- Most of the discussion of the governor’s education funding proposals so far has focused on districts, the funding formula, and winners/losers. Now it’s time for media and pundits to take a look at what funding changes may be afoot for charter schools. (Columbus Dispatch)
- Here’s more discussion of proposed charter funding changes…with charts. And something else to note: the PD is the only major daily in the state whose comments section is free and open to all. As I publish these clips, there are well over 300 comments on this story with no sign of slowing. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
- If you can stand it, here is one more piece on charter school funding proposals. That story is packaged with another, which features the good folks at Innovation Ohio discussing charter law reforms in both the budget and other legislation currently in hearings in the General Assembly. Interestingly, while they seem supportive of the mainly “sponsor-centric” reforms on offer, they add highlight other changes they’d like to see, which are much more “school-centric”. To wit: “swifter closure of failing charters, transparency standards equal to district schools, and funding that does not punish districts.” Worth a read. (Gongwer Ohio)
- Elsewhere in the General Assembly, SB 3, the so-called “education deregulation” bill is not generating a ton of interest. Its first big hearing yesterday garnered only one proponent and a gaggle of interested parties testifying together. Are stakeholders not interested in unfettering the high flyers or are they simply figuring that if it ain’t broke, we shouldn’t be fixing it? NOTE: There are a couple of interesting mentions of education within the juvenile justice system here; an area that is little discussed among education stakeholders in Ohio. (Gongwer Ohio)
- Away from the Statehouse, officials in Southwest Licking Schools are vowing to improve transportation in the district for next school year, having learned some hard lessons this year. What’s the deal? Some big academic changes (changing from neighborhood to “grade banded” schools and implementing free all-day Kindergarten) created stresses that the business-as-usual transportation system couldn’t handle. The numbers get into the weeds a bit, but it’s an instructive look at how transportation needs/uses/costs can change even when the physical set up of the district doesn’t. (Newark Advocate)
- Experts in education for students with autism have chosen Cardinal Schools in Geauga County as an exemplar of best practices. Their “model classrooms” were videotaped in action last week for sharing with educators across the state and the country. This is awesome and the story is inspiring. But I would be remiss if I didn’t note that should Cardinal go further and merge with nearby Ledgemont – and indeed if Cardinal joins the proposed four-district consolidated high school in the county – their expertise will be close at hand for many more students in the county. Just sayin’. (Willoughby News Herald)
