year's growth this past school year. That is a significant indicator of the analysis our teachers are continually doing to pinpoint exactly where each student needs help."

Six schools earned Excellent ratings, and five schools earned Effective ratings. These include:

• Excellent Ratings: Miller-South (Excellent With Distinction), King, Resnik CLC, Akron Early College, Hyre and Firestone
• Effective Ratings: Firestone Park, Hatton, Windemere, Litchfield and Ellet

Improved Ratings: Crouse and Robinson CLCs increased two ratings this year and are ranked in Continuous Improvement. Schools that increased one rating are:

• Resnik CLC – Excellent
• Firestone Park – Effective
• Litchfield – Effective
• Helen Arnold CLC – Continuous Improvement
• McEbright – Continuous Improvement
• Schumacher – Continuous Improvement
• Roswell Kent – Continuous Improvement
• Stewart – Academic Watch

"The increases in test scores and value added can be directly attributed to our district's renewed focus on challenging all students," explained Assistant Superintendent Ellen McWilliams. "We are committed to addressing students' skill deficit, but we also have enhanced our services to our advanced and accelerated students."

For more information, the Ohio Department of Education has scheduled a release of detailed information on August 25, 2009.