- Budget analysis remains a little thin, but we’ll go with what we have. First up, Fordham’s Vice President for Ohio Policy Chad Aldis (oh yes he is) told Spectrum News this week that the reorganization of education governance in the state and the expansion of EdChoice to near-universal status via the budget bill are big deals. “These policy initiatives, along with a number of others, likely make this budget the most significant for Ohio's schools and families in decades.” (Spectrum News 1, 7/5/23) Fordham’s Ohio Research Director Aaron Churchill was focused solely on the voucher thing when quoted for Ohio public radio, but he concurred with the “big deal” estimation. “With this budget in place, Ohio parents will have more quality educational options within their reach.” Kudos to reporter Conor Morris for seeking out commentary from a couple of private school leaders on the same topic. (WOSU-FM, Columbus, 7/7/23) Fordham friend Tom Lasley of Learn to Earn Dayton focuses on the enshrinement of the science of reading in state law in this op-ed, giving kudos to Governor DeWine and state legislators’ successful efforts via the budget bill. “A shared vision of Ohio’s children thriving, combined with evidence-based decision making, should be what guides future policy and investment.” Indeed, sirs. Indeed. (Columbus Dispatch, 7/7/23)
- Wellston High School valedictorian Grace Plummer is profiled in this piece from the Catholic Times because she credits her K-8 education at Ss. Peter and Paul School for her success in the district high school and for her desire to become a doctor someday. Not only was there no Catholic high school nearby for the Plummer family to choose when the time came, Ss. Peter and Paul actually closed for good in May after serving students for 115 years. The nearest K-8 school is now more than 30 miles away from Wellston. Hopefully the legacy of Ss. Peter and Paul will at least carry on through graduates like Grace. (Catholic Times Columbus, 7/5/23)
- I have not been covering the superintendency saga in Lakota Local Schools here in the Bites because the to-ing and fro-ing seemed a little bit manufactured to me. It was silly, but not in the way that I like. However, in a “hold my root beer” move that I can only assume was designed to get my attention, the Lakotans (for surely that is what they are called) have snagged themselves a somewhat unlikely interim supe: Dayton City Schools’ Elizabeth Lolli. You read that right: After announcing she was going to leave Dayton in January, then signing a one year contract to stay in Dayton in April, Lolli is now actually leaving Dayton to become interim supe in Lakota. Why interim? Because the elected Lakotans who run the district did not care for the permanent supe finalists they interviewed last month and want more time for a do-over. See what I mean about “manufactured”? Why would you dunk on your own finalists like that? Be that as it may, I predict that the ripple effects of this latest move will likely be huge…in a lot of ways. (Dayton Daily News, 7/6/23)
- Canton Harbor High School, a dropout recovery charter school in northeast Ohio, is adopting a new schedule this fall which is being touted as a four-day week. It’s actually called “4 Plus 2” and it goes like this: four days of “typical” classes (which are probably not super typical anyway, being a school designed to help kids who have not thrived in traditional education environments) followed by two hours of personalized instruction time with teachers on Fridays. Is it innovation for kids? Is it mental health care for teachers? Is it an effort to forestall or alleviate staff shortages? All of the above, says the principal! (Canton Repository, 7/6/23) If by chance you can’t access the Rep’s subscriber-only coverage, check out this version from local news. (Fox 8 News, Cleveland, 7/6/23)
- Speaking of innovations meant to improve education for kids (were we, really?), Fairborn High School is joining the no-phones-in-school club this fall. A.k.a. – The Pouch Pack. (Dayton Daily News, 7/5/23)
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Your humble clips compiler—Jeff Murray ([email protected])
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