On state assessment tests, Ohio students score pretty well: around three quarters of them meet reading and math standards. But on the national scene, barely a third of Ohio's students are able pass the National Assessment of Educational progress, or NAEP tests, which have become the national standard for tracking student achievement. And that 30% passing rate is actually above the national average. Low scores for Ohio and the nation are a major concern for Ronn Richard at the Cleveland Foundation.
Ronn Richard: Educational performance in the United States is a tremendous problem; in my opinion, it is a far greater threat to us than Al Qaeda could ever be.
The U.S. is failing to prepare its future workforce for the global economy, Richard says, and without substantial change, will continue to spiral downward.
Ronn Richard: We are imploding as a nation because of terrible performance, and if this country doesn't find a way to fix its educational system we will really be in horrific financial shape.
Richard says its not too late to for the nation and Ohio to reverse this trend. A new report by the Ohio Grantmakers Forum, "Educating Ohio's Future," says raising state academic standards and aligning them with national ones would make a huge difference. Then a system that seamlessly transitions students from kindergarten through college graduation would reduce the amount of remedial work needed at certain levels and Richard says increase college graduation rates.
Ronn Richard: Because we don't have a coherent system, K-12 education doesn't really prepare kids for college, if you look at the number of kids who drop out of college, presumably in many cases because their high school wasn't rigorous enough.
Ohio's lowest performing students need the best teachers, Richards says. And that means unions have to be more flexible with teacher staffing, and allow schools to position some of their more experienced teachers with the most struggling students.
Expanding flexibility pertains to Charter Schools too. The report says these environments are places where new teaching and learning techniques are tested and it says Ohio should open more throughout the state. However, it points out some Ohio charter schools are failing to meet state standards, and it advocates for more openness and accountability within the system.
And then there's the issue of funding, and where it should come from. George Espy, president of Ohio Grantmakers Forum, says the state should follow the lead of Delaware and Kentucky, by identifying elements make up a quality education in Ohio.
George Espy: Before they can figure out where they can get the money, they have to figure out exactly how much money they need and they can't figure that out until they figure out what it costs to educate children.
Ohio spends $25 billion on education every year. Ohio foundations only spend $300 million. David Abbott of the Gund Foundation says this non-partisan report may help focus educational grant money more effectively on public policy and put pressure on leaders in Columbus.
David Abbott: And prod our politicians to take some action and to help people understand that they need to stand up and demand action from our elected officials.
Beginning in January, the Ohio Grantmakers Forum will hold a series of community meetings throughout the state to publicize the report and generate more discussion about re-shaping Ohio's educational future. In two years, Ohio will get a grade of its own from the OGF on its progress. Lisa Ann Pinkerton, 90.3.