Student-based budgeting in the Buckeye State
Jessica PoinerWeighted student funding, also known as student-based budgeting (SBB), is a funding mechanism that aims to allocate school resources more equitably.
More (yes, more) on Akron's graduation rate
Chad L. AldisOver the past two years, Fordham has been an outspoken critic of some of the efforts to modify Ohio’s graduation requirements. It’s not that we think the current graduation requirements are perfect. Heck, we’ve even offered a variety of ideas to modify the current framework.
How Ohio should distribute its school improvement funds
Jessica PoinerWhen state report cards are released this fall, it will be the first time that overall letter grades are assigned to districts and schools.
The tragic lack of progress for Ohio’s low-income and black students
Aaron ChurchillAchievement gaps between poor and minority students and their peers are well documented and persistent. For years, data indicate that these students have generally been making slow but steady progress.
When it comes to graduation requirements, mastery matters
Jessica PoinerA recent paper from the left-leaning Center for American Progress (CAP) examined high school graduation requirements across the nation to determine whether they were aligned with requirements for each state’s public university system.
Five takeaways from Ohio’s 2017 NAEP results
Aaron ChurchillYesterday, the U.S. Department of Education released data from the 2017 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).
Are High School Diplomas Really a Ticket to College and Work?
Jessica PoinerAn increasing number of headline-grabbing graduation scandals have renewed the public’s interest in how students earn a high school diploma.
Ohio could take a cue from Indiana on diplomas
Jessica PoinerOhio’s State Board of Education recently voted in favor of recommending that the legislature extend softer graduation requirements to the classes of 2019 and 2020.
Five ideas for resolving Ohio’s debate over graduation requirements
Chad L. AldisMalcolm X once said, “Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.” Wise words. Education has long been the source of opportunity, a passport if you will, for Americans to pursue a better life. But education isn’t a passive activity; it’s earned through hard work, preparation, attainment.
Beware of faulty claims about Ohio’s Quality Counts ranking
Jamie Davies O'LearyEducation Week just released its 22nd annual report and rankings of state education systems.
State ESSA plans embrace CTE, but there's still much work to be done
By Kate Kreamer and Ryan Reyna
National experts agree that Ohio’s school accountability system is too complicated
Aaron ChurchillLast week, Bellwether Education Partners (in partnership with the Collaborative for Student Success) released its review of Ohio’s plan to comply with the federal law known as the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
A plan to simplify and balance Ohio’s school report cards
Aaron ChurchillToday, Fordham released a new report suggesting changes to Ohio’s school report cards to help parents and taxpayers get the best information about the performance of their schools and districts. This is the preface to that report.
High achievers will benefit from most state ESSA accountability plans
Brandon L. WrightBy Brandon L. Wright
Good news for students and federalism: Most states step up on accountability under ESSA
Brandon L. Wright, Michael J. PetrilliBy Brandon L. Wright and Michael J. Petrilli
Fordham is your one-stop shop for state report card data and analysis
Ohio Education GadflyYou have no doubt seen numerous media stories regarding the recent release of school report card data in Ohio. As supporters of a robust accountability system, we urge you to pay attention to the stories and the ongoing discussion. The success of our public schools (charter and district) in doing the vital work with which they are entrusted must be assessed, reported, and analyzed.
A little known ESSA provision sheds some more light on Ohio’s graduation “fix”
Jessica PoinerA recent article in Education Week highlighted how an under-the-radar ESSA provision could spell trouble for states with multiple high school diplomas.
Watch out for unfair comparisons between charter and district schools
Jamie Davies O'LearyAs Ohio’s annual report cards are released this week, Fordham is gearing up to dive into the data and explore what it means about K-12 public education in the Buckeye State.
Three things to look for when Ohio releases school report cards this week
Aaron ChurchillThe Ohio Department of Education is expected to release report cards for the 2016-17 school year by the end of this week. Like an annual checkup with a physician, these report cards offer valuable information on the academic health of Buckeye schools and students.
Superintendent DeMaria and the “kids who don’t care”
Jessica PoinerAs part of the most recent state budget, Ohio lawmakers created alternative graduation pathways for the class of 2018 in response to widespread fears on the part of district administrator
Why all high school diplomas are not created equal
Jeff MurrayConfronted with the paradox of a simultaneous rise in high school graduation and college remediation rates, researchers from The Alliance for Excellent Education examined diploma pathways across the country for evidence as to how well they match college or career expectations.
The first 17 ESSA accountability plans correct many NCLB-era errors
Brandon L. Wright, Michael J. PetrilliBy Brandon L. Wright and Michael J. Petrilli
How states can avoid proficiency rates when measuring academic achievement under ESSA
Brandon L. WrightBy Brandon L. Wright
Three ways to improve Ohio’s ESSA plan
Aaron ChurchillIn early June, the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) released an updated draft of its ESSA plan for public comment. The department had initially intended to submit its plan earlier this spring, but after heavy pressure, state officials decided to delay submission until September.
Graduation option hurts students in long run
Jamie Davies O'LearyThis blog originally appeared as an editorial in today’s edition of the Columbus Dispatch.
Ohio shouldn’t worry about Delaware’s ESSA plan woes—yet
Jessica PoinerEarly last week, the Trump administration gave three states feedback on their submitted plans for the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
Beware of fake policy solutions
Jamie Davies O'LearyWhen I was growing up, “fake news” was the black-and-white photograph of the infamous bat child. Staring back at me in the supermarket check-out line, it was easy to spot—the line demarcating fiction from reality was as recognizable as the red and yellow tabloid headlines.