COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – State Superintendent Richard Ross says some districts and schools will see lower grades in certain areas of their state report cards this year because Ohio has strengthened its rating system.

The Ohio Department of Education released the data Friday after winter school closings delayed report-card preparation. In the past, the report cards had been released in late August.

School officials use the information to see how well students are performing and to identify improvement areas as they start a new school year.

The state says 2014 report cards eventually will detail grades for 10 measures, including performance index and graduation rate. Overall school and district grades won't be calculated until 2016 to give districts time to adjust to new learning standards and state tests.