THE OHIO Department of Education recently released its 2009-10 student testing results. The findings provide an indicator on how schools are functioning in regards to students’ academic performance.

It was refreshing to see that several local school districts received high marks from the state. In fact, Bellaire schools recorded the highest grades among Eastern Ohio districts.

Such good academic reviews is a strong shot-in-the-arm for a school system that has been beset by major financial problems over the course of the past year.

Bellaire stood above its neighbors as Belmont County’s highest rated school district. Such designation speaks volumes of what the staff and students accomplished during the 2008-09 school year in the All-American Town. We hope that the current fiscal hardships being played out in Bellaire schools do not hamper future academic successes.

While Bellaire sat atop the local findings, the Big Reds were joined by several other local districts which gained strong state reports.

Barnesville, Martins Ferry and St. Clairsville each received positive reviews. We also extend our congratulations to those three well-performing districts.

The Red Devils secured the top performance index score of 98.1 while the Purple Riders led Belmont County schools in most state indicators met for a second successive year. Their respective administrations should feel proud of the accomplishments while also recognizing the work of staff and students, alike.

Two other nearby school districts — Steubenville and Indian Creek — were tagged by the Department of Education for their classroom excellence.

Such positive academic news throughout Eastern Ohio brings with it a blast of refreshing air. All too often we hear of the economic problems saddling our schools, much which falls on deaf ears in Columbus.

It is apparent that Eastern Ohio boasts administrators and teachers committed to the betterment of their students.

Moreover, the Ohio testing results indicate that despite the state’s lack of concern for the fiscal well-being of Eastern Ohio schools, many local school districts have proven once again they will not shortchange their students despite being shortchanged when it comes to equitable funding.