- We start this week with a follow up from Friday’s Bites. No, in fact, Lorain City Schools was not empowered by state ‘rona waivers to issue retroactive diplomas to former students from the mid-90s. The Ohio Department of Education informed them thusly—probably after reading about the “literal and liberal” interpretation of the waiver law in the MJ same as I did. The practice has stopped and all the previously-issued ersatz diplomas have been rescinded. (Morning Journal, 8/14/20)
- Here’s another look at the new plan to boost the number of Ohio adults who have attained postsecondary credentials or degrees. It is good and interesting and shows a lot of promise. There is no discussion, though, of how many folks these days lack postsecondary credentials due to an initial lack of a high school diploma—or, more likely, due to possession of low-quality one. Just sayin’. (Dayton Daily News, 8/14/20)
- Although Columbus and Reynoldsburg City Schools are noted briefly, this article on the possibility of a massive “COVID slide” in student learning focuses predominantly on suburban Grandview Heights City Schools here in central Ohio. Tiny. Bougie. Parochial. That Grandview Heights. (Columbus Dispatch, 8/15/20) If you would like some more insight beyond Grandview’s tree-lined educational ramparts, check out this story on two district teachers who retired before the start of the 2020-21 school year, which begins today. While the ‘rona is part of their decision, it seems like it was actually past time for these two to unfurl their golden parachutes. It’s just that the idyllic heights of Grandview and the joys of working in its hallowed halls of learning were just too pleasant to give up. (ThisWeek News, 8/17/20)
- After first announcing that it would start school fully in-person, Grandview Heights City School district ratcheted down to hybrid, and then to fully remote learning, a decision announced August 1. And that is how school will be starting there today—virtually—the same way that most school districts in Central Ohio will reopen this year. This despite the fact that at least 75 percent of the survey responses collected by those districts indicated that parents supported some form of in-classroom instruction. The district officials quoted in this piece are quick to say that those surveys were not intended to be ironclad preferences. Just measures of “family perceptions of each of the different models.” Whatevs, I guess. But I personally think it is interesting that the only ones speaking on the record about this are representatives of more bougie suburban districts. (Columbus Dispatch, 8/17/20)
- Speaking of which, it seems that pandemic pods are part of the educational landscape here in central Ohio now. And I bet you'll never guess where they are! (10TV News, Columbus, 8/17/20)
- Here’s a look at the “new normal” opening day trepidations of several first-year teachers starting their careers in various Stark County school districts. Yes, you guessed it this time: All suburbans. I am not super inspired here, but I am (as you all already know) hopelessly jaded about some of these things. Anyway, Godspeed, everyone. (Canton Repository, 8/17/20)
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