MHS Principal Dennis Newell said he was pleased with early results, particularly from the seniors’ new prep class. Based on fall OGT results, 21 “OPOD” seniors are now eligible for graduation.
“I think that’s a testament to the teachers,” he said. “These classes are very labor-intensive.”
The OGT is an annual, state-mandated exam that tests students in reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies. Students take the test the first time in the spring of their sophomore year and need to pass all sections to graduate.
Last year, 28 of 379 Middletown High School seniors did not graduate on time because they did not pass one or more sections.
“These are not ‘bad’ kids that don’t work,” Newell said. “For some reason they just don’t do well on that test, which I’ve seen hurt a lot of people.”
At the sophomore level, “O classes” were implemented at Middletown High School. These “typical” classes seek to incorporate critical thinking through practice tests and OGT-specific vocabulary. Additionally, “OPlat” lab classes, which are available to juniors, allow students to work with online software for additional preparation.
Terry Cole, a biology teacher, said an introduction to OGT language is pivotal to sophomores so they won’t stumble when taking the exam in March.
“Ultimately, the OGT is about problem solving,” he said. “If the first time they’ve had to critically think is on the OGT, that’s a problem.”
Princeton and Colerain high schools have similar courses with dedicated content areas to the OGT. Both were rated excellent by the Ohio Department of Education on their latest report cards.
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