Both of West Liberty-Salem’s schools — the elementary school and the middle and high school — scored a B on its indicators met and on its achievement component of its report card.
READ MORE: $30M West Liberty Salem construction means late school start again
The high school also scored an A on its graduation and progress portions. The elementary schools scored two Ds on its Gap Closing and K-3 Literacy improvement, measurements that grades whether the lowest scoring students improved over a full year.
The scores come in a year where many Ohio schools saw their scores plummet. Many local superintendents say the reason for falling grades statewide is because the state has changed the tests students take in each of the past three years.
Hissong said he was told to expect scores to fall about 20 to 30 percent this year, but instead he said his schools did well.
“We did not see the drop off,” Hissong said. “In some cases we actually went up in how our students performed. That was a very pleasant thing to see.”
Hissong said he believes the school’s total performance on its report card puts the school as one of the best districts in Ohio.
“I praised my staff and said we are doing a lot of good things,” Hissong said. “Our kids are still doing well on their tests, even though the tests have increased in rigor. We are proud.”
The high school scored a C on its prepared measurement. Hissong said he feels the district does a good job making sure its students are prepared for college or the work force.
“We try to look ahead and see what colleges are using and I think that helps them be prepared when they are out there,” Hissong said. “For ACTs, out students scores indicate that our students need less help than other school districts in terms of helping them be prepared.”
He said overall, he is confident that West Liberty-Salem is a good school district.
“We put out a very good education to our students,” Hissong said. “I think they have access to good teachers and a good curriculum and many opportunities.”
Continuing Coverage
The Springfield News-Sun is digging into report cards and talking with each school district about how they did and how they can improve.
About the Author