- In case you didn't know, our own Chad Aldis is serving on the state supe’s workgroup on dropout prevention and recovery schools and was quoted following the group’s meeting earlier this week. As you might have predicted, he urged the study of data on dropout recovery students and schools to aid in decision making and any redesign/reform efforts. (Gongwer Ohio, 1/11/17)
- Miracle of miracles! The Dayton RTA drivers and mechanics strike lasted less time than the Louisville teachers strike – just four days in fact. Full service resumed this morning, which should be a great relief for all of the Dayton students who rely on RTA for school transportation. The city school board said “hundreds” of students were absent during the strike because they could not get to school. (Dayton Daily News, 1/13/17)
- Ohio this week was awarded a $2 million grant from JPMorgan Chase and the Council of Chief State School Officers (through the New Skills for Youth initiative), which is meant to strengthen career-focused education in the Buckeye State. Wonder if that’s why the House Education Committee was this week renamed to the Education and Career Readiness Committee? Just askin’. (Associated Press, 1/11/17) The only other outlet in which I’ve seen this news covered is Crain’s in CLE. Interesting. (Crain’s Cleveland Business, 1/11/17) Meanwhile in the real world, Tri-Rivers Career Center in Marion is inviting students who are currently homeschooled to check out all that they have to offer. Nice. (Marion Star, 1/11/17)
- As we’ve noted previously, the state board of ed in December called for a study group to research and make recommendations on the possibility of walking back higher graduation standards which are due to go into effect in Ohio with the Class of 2018. That group has its first meeting next week. Yesterday, Governor Kasich gave a speech in which he vowed that Ohio will stand firm on those new standards, telling the crowd gathered for his somewhat informal address that “A diploma has to mean something.” (Columbus Dispatch, 1/13/17) Speaking of Kasich, he also apparently called for district school boards across the state to add up to three local business leaders as ex-officio members to “help educators learn more about work opportunities for their students and for businesses to share their workforce needs.” (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 1/13/17) That’s a pretty interesting proposal, but I’m not sure what it means for boards like those in Fairfield Local, whose newest board member is just the sort of business leader Kasich’s talking about. And she’s probably not the only one. (Middletown Journal-News, 1/13/17)
