Fixing gifted education in Ohio
Fordham’s Aaron Churchill published an op-ed on Cleveland.com last week discussing the findings of the recent Lost Einsteins report, which shows widespread problems in serving low-income and minority high achievers in Ohio. He lists a number of recommendations for changing this situation for the better, including a reference to Menlo Park Academy, the only charter school in the state focused solely on serving gifted students.
Expanding opportunity
KIPP Columbus is working to expand its campus on the city’s east side, to serve more students and to alleviate its enormous waiting list for enrollment.
School report cards released
Ohio’s school report cards were released this week, with limited but very important data available. Initial media coverage, like this piece from Cleveland.com, note some big differences in student performance between high- and low-poverty districts. Analysis does not as yet focus on charter schools in the state, but additional stories will likely be forthcoming.
The view from West Virginia
It is perhaps ironic that, in response to fierce opposition to a single charter school trying to open in West Virginia, no fewer than seven charter applications are now being reviewed for startup in the Mountain State. Here is a look at the four members of the new West Virginia Charter Board who are performing those reviews and will make the ultimate decision on the applications.
Case studies
The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools recently released a set of three case studies from California in which districts and local charter schools worked together to issue bonds for new or upgraded facilities that would benefit students in both sectors.
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