CMSD gets 2.5 stars (out of 5) in new state report card

The Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) earned 2.5 stars in the state of Ohio's 2022-23 school report cards, released yesterday.

Driving the news: New this year, the Ohio Department of Education has moved from a letter grading system (A-F) to stars (1-5).

Why it matters: 90% of districts statewide earned 3 stars or higher, meaning they met or exceeded the state's performance expectations in five categories: achievement, progress, gap closing, early literacy and graduation.

• Districts that consistently perform poorly may eventually be subjected to a state takeover of leadership.

By the numbers: Of the 31 school districts in Cuyahoga County, Cleveland was one of only four not to reach the 3-star threshold overall.

• Euclid and Garfield Heights both earned 2.5 stars, and East Cleveland earned 2 stars.

Zoom in: In the category ratings, Cleveland scored highest (4 stars) on progress, which measures the year-over-year academic growth of students. It earned 3 stars in gap closing, which is based on the performance of students in certain subgroups (racial minorities, non-native English speakers, gifted students, students with disabilities, etc.).

• Yes, but: CMSD managed only 2 stars in achievement and 1 star in both graduation and early literacy, meaning that "significant support" is required to meet state standards in those areas.

Zoom out: Thirteen suburban districts earned 5-star overall rankings: Bay Village, Beachwood, Brecksville-Broadview Heights, Chagrin Falls, Cuyahoga Heights, Fairview Park, Mayfield, North Royalton, Orange, Rocky River, Solon, Strongsville and Westlake.

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