- We’ve already noted in these clips that the 2022-23 school year is coming to an end. The overall academic achievement news out of Toledo City Schools for the year seems pretty dire. The focus here is on the math scores of students taking the SAT, but the reading and writing scores don’t sound so great either. Additionally, a quick look at the calendar indicates that the current woeful outcomes are the same as the pre-pandemic numbers so it feels like a systemic problem to me. Wonder why no district officials are talking about it like that? (Toledo Blade, 5/15/23) One bright spot in Frogtown: Toledo Early College High School. You know I love a good college-connected school, even when it’s ostensibly run by a traditional district. School appears to have been no sweat for the high-achieving Glover sisters—twins who will end the school year as valedictorian and salutatorian at TECHS and have each amassed two years’ worth of college credits at UT along the way. They both plan to starting adding to those credits in the fall. (Toledo Blade, 5/15/23) One more good news story from T-Town? Sure! Toledo Central Catholic High School senior Ashley Cutcher was named statewide runner up in the Boys & Girls Clubs of Ohio’s Youth of the Year competition. She sounds like a dynamite young person, full of promise like all YoY competitors, and will also be heading to the University of Toledo this fall. Nice! (Toledo Blade, 5/12/23)
- Speaking of schools of choice (were we?), Butler Tech High School senior Jay Patel was named one of just two Presidential Scholars winners in Ohio. He also sounds darn impressive, having whizzed through high school and continued his studies at the college level (more than 16 credits, it says here), ultimately earning an associates degree in science and a phlebotomy technician certification before attaining his high school diploma. This is no easy feat, obviously, but much simpler when your high school sits on the local tech college’s campus, the high school curriculum leads directly to the next step as soon as you’re ready, and the adults around you are expecting you (and helping you) to get there. (The Journal-News, 5/15/23)
- Now I’m not saying that every kid in Ohio should be planning to walk in a college commencement before high school graduation. But I am saying that there should be even more than there are currently. Parents, students, and taxpayers should want more and better from their schools, and access to the best possible options matters. Take a look at this discussion of education provisions in the state budget—including school choice matters—as they will likely be negotiated in the Senate and see if you see any pathway from what they’re saying to Ohio getting more Mya and Madison Glovers, more Jay Patels, or more Ashley Cutchers. I feel like the answer is “nah”. (Columbus Dispatch, 5/14/23)
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