- No end in sight for the Youngstown teacher strike, despite negotiations yesterday. More to follow later today. (WFMJ-TV, Youngstown, 9/6/23). No update on that proposed legislation to end Academic Distress Commissions in Ohio (which, even if passed, would solve exactly one of the issues currently under polite discussion in Youngstown). In the interim, here’s a look at life in East Cleveland City Schools, which is also nominally under an Academic Distress Commission. Lots of talk about fancy facilities (despite a shrinking population), but the bottom line is that even without new legislation, the district is poised to exit academic distress oversight very soon. To wit: East Cleveland schools have already achieved nine out of 20 of the improvement goals they set for themselves, including goals in early literacy, the number of high school students passing Algebra II, and the number of students completing cocurricular activities. They only need to meet 11 goals by the end of next school year. Any new legislation notwithstanding. Lucky kids and families, amiright? (Ideastream Public Media, 9/5/23)
- Meanwhile, in the world of data, preliminary state test scores from the spring have been made available on a limited basis, including to OSU research guru Vlad Kogan. He says, in short, that English language arts growth seems solid in Ohio schools, but post-Covid recovery in math appears less robust. Subgroup data remains troubling across the board. More data and more analysis to come. (Columbus Dispatch, 9/5/23) Also in on the early data drop: District leaders, including those in Akron City Schools. Not just test scores, but almost all measures that will eventually make up their state report cards. The picture here seems pretty similar to what Professor Kogan outlines, but do note that “progress” does not mean actual success, especially given how far many districts fell during Covid-era disruptions. (Akron Beacon Journal, 9/5/23)
- Tiny bit of discussion of report cards in this interview with new-ish Cleveland Metropolitan School District CEO Warren Morgan. But a whole lot of other stuff takes up most of the real estate, including transportation, curriculum, and student safety. (Spectrum News 1, 8/31/23)
- Before I read this piece, I would have said I was sure Yellow Springs Exempted Village Schools had nothing to worry about—regarding their upcoming report card or anything else. But after reading it, I’m not so sure. It’s not only the admittedly smartphone-addicted staff (who still will likely NOT be required to stow their phones in Pricey Pouches even if the students eventually are) but also the ???. Yikes. (Yellow Springs News, 9/2/23)
- So much noise from voucher grouchers old… (Cleveland.com. 9/5/23) …and new this week. Despite all the hot air, the only new thing I learned was that we have a preliminary date for the voucher trial: November 4, 2024. (Dayton Daily News, 9/6/23)
- Finally today: Penta Career Center in northwest Ohio has more students interested in accessing its career tech programs than the building can currently accommodate. Moves are afoot to help serve more students in construction, phlebotomy, digital video production, and the like. Awesome news! (Toledo Blade, 9/4/23)
Did you know you can have every edition of Gadfly Bites sent directly to your Inbox? Subscribe by clicking here.
Policy Priority:
Topics:
