HB 555 Summary

• Creates a new letter-grade (A-F) academic performance rating system for public schools replacing the previous excellent/effective/needs improvement designations, with grades based on achievement, progress, graduation rates, and early literacy measures starting in the 2012-2013 school year.

• Establishes an alternative report card system for community schools serving dropout prevention and recovery programs, measuring graduation rates at multiple time intervals (4-8 years), assessment passage rates, and student growth rather than standard performance index scores.

• Modifies approval process for new internet- or computer-based community schools to require superintendent approval based on demonstrated experience and quality instead of a lottery system, limiting five new schools per year beginning July 1, 2013.

• Abolishes the Ohio Accountability Task Force and expands community school sponsor evaluation to include academic performance, adherence to quality practices, and compliance with laws, with sponsors rated as exemplary, effective, or ineffective.

• Implements changes to third grade reading guarantee by requiring diagnostic reading assessments in kindergarten through third grade, intensive reading intervention for below-grade-level readers, and assignment of qualified reading teachers, with stricter teacher qualification standards taking effect July 1, 2014.