- Say you’re someone who wants to open a charter school in Cincinnati, but say that your sponsor was warned in no uncertain terms by the Ohio Department of Education that your school was not allowed to open for a number of, say, very good reasons. What do you do? The folks at Hope4Change took what we’ll call a “counterintuitive” approach. (Cincinnati Enquirer)
- Week Three of Common Core hearings was short and sweet compared to previous iterations. I am sorry that I missed this editorial from Cleveland opining in exasperation at the “circus-like” nature of the hearings to that point, but honestly nothing about that description changed yesterday and it’s still a valid comment. (Cleveland Plain Dealer) A revised and amended version of HB597 was debuted yesterday. Gongwer’s coverage focuses on details of all the changes, and takes time to predict more committee hearings in the future. (Gongwer Ohio) Public radio’s Andy Chow discusses the changes in the bill made yesterday but notes that no further hearings or next steps were announced. (WKSU-FM, Kent) As it has done for the last two weeks, covering in the PD remained focused on the issue of ID in the bill – specifically, new language that the sponsor says will address concerns of those who oppose Intelligent Design being taught in schools. (Cleveland Plain Dealer) The change in language related to creationism also gets top billing in the Big D’s coverage, but I would draw your attention to the House Speaker’s comments about the future prospects of the bill. (Columbus Dispatch)
- Back in the real world, a state report to the Lorain Academic Distress Commission says that Lorain schools are at a “tipping point” on the verge of turning to a more positive school climate and academic success. Here’s hoping this is true. (Northern Ohio Morning Journal)
- Toledo Public Schools is looking to expand its “community hub” program – incorporating social services within the school community – to more buildings. (Toledo Blade)
- Officials in Austintown schools unveiled a new sensory room for students with special needs this week. (Youngstown Vindicator)
- Scientific American features a guest blog by the principal of a Reynoldsburg STEM school, discussing the ways that he has found to incorporate both test-based accountability and more intangible measures of student success into his school. Just the way it ought to be. (Scientific American)