- Anyone who’s read my Ohio Gadfly pieces knows that I’m an advocate of “blowing up” entrenched ways of doing business, especially if done for the betterment of students. It’s nice to see that the venerable – and super-entrenched – Catholic education system may be looking to do just that. St. Francis de Sales High School in Toledo is not only adding middle school grades to its structure next year, but is also creating a pathway for those new middle schoolers to earn HS credit while still in middle school. Love it. One also assumes that St. Francis, being a school that accepts EdChoice vouchers, will also be able to accept voucher students in those lower grades as well. Fanastic! (Toledo Blade)
- And, just in case you missed it because it hasn’t been touted in the press yet, the new list of EdChoice-eligible district schools (those are the ones that have been ranked lowest of the low statewide for two of the last three years) is out. That means another group of 80,000 or more students who are attending persistently-failing schools who are eligible for tuition vouchers to a participating private school of their choice. Lots of familiar names on that list, and some newbies. Application window opens in less than two weeks. (Ohio Department of Education)
- What do the parents of Tipp City children want in their schools? Good teachers, according to the results of a recent parent survey. And it seems they are willing to have the district pay anything to get and retain the best. What was number two? Better school buildings, including classrooms without “excess heat” problems. Fascinating. (Dayton Daily News)
- The results of a study of the possible fiscal impact of territory transfer between the Berkshire and Ledgemont school districts are in, and appear to be entirely positive for both districts. Given that, I wonder what new objections members of the various boards will put up next. (Willoughby News Herald)
