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Ohio Farm Bureau and members of the business community met with Ohio Department of Education Superintendent of Public Instruction Susan Tave Zelman to discuss statewide results released that show student performance continues to improve.

According to ODE, over the past five years, the average of all students’ scores on state tests increased by 12.9 points from 73.7 to 86.6. More than 86 percent of Ohio school districts made gains in achievement compared to last year, and the statewide graduation rate increased from 82.8 percent at the end of the 2001-2002 school year to 84.3 percent at the end of the 2002-2003 school year.

While statewide results are encouraging, Zelman noted that achievement gaps between Ohio’s highest- and lowest-performing students continue to pose a major challenge. She noted that closing these achievement gaps is the highest priority of the State Board of Education and ODE.

OFBF Vice President for Government Affairs Keith Stimpert said meetings between the business community and the Department of Education will be ongoing. OFBF members have expressed a high degree of interest in education. Among OFBF policies are the statements, "We believe that education programs should give breadth, quality and maximum opportunity in education to our citizens," and "We encourage more emphasis on instruction in reading, science, mathematics, citizenship, economics and technology related courses."

"This is another opportunity for us to continue to forge partnerships," Stimpert said. "Students and teachers cannot do it alone – they need the involvement of parents and communities to support the improvement of students in their communities. The success of each student is important to the future and the economy of the state."

The meeting closed with an overview of a joint OFBF/ODE communications plan, which gives both groups a way to share core messages with each other’s members. The plan was shared as a model for other members of the business community to review.