“We are judged in Ohio, in the school systems, by our test scores,” said Ted Downing, superintendent of Bridgeport schools.

For the first time ever, a school in the Bridgeport district is labeled excellent by the state. In St. Clairsville, the entire district was labeled excellent. “It just shows that we’re doing good things here in St. Clairsville, and we’re real excited about it,” said Walt Skaggs, superintendent of St. Clairsville schools.

According to local school officials, these ratings are something for the communities, the students and the teachers to take pride in. But the potential impact of improved ratings goes deeper than that. “If you continue to struggle, they say they can take money away,” said Downing.

It can also have the opposite effect, improved ratings could mean more funding and a better learning experience down the road, though it likely won’t come in the form of a check. “There’s no formula in stone yet, but the kind of hint is, the better you do, you’re going to be rewarded,” said Downing.

According to Downing, rewards will come most directly through continuing to attract good teachers and additional students, which will bring with them additional funding.

“And whether your money is tied to it or not, just the fact that we want our students to get the best education possible, and the test scores are one reflection of that,” said Downing.

To see where schools rank, visit www.ode.state.oh.us.