Ohio Education By the Numbers
In case you missed it, the Fordham Institute this week released the sixth edition of its Ohio Education By the Numbers publication. Fully updated for 2023, it contains a wealth of data on student enrollment, school options, performance on state and national exams, post-secondary readiness, educators, and school funding. It also includes recent data that continue to show the impacts of the pandemic on student learning. The companion interactive website is here.
Another book to pay attention to
Also out this month: Win-Win: W. Edwards Deming, the System of Profound Knowledge, and the Science of Improving Schools, a new book written by John A. Dues, Chief Learning Officer of the United Schools Network in Columbus. Published by Myers Education Press, the book offers real-world improvement strategies to education leaders. It equips readers with the knowledge and skills needed to harness the power of the System of Profound Knowledge to improve the performance of schools, systems, students, and teachers. Perfect for a variety of professional development efforts. Pre-orders for paperback and e-book versions can be placed here.
Happening in Ohio charters
Ohio Connections Academy senior Fiona Tsang was recently named a National Merit Finalist. Fiona has attended OCA since moving to Cleveland in fall of 2021 to attend the Cleveland Institute of Music Young Artist Program. She is a talented cellist who credits the flexibility of her online public charter school with successfully managing her academic and musical pursuits simultaneously. Music school awaits after graduation; but first, auditions. Best wishes to Fiona! Meanwhile, seven brick-and-mortar charter schools across the state have been awarded grants from the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission to use for facility improvement or new construction projects that will increase the supply of seats in these schools. Only high-performing charters are eligible for the grants, so huge kudos to Dayton Early College Academy, Dayton Leadership Academies, Innovations Academy West, KIPP Columbus, Midnimo Cross Cultural Community School, Patriot Preparatory Academy, and Zanesville Community High School. News coverage of the Dayton awardees is here.
The view from across the country
A bill which is set for a vote in the Tennessee Senate next week aims to expand the area from which charter schools in several counties could recruit students. Current law restricts them to the bounds of the district in which they are located. Among other provisions, SB 980 would allow up to 25 percent of a charter’s students to come from outside those boundaries. And in Nevada, legislation introduced this week would require that district schools who fall among the lowest-performing 5 percent of buildings for three consecutive years be converted to charter schools under the authorization of the state’s department of education. New school leaders would be required to develop turnaround plans focused on boosting pupil achievement and school performance and to be held accountable for reaching the goals set. SB 206 was referred to the Senate Education Committee for hearings later this month.
You’re invited
Ohio Excels is hosting an important event on the topic of literacy. It features a panel of experts in literacy policy and practice, including Dr. Carey Wright, former State Superintendent in Mississippi, and Dr. Stephanie Siddens, Ohio’s Interim State Superintendent. Attendees will also hear from front line educators and administrators about the instructional practices that are working for students in their classrooms. The in-person event will be held at the Athletic Club of Columbus on Thursday, March 23, from 8:00 – 10:30 am, with breakfast provided. More information and registration details can be found here.
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