For the past five years Toledo Public Schools Superintendent Romules Durant has met regularly with a group of business and civic leaders for the purpose of sharing TPS’ progress. At our spring meeting, we asked Mr. Durant to summarize for us the most significant TPS accomplishments over his tenure, which he willingly agreed to do.
After listening, we were so encouraged that we agreed to share the highlights from the superintendent’s report with other people in the community, including parents, businesses, and community leaders.
Graduation Rates: The total number of graduates has increased every year and the four-year graduation rate has increased by 15 percent in the last three years, from 63 percent to 78 percent. Also, graduation rates for students with disabilities are up 6 percent, Career Tech students now graduate at the rate of 98 percent and the third-year guarantee is up 20 percent. An important lesson learned by TPS over this short time period is that when students remain in the same school, their graduation rates increase significantly.
Student Success: Metrics for student success are also up across the board. Students earning college credits via dual high school-college enrollment are up from 72 to 186; ACT participation is up from 1,064 to 1,115 students; honors diplomas awarded are up from 36 to 81; 15 percent of 2016 graduates were enrolled in Advanced Placement or college courses; and more than 750 college credits were earned by TPS students over the past three years. Last year, 75 percent of all Career Tech students either joined the workforce, enlisted in the armed forces, or went on to some type of post-secondary training or education.
Naviance: TPS has adopted the world’s most widely-accepted college-and career-readiness platform, which allows school officials to collect, monitor, and analyze academic data from sixth grade to graduation for the purpose of understanding students’ learning styles and career interests and to engage both students and families.
Magnet Schools: TPS is now offering more educational choices and opportunities for students through TPS magnet schools. These magnet schools are open not just to TPS students but also to students across Northwest Ohio and include Toledo Early College High School, a joint venture with the University of Toledo, where 350 high school students can earn up to two full years of college credit during their high school years, the Aerospace Academy located at Toledo Express Airport where students can study aviation and aeronautics, The Natural Science Academy located at the Toledo Botanical Gardens where students can study animal science, urban agriculture, agribusiness, environmental sustainability, and wildlife management, the Toledo Technology Academy which has earned a bronze star rating from U.S. News and World Report and offers intensive manufacturing and technology training, and Jones Leadership Academy where students in seventh-12th grades can pursue a business-themed curriculum that includes marketing, finance and supply chain management.
TPS has assumed a leadership position in the Career Tech space where TPS offers more than 30 Career Tech programs in its eight high schools and technology academies that are all tailored to better meet student needs and to offer better outcomes then do traditional approaches.
Gifted: TPS has also developed substantive program offerings for gifted students, including special sections of English Language Arts and math for fifth and sixth grades, College Credit Plus, which allows any student to earn college credits during high school, as well as offering Advanced Placement and honors classes in most subjects.
STEMM: Science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine is also advancing at TPS. Beginning in the 2018-2019 school year, TPS will have three STEMM-focused elementary schools at Chase, McKinley, and Marshall that will prepare students for 21st century jobs and careers that the new world of technology will offer.
Finally, we learned about future programs and plans that include expanded distance learning opportunities, additional STEMM programs, a mental health and severe behavior school, another theme-based high school focused on medicine and health care, more magnet schools, bi-lingual education opportunities, and an arts-based education option.
All of us were very impressed by the progress at TPS in recent years and felt that while there is still much to do, TPS has made huge progress under Mr. Durant’s leadership and we felt that everyone in the Toledo community should know these facts.
Tom Brady is the founder of Plastic Technologies, Inc, Bob LaClair is the regional president of Fifth Third Bank, Denny Johnson is a retiree, and Dan Johnson is president emeritus of the University of Toledo.
First Published June 16, 2018, 11:00 a.m.
