- In case you missed it, Fordham yesterday released a first-of-its-kind analysis of interdistrict open enrollment in Ohio – a look at the districts and the students utilizing it this popular and widespread school choice program and the academic outcomes attained. Day-of-release coverage of the report can be found in the Dispatch (Columbus Dispatch, 6/6/17), the blog of The 74 Million, including some nice in-depth Q&A with our research guru Aaron Churchill (The 74 Million, 6/6/17), and from Matt Barnum in the Chalkbeat blog. (Chalkbeat, 6/6/17). Additionally, the folks at Gongwer were kind enough to attend our report release event yesterday morning and provide a further perspective on open enrollment by including comments from our distinguished panelists. (Gongwer Ohio, 6/6/17) Thanks everyone!
- In all the excitement over our impending report release, I completely forgot to talk in Monday’s Bites about that proverbial “other shoe” which dropped late in the day on Friday regarding those goofed-up ACT tests scattered across Ohio. In the end, ACT agreed to score and report the results for all of the students who took the incorrect test. Whew! (Dayton Daily News, 6/2/17)
- Speaking of tests, the state supe went on record this past weekend preferring computer testing over paper and pencil versions, citing ease and speed of obtaining results as well as #thefuture. (WCBE-FM, Columbus, 6/3/17) In a different interview on a different public radio state, state supe DeMaria went on record preferring a lowering of the state’s graduation standards for students currently finishing their junior year, adopting school attendance and/or part time employment instead of actually passing the above-mentioned tests. (WKSU-FM, Kent, 6/3/17)
- Interesting wrinkle with regard to the popular College Credit Plus program in Ohio. Talawanda schools in tony Oxford, Ohio have some concerns about CCP as regards the traditional “class ranking” and valedictorian/salutatorian designations. Those concerns include potential lack of access to college courses for some students – a typical complaint we’ve been hearing from districts – and the possibility that some kids could eventually gain all of their high school credit (if we even care about that anymore – see above) via CCP without ever stepping foot in Talawanda High School. That is a new concern. Board members have two proposals in front of them dropping the traditional “class rank” paradigm for some new way to determine who gets to speak at future graduations. Not to stick my nose in, but how about about an audition: Talawanda’s Got Talawalent? (Middletown Journal-News, 6/5/17)
- I’ve lost track of where we are right now, but it feels like at least “double dog dare” status in the protracted contract negotiations between the teachers union and Dayton City Schools. It is possible we’ll escalate to “triple dare” now that the federal negotiator involved in the talks has called off negotiations for June and July over a very sticky 20 or so issues. Sticky is an apt word, I fear: it could be a long hot summer in the Gem City. (Dayton Daily News, 6/6/17)
- The Lorain Academic Distress Commission this week chose a search firm to help them find a CEO to run the district. Meanwhile, in the corner was heard a quiet but insistent, “Oo! Oo! Pick me! No airfare required! And I’m already background checked! Pick me!” (Northern Ohio Morning Journal, 6/5/17)
- This week we learned the tentative answer to a question that probably should have been answered 8 months ago: How will Preschool Promise in Cincy spend its levy money? Well, better late than never, I suppose. (Cincinnati Enquirer, 6/6/17)
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