- The pointed language and slant in this story about busing of K-12 students in Akron (all students that is – district, charter, and private) is impossible to miss, and a number of pertinent facts about how busing actually works in Ohio are absent or elided. I’m going to avoid the obvious bait and simply point out that if families weren’t choosing to go to schools other than Akron City Schools, the “problem” would be far less than is presented here, even without changes to current busing rules. And that the lone parent interviewed gave a pretty cogent reason for choosing another option. (Akron Beacon Journal, 11/30/15)
- Perhaps the good folks at Akron City Schools should take a break from the echo chamber and read this piece instead. After decades of serious decline, Cleveland Metropolitan School District is cautiously reporting a possible gain in its student population. If it proves to be true, officials in the CLE will have some celebrating to do. What is most instructive at this point, however, is that district officials are crunching the numbers daily and actively trying to figure out where new students are coming from, what district schools they are choosing, and why in order to do more of what already appears to work. And there is not one jot of discussion about transportation in this piece. (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 11/30/15)
- Also not living in the echo chamber is Patrick Herrel, CEO of Accelerate Great Schools in Cincinnati, with whom a short Q&A was published in the Enquirer over the weekend. He seems to have put together his organization remarkably quickly, if he does say so himself, but of course the real evidence is still to come. I am most intrigued by this statement: “We are thrilled to announce our first two investments in a few short weeks.” Stay tuned to Gadfly Bites! (Cincinnati Enquirer 11/28/15)
- The sponsor of a stalled bill that would abolish zero tolerance policies in Ohio schools is cautiously optimistic that the legislation might be revived in the General Assembly after the holiday recess. (Columbus Dispatch, 11/30/15)
