CHAMPION — The Trumbull Career and Technical Center received five stars on the recent state report card for 2023-24, marking an increase from the previous school year of 4.5 stars.

Paula Baco, director of the high school, said the five-star rating is based on the graduates from 2023, post-program placement and work-based learning hours, which follow up on students to see whether they are working, enlisted in the military or attending college or trade school.

That success is attributed to a literacy initiative that includes incorporating reading in all subjects.

“We did well with our technical skill attainment scores and student performance on end-of-course exams that took us from 4.5 to five stars,” Baco said. “We were able to bring up student achievement.”

She said 2022-23 was the first year the state gave stars to joint vocational schools, which previously got an overall letter grade.

Baco said TCTC earned five stars for graduation rate, career and postsecondary readiness and ACT scores. In post-program outcomes to see what students are doing three to six months after graduation, the school earned four stars, and also earned four stars in achievement.

“We have always had to follow up on students. That is a measurement career tech centers have always had. We came up with the three Es program — checking to see if students were employed, enlisted or enrolled in college, university or an apprenticeship program,” Baco said.

She said report cards for career centers are different from the home school district report cards. Baco said home schools are not measured like joint vocational schools are on career tech follow-up.

High schools are measured on student performance on end-of-course scores in math, science, English and history.

“We are proud of the fact that we raised our career technical assessment scores with our focus on literacy and that we have 61.8% of students who have earned an industry credential,” Baco said.

She said the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce has been big on students earning industry credentials that includes licenses in different areas, such as nursing, dental assisting and cosmetology.

“The students not only finished their program but earned whatever certification they needed to move on in their field,” Baco said.

TCTC Superintendent Jason Gray said he was proud of the work of the students and staff in achieving the five-star rating.