- In case you missed it yesterday, HB 2 – the standalone charter law reform bill in the House – received a couple of amendments. Here are two reports on that, both from yesterday afternoon and both quoting Chad. In the Columbus Dispatch piece, Chad finds the watering-down of anti-sponsor-hopping language to be “a head-scratcher”. In the WKSU-FM radio piece, he opines in more detail, noting that unchecked sponsor-hopping can lead to something of a race to the bottom in terms of school quality.
- The Plain Dealer looked more closely at what’s NOT in HB 2 as it headed for a committee vote today: specifically, a provision to require wide open books for private entities running schools. In-depth piece on the issue from the perspective of one of the bill’s co-sponsor and the usual “sunshine advocates”. Not a word from charter school advocates in there though. Perhaps they were busy. (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 3/24/15)
- As we have noted more than once, charter law reform is on the minds of many across Ohio. Case in point, editors at the Findlay Courier who opined yesterday on the vital need for charter reform. And they only have one small district-run (and apparently successful) online charter in the town and not another one for 40 miles in any direction! (Findlay Courier, 3/24/15)
- As also noted previously, charter law reform efforts are coming from everywhere in state government. Much of the attention now is focused on HB 2 – the first legislative salvo – but don’t forget that the governor’s budget bill has many charter-related provisions or that the state Senate is almost ready to unveil its own bill, which has been crafted all the while the House bill has seen testimony and amendments come and go. Here’s a nice preview from yesterday of what the Senate bill might address. (Columbus Dispatch, 3/24/15)
- Speaking of the state Senate, SB 3 – the “education deregulation” bill which strives to exempt high-performing schools and districts from some “onerous” state oversight – was voted out of the Ed Committee yesterday along party lines. We’ll see how it fares in the full Senate. (Gongwer Ohio, 3/24/15)
- Back in the real world, Cincinnati City Schools’ venerable School for Creative and Performing Arts is retrenching after a fundraising debacle with its support foundation. Sounds like they’ve still got a long way to go but that they are making needed governance changes and that the community is rallying around the institution. Good luck to all. (Cincinnati Enquirer, 3/23/15)
- Finally, a wonky but interesting look at the crux of many a disagreement between education pundits in Ohio – the nature of state K-12 education funding. When put to the test by journalist Patrick O’Donnell, data gurus on opposite sides of the issue actually came to the same conclusion: Governor Kasich has increased funding for public schools in Ohio. But that kumbaya didn’t satisfy some "unapologetic pro-public school” members of the state board of education however, due to the lack of distinction in either analysis between funding for traditional districts and charter school. And there lies the crux. Kasich’s view of school funding, says ODE’s wonk, “We fund students and the needs of students - not the needs of administrators or school buildings.” No need to break it out between district/charter. The other side disagrees. And the beat goes on. (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 3/24/15)
