- Editors in Toledo opined on the subject of state report card results, looking to outside analyses of those results to bolster their point. Fordham’s first-blush mini-analysis of the report card data from last week is one of those outside sources. Just wait gang, there’s more where that came from! (Toledo Blade, 3/9/16)
- The Blade must have written its editorial a few days ago, because there is no mention of the other shoe. That is, the growing hubbub over a “huge disparity” in value-added results for schools who took PARCC tests online vs. those who took PARCC tests via pencil and paper. We brought you the PD version of the story on Monday. Here it is from the D. (Columbus Dispatch, 3/8/16)
- The above-referenced failure of Scooter Computer and Mr. Chips was front and center at this week’s state board of education meeting. You can read coverage of this specific issue in the Plain Dealer (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 3/8/16) and the AP (Dayton Daily News, via AP, 3/7/16). In other state board of ed news, far less interesting other stuff was discussed. (Gongwer Ohio, 3/7/16)
- At the other end of the wire, e-school attendance is going to get increased scrutiny statewide from the Ohio Department of Education, following two high-profile fails. If you ask me, Scooter Computer and Mr. Chips might need to morph into Stevie Slide-Rule and Mr. Abacus pretty soon. (Columbus Dispatch, 3/8/16)
- In related news, the folks at Licking Valley Local Schools are quick to point out that their Educational Options Program is NOT (repeat, NOT) one of them online schools. (See above.) It is a hybrid in the sense that all the coursework is done via computer but the district offers an option for kids to do their work in a room in the high school with a licensed special ed teacher present. Young Caleb takes that route and is flourishing. He’s likely not fashioning his own abacus in his IRL industrial tech class, so please don’t tell anyone where the online curriculum comes from. There’s also an option for LV kids to take online electives not offered in the district, but those cost money. (Newark Advocate, 3/7/16)
- Lots of money for technology in Columbus City Schools’ new proposed budget, but no matter. There’s still time to fix that before it’s finalized. The supe says the budget is “aspirational” and discussion indicates that a new levy will likely be required in order to act on those aspirations, even with TI-10s swapped out for MacBooks. The overwhelming opposition to the previous levy was predicated on “No Cheaters, No Charters”. 50% of that equation has been addressed, with the other 50% heading for the finish line. I predict victory, but that could just be “aspirational” on my part. (Columbus Dispatch, 3/8/16)
- Sometimes the clips just write themselves. Case in point, this headline: “Hate the Common Core? Speak up now to adjust Ohio's learning expectations.” Not sure if this is journalism or Facebook, circa 2014. (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 3/8/16)
