Use report cards as starting points for positive change

At first glance, results from the release this week of the 2024-25 state report cards on academic achievement in Ohio’s 607 public school districts contain no knock-your-socks-off surprises.

School districts that traditionally have scored well continue to do so. Those that have marks they’d likely prefer to hide remain relatively consistent as well. And even those 15 school districts in Mahoning and Trumbull counties that saw their overall performance worsen, the vast majority dropped by a measly half-star, indicating relative stability in the educational climate of the Mahoning Valley.

But that does not mean the recently released annual assessments from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce do not contain real value. In fact, they open a treasure trove of information that could