7/30/08

Columbus Dispatch Short takes

The first round Ohio Graduation Test results for Metro High School are a validation of the concept launched two years ago by the Franklin County Educational Council, Battelle and Ohio State University. The school has posted passing rates for the test that rank it with the top schools in the state.

The small school is at 1929 Kenny Road in the research park adjacent to Ohio State. It focuses on science and math and expressly is not targeted to the county’s highest academic achievers.

Last year’s Metro sophomores passed the math portion at a rate higher than all but one Franklin County district. They would rank 20{+t}{+h} when compared to the state’s 610 districts. Metro students did more than pass, however; looking at how many Metro students scored as “advanced” — the highest of five scoring ranges on the test sections — Metro ranked 13{+t}{+h} in the state for reading, 11{+t}{+h} in science, 15{+t}{+h} in math, 18{+t}{+h} in social studies and 75{+t}{+h} in writing.

School leaders credit high expectations, exposing students to critical thinking and a determination to see every student master the material.

Even better news for Columbus and the rest of the state is that Metro is serving as a model for the development of the Ohio STEM Learning Network, a system of schools around the state focusing on science, technology, engineering and math. That initiative will be funded with $50 million from the legislature and a $12 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The educational approach that’s working for Metro promises to work more wonders across the state.