- While I am not at all surprised to learn that there are parents in Ohio who are very happy about the expansion of EdChoice vouchers to near-universal status (including themselves), I am surprised to see those folks getting plenty of real estate in media coverage already. It’s almost enough to drown out the grouchers in this piece. Amazing. (Spectrum News 1, 7/10/23) While I am not at all surprised to also learn that there are school districts in Ohio who are very happy about the fact that the elimination of mandatory retention for third graders who didn’t reach proficiency extends retroactively to 2022-23 third graders, I am surprised to see them saying that quite so blatantly in media coverage already. It’s almost enough to drown out the district official who says “we still want to give intensive supports to our non-proficient kids no matter what the law says” as quoted in the bowels of this piece. Amazing…ly sad. (Toledo Blade, 7/11/23)
- Here’s a couple of “only to be found in Gongwer” pieces looking at the goings-on at the State Board of Education meeting held earlier this week. The first piece discusses the process for moving most of the board’s responsibilities into the new Department of Education and Workforce, which is already moving full speed ahead thanks to the enthusiastic-sounding diligence of current Ohio Department of Education staffers. It is also Exhibit A for why it was a vitally necessary change. The quotes from board members included here indicate very clearly for me where their concerns really lie. And I’d say it sure ain’t student achievement. (Gongwer Ohio, 7/10/23) When they got down to actual business, state board members got an update on some other budget provisions they might have been paying less attention to: Transportation changes. The innovative changes—like smaller vehicle use and an ESC pilot program—were namechecked, but the Gongwer coverage focused way more on strengthened punitive measures for district non-compliance. No idea why. (Gongwer Ohio, 7/11/23)
- Let’s talk about supes, baby. First up, if you can stand another exit interview with former Cleveland Schools leader Eric Gordon, I can. Especially when it’s one conducted by Patrick O’Donnell, who has been there for Gordon’s entire tenure…times 2…and then some. (The 74, 7/11/23) On the other end of the term scale, Akron City Schools’ brand new superintendent, C. Michael Robinson, was introduced to the elected board and the gathered public at a meeting earlier this week. The elected board president said that the start of Robinson’s tenure is a critical time for the district since “public schools face a number of challenges such as critical challenges with staffing, attendance, funding, safety and security matters and much more.” Here’s hoping that boosting student achievement pops to someone’s attention via that “much more” category at some point. But who knows? (Cleveland.com, 7/11/23) Finally, the elected board that runs Dayton City Schools voted in an interim superintendent at their meeting last night. He is current business manager David Lawrence. Good luck, sir. I’m sorry to say I think you’ll need a lot of it. (Dayton Daily News, 7/11/23)
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