State superintendent says Ohio education 'first-rate'

COLDWATER - State schools superintendent Paolo DeMaria visited local superintendents Tuesday morning to discuss education issues and how people from his department can better connect with local officials.

Inside Coldwater High School's Cav room, DeMaria said he thinks Ohio has a first-rate education system but officials are always striving to improve.

"Improvement is everybody's business," he said. "Crown (Equipment Corp.) is constantly looking for ways to improve. The Cleveland Cavaliers are constantly looking for ways to improve. The Cleveland Browns are, hopefully, looking for ways to improve."

DeMaria said he is working to bridge the gap between the ODE and area school districts, adding state and local officials must cooperate if education "is ever going to improve."

He said he's puzzled that some high-performing districts are right next door to less successful districts. To help fix this, he wants neighboring school districts to work together.

The visit will help him understand local education issues, he added.

One problem DeMaria said he's found is changing curriculum to adapt to more rigorous requirements for graduates in 2018 and beyond.

According to the ODE, the new requirements give students more ways to succeed in school and prepare them for their futures.

"We saw too many students were going to college and finding they need remediation, or they were going into the workforce and finding that they didn't have the skills to be successful," he said.

Celina superintendent Ken Schmiesing voiced his concern that the transition may affect graduation rates. In response, DeMaria said every transition is going to encounter roadblocks.

Graduation rates may decline, DeMaria said, but over time, he expects the rates to return to normal or improve.

Under the new graduation requirements, students must earn at least 20 credits. Additionally, students must complete at least one of three requirements. One is passing the Ohio State tests. Another option is passing a college career-readiness test, such as the ACT or SAT. Students also can pursue a career-tech path by earning an industry-recognized credential to obtain a diploma and join the workforce.

As of late, DeMaria said "our culture has come to think of career tech is a lesser path.

"Over the next five or 10 years, there are going to be many students who understand the power of career tech and the general public is going to recognize that it's not a lesser path," he said.

The ODE issues district report cards to give residents a "clear picture of the progress" in raising achievement and preparing students for the future. The cards shine a light on areas in which schools are succeeding or they need to improve. 
  All in all, DeMaria said he thinks great education is happening in the area.

"But our commitment should always be to improve," he said.

After the meeting, Coldwater superintendent Jason Wood said it was an honor to host DeMaria. Throughout the day, DeMaria visited other schools in Mercer and Auglaize counties and also the New Bremen Crown facility.