- Fordham’s Chad Aldis has been having a sort of radio revival this week, returning to a number of radio stations to talk Common Core for the second or even third time. Sadly, the questions haven’t really changed, and even discussion of the status of the latest legislative assault on Common Core in Ohio isn’t prevalent. Odd. First up today, WSPD-AM in Toledo, where Chad answered questions from host Scott Sands and callers for nearly half an hour. Next up, WFIN-AM in Findlay, where it was just Chad and host Chris Oaks. Chad’s part starts at about the 2:45 mark.
- Chad’s testimony on HB228 from last week, urging the legislature to slow down on their efforts to place an arbitrary time limit on the amount of state testing, is referenced in this piece from Marion published yesterday. A bit old news, but we’ll take it. (Marion Online)
- So, what’s the up-to-date haps on HB228 (the kids still say “what’s the haps?”, right?)? It was recommended by the House Education Committee yesterday by a vote of 12-3 to send the bill to the full House. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
- Editors in Cleveland opine on NCTQ’s latest report, evaluating a number of teacher training programs across the country. Ohio universities whose programs were graded low are bothered by several points. The PD’s editors are not unsympathetic, but they fall upon the side of rigor and anything that legitimately detracts from rigor should be investigated and improved. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
- It’s a two-fer from Ashtabula today (the kids still say “two-fer”, right?) First up, a look at open enrollment. All the districts in Ashtabula County accept open enrollment students from their neighbors. The biggest net loser of students via open enrollment is Ashtabula Area City Schools. They do not like this state of affairs. The district’s response: go to Columbus and ask for more money. In over 700 words on the subject, not a single parent is interviewed nor does anyone from AACS ever think to ask why so many children are leaving the district. Sad. Geneva Area City Schools is the biggest “receiver” of open enrollment students in the county, but the Star Beacon says don’t envy the big boys. They’ve got problems of their own: Charter schools. Specifically, virtual schools which have “taken” a whopping 93 students from Geneva this year. The usual anti-charter tropes are trotted out here, although we do get to hear from a virtual school operator on the record. But honestly, I’m not sure why she bothered. No amount of factual, well-reasoned, and even-toned answers can compete when the mindset of the monopoly is, “The majority of charters are not fiscally responsible.” If this is what they say on the record, who knows what they say when the mics aren’t on? Game over. (Ashtabula Star Beacon)
