BRIDGEPORT — Bridgeport Exempted Village School District’s special education program achieved a high rating in providing students with the assistance they need to succeed.

District Special Education Coordinator Beverly Prati said the district was determined by the Ohio Department of Education to meet all of its requirements.

The district learned of its achievement late last year and was among many districts earning that designation, and Prati noted it has gained such distinction over the past five years.

“Every school district in the state gets a special education profile and a rating. Our rating this year is that it meets requirements, which is the highest rating you can receive.”

State officials review various compliance indicators such as meeting timelines for individualized education plans; holding evaluations in a timely manner; providing students with transition plans, or working on skills at school so they know what they want to do after graduation; and submitting data correctly to the ODE.

Prati said data is continuously provided to the state throughout the year and it is generally submitted by July.

The state also provides results which currently indicate that Bridgeport is “performing proficiently.”

“If we meet at or above the target, we get points,” she explained. “Our students are scoring proficiently in math and reading.”

She noted her joy in seeing the district gain another strong rating, particularly since schools were impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

“I’m very excited that we are able to retain that rating because it was very difficult and we were remote,” she said. “It was a team effort from the administration to the intervention specialists to the parents. They all were a piece in helping us retain that rating and I can’t thank the staff enough for all of their hard work.”