When the annual State Report Card was released to the public in August 2009, the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District didn't make the honor role.

The results were a lot like last year; the district met or exceeded 10 out of 30 academic proficiency standards, receiving the designation of “Continuous Improvement” – the equivalent of a C letter grade.

Among districts classified by the state as "large-urban poor," CH-UH schools received the second-highest ranking out of 15. The classification is based on student population, not that of the community.

“I think it’s really important for people to understand this issue,” said Heights PTA Co-President Jim Posch.  “It’s really not as simple as you would think.”

Also to be considered are specific elements of the community's diversity. The CH-UH student body includes a high percentage of transient and special-needs students – the fourth-highest in Northeast Ohio. These students' scores in effect reduce the district's overall score.

While district officials want people to understand these nuances, they also express concern for the entire student body.

“We are committed to a vision of continued growth and excellence for all students,” emphasized Assistant Superintendent Christine Fowler-Mack. “Therefore we are not satisfied with the rate of progress. The standards are set to increase next year. We can and will improve!”

Also relevant are so-called Value-Added figures, which, according to Communications Coordinator Angee Shaker, are a new measure of progress rather than performance. “In the past, students and schools have been ranked solely according to achievement,” said Shaker. “The problem with this method is that achievement is highly linked to the socioeconomic status of a student's family.”

“We’re dealing with a student body that has seen its poverty rate double in the past 20 years,” noted Joy Henderson, assistant director of Reaching Heights.  “That means we are consistently facing an uphill battle.”

So at what rate is the district progressing?

“This year’s state test scores show steady progress and remaining challenges,” said Shaker. “There are a lot of bright spots. Canterbury and Roxboro elementary schools and Cleveland Heights High School were again rated Effective, which is the state’s second-highest rating.”

Shaker also noted that six out of seven elementary schools have met or exceeded Value-Added Growth measures. Two elementary schools met the AYP (adequate yearly progress) standard in all areas; and African Americans in the CH-UH district continue to outpace state averages in progress made.

Last May, Heights High had a graduation rate of 92 percent, which is considered impressive for a school district with such demographics. Graduating seniors accumulated more than $8 million in scholarships.

Despite this good news, the administration is focused on the shortcomings.

“Our team has an overall plan for improvement in place, designed specifically for teachers and students in lower performing buildings,” said Shaker. “New programs like Instructional Rounds, the Infinite Campus system, and a reworked elementary math and science curriculum will show results.”

Administrative staff is being restructured to focus on the priority issues as well. But even that won't be enough, according to Fowler-Mack: “Our schools need the unwavering support and involvement of our community.  If time is an issue, simply communicating to our young people through words that convey our confidence in their potential, or words of encouragement, would add value to the efforts of the system.”

“Community members can help by volunteering with the Many Villages Tutoring Program,” said Joy Henderson. “Because having strong after-school support is often crucial to a student’s achievement in the classroom.”

“Cleveland Heights and University Heights are tremendous communities with great aspiration for the future,” said Fowler-Mack. “The schools understand [their] role in this vision and welcome those who desire to partner with us.”

Sarah Webster is a Heights alumna and a recent graduate of Kent State University with a degree in journalism.