"Value Added" is a statistical analysis of student progress from year-to-year.  Presently, "value added" measures are used to determine student growth in reading and math in grades 4 - 8. 

 You will see a "plus sign" on the value added section of your district's report card (students progressed above expected growth levels), a "check mark" (students progressed at expected growth levels), or a "minus sign" (students performed below expected growth levels).

 Value added measures can compared to measuring your child's growth over a period of time.  You are interested first and foremost in whether or not they are growing at expected rates.  Secondly, you are comparing your child's growth from one year to the next and so forth.

 Summary

 Knowing the measures that your district/school building is expected to meet will help you understand whether or not they are performing at acceptable levels.  Your district's rating, the number of indicators met, their performance index score, AYP met or not met, and value added measures will help you understand where your district rates compared to other district's in your area.

 Each of these areas of performance are important in their own right. 

For more information, and/or to access your school district's (and your school building's) report card, go to: www.ode.state.oh.us