Only a handful of third-graders in Wood County did not pass this year’s third-grade reading test.
The Ohio Department of Education released Tuesday the results of the testing of the reading portion of
the Ohio Achievement Assessment. Youngsters had two tries this school year to score a 392 on the test.

This is the first year for Ohio’s Third Grade Reading Guarantee, which could force students who score
below the goal to be kept in third grade another year.
Except for those with special circumstances, students must meet the minimum score on the state reading
test to move on to the fourth grade reading.
If the student remains in the third grade, the school must provide a high-performing reading teacher and
90 minutes of reading instruction each school day.
But in a change from when the program was first proposed a student can still take fourth-grade classes in
all other subjects, if the student is ready.
Schools can move students to the fourth grade in the middle of the year if the student’s reading
improves.
Students who did not pass the test will have at least two more opportunities this summer.
In Wood County, schools ranged from a 90.2 percent passage rate to 95.9 percent, based on the passage
rate and the number of students who took the test as supplied by ODE.
In Bowling Green, according to ODE, 244 students took the test and 220 (90.2 percent) scored a 392 or
higher.
But according to Dr. Todd Cramer, executive director of teaching and learning, only 238 students took the
test with 226 passing (94.7 percent).
The additional students are often due to having students that, for example, may have a parent residing in
Bowling Green but may be court placed for a variety of reasons into other districts and counties, Cramer
explained.
Administrators called every student Monday who either failed the test or who failed in October but passed
in the spring, to sign them up for a three-week intervention program.
Those who passed on the second time were contacted because they are still considered at risk, Cramer
said.
The ratio of students to teachers will be no more than 1:3 for the daily program.
Students then will retake the OAA on July 9 and an alternate assessment offered by ODE on July 10.
"The program will focus on developing the skills necessary to be a successful reader," Cramer
stated.
"We are optimistic we will not have to retain any students."
He said the progress students made between the October testing and the one given this spring "was
phenomenal."
Several students increased their scores by 30 to 40 points, and one jumped from 360 to 417.
"That’s not necessarily the exception," Cramer stated.
North Baltimore and Northwood each only had three students not pass the test, according to ODE.
In North Baltimore, 42 students took the test, and 39 passed (92.9 percent).
In Northwood, which had 73 students take the test, 70 passed (95.9 percent).
Marlene North, North Baltimore superintendent, chalked up their success with "strong teachers."

She also questioned ODE’s 42 students, saying they have no more than 37 at that grade level.
She explained that a score of 392 to 400 is considered remedial reading level, and the district actually
had only one student score below 392 and the other two under 400.
That one student will take the alternate test this summer. If the student does not pass, he or she will
be retained in the third grade, North said.
Northwood’s three students received extra help and already have taken the alternate test, and
Superintendent Greg Clark said he was unsure when the district would get results.
He does not agree with the state’s edict to retain third-graders who don’t pass the test. That issue
should be considered by the local school and the child’s parents, he stated.
According to numbers supplied by ODE, based on the 392 test score, the passage rates of the remaining
Wood County schools are:
• Lake, 264 tests taken, 250 passed (94.7 percent)
• Eastwood, 116 tests taken, 107 passed (92.2 percent
• Elmwood, 93 tests taken, 87 passed (93.5 percent)
• Rossford, 134 tests taken, 127 passed (93.5 percent
• Otsego, 109 took the test, 103 passed (94.5 percent)
• Perrysburg, 363 took the test, 344 passed (94.8 percent)