Columbus City Schools Career Tech Program Earns 4.5 Stars on State Report Card, Makes Gains in Reading
High Marks CTE Programs, Rising Reading Proficiency Rates, and Post-Secondary Enrollment Showcases Dedication to Ongoing Progress
September 13, 2024 -- The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce released the 2024 Ohio School Report Cards on Friday, September 13, 2024, quantifying the hard work of students and staff in districts across the state. Columbus City Schools Career Tech program earned an impressive 4.5 stars out of 5 from the State Department of Education and achieved more than a six percent increase in third grade reading proficiency.
Furthermore, the report states more than half of CCS graduates were accepted in higher education programs. Of that, 34.1% enrolled in a 2-year post secondary institution. This represents 23.7% over the state average.
"We take pride in the progress our students, teachers, and schools have made. We also recognize there is still work to be done to fully align with our Portrait of a Graduate vision to further enhance student achievement," said Columbus City Schools Superintendent/CEO Dr. Angela Chapman.
2023-24 Achievement Summary:
- The graduation rate is 78.3% for the four-year cohort students.
- The attendance rate is 83.2%.
- Post-secondary enrollment in higher education institutions is 55.3%.
- Post-secondary enrollment in 2-year institutions is 34.1%.
- Third-grade proficiency increased 6.2% over the previous school year.
- Seventh-grade math focus remains steady. The district targeted math proficiency as a new Board Goal in the 2023-2024 school year.
Columbus City Schools earned a two-star overall state report card rating for the second consecutive year. The report cards provide insights, with each school and district receiving an overall rating of one to five stars based on five key areas: Achievement, Progress, Gap Closing, Graduation, and Early Literacy.
Excellence in Career Technical Education
The State Report Card highlights the growing emphasis on Career Technical Education (CTE) and Workforce Development. The Career Technical Planning District (CTPD) Report Card showcases numerous CTE programs across the District and surrounding areas. The District earned an impressive overall rating of four and a half stars out of five.
During the 2023-2024 school year, the Columbus Career and Technical Planning District made significant gains in preparing students for careers and post-secondary success. Our Career and Technical Education teachers engaged in professional development focused on work-based learning and industry-recognized credentials, enhancing our students’ ability to master technical skills. Advisory boards allowed staff to develop lessons aligned with End-of-Course WebXams with an industry perspective. Students are demonstrating their competencies while earning the OhioMeansJobs Readiness Seal.
“We are encouraged by the progress and celebrate the valuable experiences our students are gaining. High School Redesign, focusing on expanding career pathways, will enhance programming and the student experience,” said Executive Director of Career Technical Education and Workforce Development, Megan Noble. “We are committed to working with our community and industry partners to ensure our students are prepared for the future workforce, equipped with the skills and opportunities needed for success in their post-secondary plans.”
“Career Technical Education (CTE) teachers and the CTE team support and deliver lessons that apply technical skills to real-world challenges," said Jennifer Meade, Director of Career Technical Education. "The report card highlights the success of these efforts, showing that students in CTE programs achieve higher graduation rates and are well-prepared for the workforce after graduation."
Columbus City Schools is dedicated to building a strong, inclusive educational system that meets the diverse needs of every student. This dedication is embodied in the Goals and Guardrails established by the Columbus Board of Education, with a strategic focus on literacy, mathematics, graduation rates, and a holistic student outcomes governance model. These priorities ensure that all students have the tools and support needed to succeed academically and beyond.
Relentless Focus on Literacy
The district is experiencing steady improvements in literacy performance and growth. These gains are also evident in grades 3-6, showing the positive impact of our early literacy focus as students move into middle school.
A key factor in this progress is the district’s commitment to the Science of Reading (SoR), a comprehensive research-based approach that explains how students learn to read and what skills are necessary for strong reading development. By understanding the relationship between word recognition (decoding) and language comprehension, we are able to provide students with explicit, systematic instruction in essential areas such as phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
Columbus City Schools teachers are engaged in the Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) professional development framework to support this further. LETRS equips educators with the knowledge and tools they need to apply the Science of Reading in the classroom, ensuring students receive high-quality, targeted instruction. This training has been pivotal in helping us achieve our literacy goals and improve outcomes for all students.
Investing in Math by Setting Goals
Last year, the district introduced a new math goal aimed at bridging the gap between elementary, middle, and high school. As a result, students from third grade through high school have shown steady progress, either improving or maintaining their performance on the Ohio State Test in mathematics across all grade levels.
This consistent growth reflects the district’s commitment to strengthening math skills throughout students' educational journeys.
Columbus Promise
In collaboration with the Columbus City Council, the City of Columbus, I Know I Can, and Columbus State Community College, The Columbus Promise program launched in 2021 to enhance student success and prepare them for the growing job market. The initiative guarantees a tuition-free education at Columbus State Community College for all CCS graduates. As a result of the Columbus Promise, 34.1% of our students are now enrolling in 2-year post-secondary institutions.
“The Columbus Promise shows what happens when you remove financial barriers and are willing to bet on students who are willing to bet on themselves,” said Council President Shannon Hardin. “Thanks to the Columbus Promise, more of our kids are going to and through college – getting the skills and education they need to succeed in the good jobs coming here.”
According to the Ohio Department of Education, “Report cards are just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to understanding what's happening in schools and districts.” Columbus City Schools encourages parents and the community to get involved and engage directly with its schools to fully understand students' experiences and the educational opportunities available to them.
"Our state report card demonstrates our students' potential for growth, and by maintaining a deliberate focus on interventions and support, we can apply equitable strategies to close gaps, address disparities, and accelerate learning fueled by the collaboration of our educators, parents, and community partners," Chapman continued.
Families can access their individual school report card through the Ohio Department of Education’s Report Card Portal link.
