- In case you missed it, there was a meeting of the state board of education earlier this week. In a marathon session, the board debated and voted on a couple of resolutions related to hot-button issues. (I suspect you know which buttons I mean.) There is some follow up on both the debate and the vote on one of those issues from the Dispatch today. I have often said that I am not entirely certain what the main purpose of the state board is. I will also say that I am no closer to certainty today. (Columbus Dispatch, 7/17/20)
- A town hall event was also held earlier this week which included discussion of a similar set of hot-button issues. Specifically, the topic of “local control” as regards school districts which are (still?) overseen by Academic Distress Commissions. Even with the ‘rona, the arguments against ADCs remain limited and nonsensical. Perhaps even moreso. (Elyria Chronicle, 7/17/20)
- Both of the meetings described above took place virtually and both were open to the public. I don’t know how many people really care what these folks have to say, but we know that lots of people affected by the issues being discussed do not have reliable access to the WiFi or the proper devices to even watch such virtual events, let alone participate in them. Here’s a great story detailing a push by the newly-formed Greater Cleveland Digital Equity Coalition to bridge the digital divide for the least connected citizens of not only Cleveland but of a number of inner-ring suburbs in the county as well. Education is part of the equation, especially in terms of the laptop distribution piece, but job seeking and healthcare services are also growing in stature as reason for the push to treat broadband and device access “a basic requirement of life in the 21st Century, akin to being able to make a phone call”. Best thing I’ve heard all week. (Cleveland.com, 7/17/20)
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