- While we rarely say “no thanks” to a media hit here at Fordham, sometimes we do worry about getting swept into stories by association with the topic. To wit: Fordham is namechecked and our two commissioned reports on charter school performance from December are referenced in this Dispatch piece first published Tuesday morning. It is about the Center for Education Reform’s new study of laws and policies in the 42 states (and the District of Columbia) that allow charter schools. Now Ohio’s grade of “C” stinks, no question, but the original version of this piece erroneously gave Ohio’s rank as 28 out of 43. The entire story – including Fordham’s namecheck – proceeded from this rank. Only, it’s wrong. Ohio’s rank was actually 14 out of 43. Still a “C”, still stinky, but an entirely different conversation should have arisen out of a top-15 finish, especially in regard to what is currently happening in every part of state government in Ohio to fix some long-standing problems. The same likely cannot be said of many other states. (Columbus Dispatch, 3/17/15)
- Speaking of that work to reform Ohio’s charter school law – it continues apace. HB 2 – the standalone bill on this topic – had an omnibus amendment added to it yesterday as promised by its sponsor last week, improving an already-good bill. Chad is quoted saying that very thing in this Dispatch piece. (Columbus Dispatch, 3/17/15)
- The PD’s take on the HB 2 amendment focuses on what was NOT included in the omnibus, most particularly two provisions relating to the treasurer/board/operator relationship and the public/private divide inherent in some schools’ setup. Like everyone who knows the “I’m Just a Bill” song from Schoolhouse Rock, State Auditor Yost (nope, still not tired of hearing about him) says he’ll continue to pursue these items in further iterations of the bill. (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 3/17/15)
- And how does one of HB 2’s co-sponsors – Rep. Kristina Roegner – see her bill? Her guest column in the Hudson paper will tell you in her own words: “[I]t aims to put in place measures by which the achievements of highly successful charter schools can continue serving students in a way that best meets their academic needs, while placing stricter accountability measures on the ones that are not providing young people the kinds of educational environments they deserve.” Yep. That. (Hudson Hub Times)
- We end as we began today – in BizarroWorld. Here’s the video from this week’s City Club of Cleveland event talking about charter schools as Ohio’s “White Whale”. Honestly, I get more Cervantes than Melville. (Ideastream/WVIZ, 3/17/15)
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