- Have you all been following the Proper Perspective series in Ohio Gadfly Daily? If not, you should. In it, our own Jamie Davies O’Leary exchanges views on important education topics with Innovation Ohio and KnowYourCharters guru (and former state legislator) Steve Dyer. And now one of those Proper Perspective entries – on the topic of testing opter-outers – has spawned a commentary piece by Jamie and Steve in the ABJ. (Akron Beacon Journal, 4/29/16)
- The state board of education added three more folks to the list of finalists for permanent state supe, bringing the total of candidates to be interviewed to eight. (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 4/28/16). Interviews will start soon, which is good because the person holding the seat on an interim basis is actively looking for another job closer to home. Just like he said he would. (Toledo Blade, 4/28/16)
- I think we may be able to move Groveport-Madison schools from “maybe challenging” the Win-Win Agreement to “definitely challenging” the Win-Win Agreement. But I could be wrong. (Columbus Dispatch, 4/28/16)
- As our own Jessica Poiner has told us previously, Ohio’s new-ish College Credit Plus program – to give kids access to college credit while still in high school – is much more popular than previous such efforts. Here is corroboration of its popularity in central Ohio. Two points stick out for me, though. First, as with any other program that requires “working the system”, higher-income families seem to be benefiting from CCP more than lower-income families thus far. Second, as with CTE tracks, it seems that guidance counselors have an enormous influence on which students hear about and get help in accessing early college opportunities. Seems like getting in good with guidance counselors might help influence the outcomes we’re looking for. Just sayin’. (Columbus Dispatch, 4/28/16)
- Brent Larkin opined this week against online charter schools and several other things. Do the terms “curmudgeon” and “off one’s nut” share a language root? Just curious, that’s all. (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 4/28/16)
- Many folks in Canton are confused by a “diversity” event to which only non-white teachers (and their spouses) were invited. I do not live in Canton, but I admit to confusion myself. At best, this effort seems “tone deaf” to me, whatever its actual purpose. (Canton Repository, 4/28/16)