- Fordham was name-checked as a “reputable” charter school sponsor as editors in Columbus opined on recent stories about the questionable lease deals enjoyed by some Imagine charter schools. (Columbus Dispatch)
- The story here is likely to be “more charter school shenanigans” as far as charter detractors are concerned, but a few things about this story of a former school leader convicted of fiscal malfeasance stand out to me. First, questionable spending came to light via a tip to the state auditor’s office. This is typical of how these things go with district schools, ESCs, and even student booster clubs. The news is full of them. Second, the tip came in 2013 and was acted upon quickly and decisively. It is over in less than a year, with repayment of funds ordered. Far quicker and simpler than Columbus’ data scrubbing crimes and even some athletic booster misfeasance that has been floating around for two years or more. Third, and perhaps most important, the charter schools in question survived the removal of a leader (good riddance) and seem to be continuing to serve their students as well as or better than the neighborhood schools. Call it shenanigans if you must and call for an end to all charters, but I think this is actually a very positive story of how it should work in any public entity where misfeasance is found. (Cincinnati Enquirer)
- Keeping with the theme of charter schools for a moment, here’s a story about a family for whom a virtual school has worked very well for the last three years – addressing issues of bullying, special needs instruction, and family scheduling. Ostensibly, the story is geared around National Bullying Prevention Month in October, discussing the anti-bullying efforts in place in a number of districts in Northern Ohio, but also making note of a fairly comprehensive list of school choice options for families for whom their school district of residence is not the optimal choice, for whatever reason. Nice. (Willoughby News Herald)
- Last week we noted some Franklin-esque philosophizing around school budgets. Today, we’ll conclude with some even more homespun philosophizing, this time upon the issue of testing. The PD quotes State Sen. Peggy Lehner’s term "testing mania" to describe the state of play in Ohio. But the superintendent of Aurora Schools puts it this way, comparing teaching to testing: “To grow a pig, you feed it more. You don't weigh it more." I’ll leave it to sager minds than my own to deconstruct this. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
