Students in elementary school have more time to learn the English language. Older ones aren’t as fortunate. High-stakes testing and misguided graduation requirements place older English Language Learners at a disadvantage.

Hamilton Schools understand this dilemma well. We serve over 660 English Language Learners, representing 15 different languages. We are a melting pot of diversity. Culturally, racially and economically, our students blend together. Today we serve students whose native languages are Arabic, Portuguese, Chinese, Tagalog, French, Pohnpeian, Spanish, Tigrinya, Telugu, Nepali, Hindi and Vietnamese.

However, Hamilton Schools and many urban districts are punished by the Ohio Department of Education on the District Report Card. The report includes how subgroups for each district perform. Urban districts, as opposed to suburban or rural ones, have a demographic population in each reported subgroup.

The subgroups are as follows: All Students, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Asian/Pacific Islander, Black, Non-Hispanic; Hispanic, Multiracial, White, Non-Hispanic; Economically Disadvantaged, and finally, Students with Disabilities.

Hamilton has hundreds of students belonging to multiple subgroups. Some are newer to our country, academically deficient, poor, and need special education services. If these students test poorly, the state report card data will paint a misleading picture, because the negative scores are counted repeatedly in each category against the district.

Until these students are proficient in English, they should not be held to the same requirements. Their scores should not impact state report cards. We cannot have a one-size-fits-all approach, where local control is replaced with governmental intrusion.

Hamilton flourishes because of diversity. The accomplishments of our students and teachers tell a far more compelling story of the high-quality education we provide. Regardless of the flawed state report card, we will continue teaching all of our children: the rich and poor, black and white, English Language Learners, and students with special needs.

Tony Orr is the superintendent of Hamilton Schools. Email him at torr@hcsdoh.org. This guest column appeared in the May 2 edition of the Journal-News.