- Fordham is namechecked and Vladimir Kogan’s guest post for the Ohio Gadfly is discussed in this article about the whole “Similar Students Model” vs. Value-Added conundrum currently doing the rounds here in Ohio. Cage match, anyone? (Akron Beacon Journal, 11/24/15)
- Here is a ton more detail on committee proposals for fixing Ohio’s charter sponsor review process. Interesting if esoteric stuff. The public comment period on these proposals runs until December 7. (Gongwer Ohio, 11/23/15)
- My kids got their PARCC test scores in the mail earlier this week. All is well in the Murray household. This piece discusses the full process of informing families of the students’ test scores – individually, districts, and statewide. One question from me not answered here or in earlier stories about this: what impact will opter-outers have on the emerging data? (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 11/25/15)
- Quick – what were YOU doing in 2005? I was watching the first series of the newly-revived Doctor Who. The Ohio Department of Education was reducing what are known as “foundation payments” for three of the largest school districts in the state due to lower-than-expected enrollment. Those reductions have been contested by the districts for ten years now. Since 2009, so has retroactive legislation intended to end the contretemps. Next week, the Ohio Supreme Court will hear arguments in the ongoing case. Talk about some stale leftovers! (Gongwer Ohio, 11/24/15) Also happening next week: more hearings on a bill that would keep Ohio school districts from challenging real estate owners who think they’re paying too much in property taxes. (Akron Beacon Journal, 11/25/15)
- Brenda Kimble, president of the Youngstown Board of Education, took some time this week to answer concerns regarding her appointee to the new Academic Distress Commission. There are two main areas of concern. First is that Dr. Carol Staten is not a current full-time teacher in the district. In response, Kimble read the definition of “teacher” from the Ohio Revised code (which Dr. Staten fulfills) and then made clear what her ADC appointee is there to do: “It’s a liaison to take the concerns of the board back to the academic distress commission.” Sounds cut-and-dried to me. Second is that Staten is Kimble’s cousin. “There are other members in this school district," Kimble said in response, "who could have a family reunion without leaving the building.” That, also, sounds cut-and-dried. (Youngstown Vindicator, 11/25/15)
