- The elected board of Youngstown City Schools voted earlier this week to amend their academic “improvement” plan per the recommendations returned to them by the Ohio Department of Education. This included boosting up a number of their original target levels for academic growth and achievement. (Vindy.com, 11/4/21) While the Vindy.com coverage is more detailed, it does not include much beyond the events of the school board meeting and some deserved criticism from community activist Jimma McWilson. The TV news coverage, by comparison, is sparser but contains some specific commentary from newly-reelected board president Ronald Shadd. He reportedly told the WFMJ reporter that “proficiency in math is so low the goal was a realistic one set just to help the district gain back local control.” Well now. Guess it’s no wonder Mr. McWilson has issues. (WFMJ-TV, Youngstown, 11/3/21)
- The Geneva Area Local Schools teacher strike we talked about on Wednesday is over. We have no details on how the main issue—dislike for synchronous “room and Zoom” mode among teachers—was resolved. But there is no school of any kind for kids today as a result of all the hubbub. Thank goodness for that, amiright? (Fox 8 News, Cleveland, 11/5/21)
- Meanwhile, the Ohio Energy Project is continuing with virtual field trips for students across the state, to which it pivoted last year. The idea is to make sure students can still have “Careers in Engineering” experiences at various business in Ohio. Probably even more students than could participate in person, don’t you suppose? (WTOL-TV, Toledo, 11/3/21
- On the other hand, Toledo City Schools seems to be doubling down on in-person career education, spending upwards of $5 million to renovate a district building to create a new pre-med high school academy in partnership with the ProMedica health care system. (Executives from the medical mammoth are planning to be on site every day, apparently.) Students will be able to earn college credit and get career training while still in high school, and either go on to higher ed or slide directly into entry level jobs at the hospital right across the street. Color me cautiously optimistic. (Toledo Blade, 11/5/21)
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