The Ohio Department of Education released the results of school report cards for the 2008-2009 school year Aug. 25. According to the report, more districts have earned a rating of effective or higher than in the previous 10 years. More than 85 percent of school districts and almost 72 percent of school buildings received ratings of effective or higher.

The progress is based upon four measures of performance: state indicators, performance index, adequate yearly progress, and value added measure.

There are 30 state indicators which rate the scores of students in grades three through eight, 10th and 11th grade Ohio Graduation Test scores, attendance rates and graduation rates. The state requirement is 75 percent and schools are rated with the number of indicators they meet.