BEDFORD, OH — The Ohio Department of Education released its 2024–2025 report cards this week, giving Bedford City Schools a mixed performance across key academic categories.
The district showed strong growth in student progress, earning four out of five stars in the Progress category. State officials noted “significant evidence” that Bedford students exceeded expected academic growth compared to prior years.
Bedford also met state standards in Gap Closing, a measure of how well districts are reducing educational disparities among student groups, receiving three out of five stars.
However, other areas highlighted the need for improvement. The district scored just two stars in Early Literacy, with only 42.6% of third graders proficient in reading and fewer than 20% showing improvement in K–3 literacy. While 98.7% of students were promoted to fourth grade, the state emphasized that early reading skills remain a critical concern.
Graduation rates also fell short of state expectations. Bedford earned two stars in the Graduation category, with 83.3% of students graduating within four years and 87.4% within five years.
In College, Career, Workforce, and Military Readiness, Bedford received two stars, with just over half of students (54.1%) considered prepared for post-secondary opportunities.
The district’s Achievement score reflected similar challenges, with a Performance Index of 59.5%, translating into two stars.
Overall, Bedford’s results show promising growth in student progress but underscore ongoing challenges in literacy, achievement, and readiness for life after high school.
