- As the song says, “There’s a war goin’ on out there somewhere.” It seems to be a war on knowin’ stuff and it’s being waged in the state board of education. First up, the board seems disposed to extend the “temporary” diploma pathways for the Class of 2018—the ones that sidestep end of course exams—to the Classes of 2019 and 2020 at least. Happy Hanukkah kids! Chad is quoted here with this pearl of wisdom: “Tests aren't the problem… The problem is that too many Ohio students are finishing high school without adequate math and reading skills.” (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 12/12/17) Additionally, the state board approved a recommendation to the state legislature to eliminate three sets of tests statewide. These are the English I exam, WorkKeys, and tests given to students which are used to evaluate teachers. Merry Christmas kids! (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 12/12/17)
- In his comments on the graduation requirements issue, Chad noted that the bar was previously raised in part because businesses were saying they were having trouble finding qualified candidates to fill in-demand jobs. Probably coincidentally, Governor Kasich was reminding business leaders of that lack-of-qualified-applicants situation yesterday. His fix, once again, centers on trying to link business and K-12 in partnership. Hopefully it goes better than his last attempt. Just sayin’. (Columbus Dispatch, 12/12/17)
- Also probably coincidentally, Jeremy Kelley took a look at the recent NCES report on graduation rates nationwide and in Ohio. Despite the overall good news, he still seems concerned—mostly for the lagging numbers achieved by black students. My personal concern is that if many of the kids with diplomas don’t know anything, what do the kids without diplomas know? (Dayton Daily News, 12/12/17) Probably unrelated (probably), Dayton City Schools continues to hemorrhage students, resulting in at least three school buildings operating under 30 percent of capacity. The district wants to get closer to 70 percent capacity in its buildings, meaning that a number of them may close at the end of the school year. Somehow, no teachers will be let go in this process. I’ll let you try and figure out that math. (Dayton Daily News, 12/12/17)
- Editors in Columbus yesterday opined for an end to the ECOT saga. Funny, I imagine the school’s leaders are probably opining similarly. (Columbus Dispatch, 12/12/17)
- We now have the final list of candidates throwing their hats into the ring to become the next superintendent of Columbus City Schools. It includes local, state, and national figures—principals, superintendents, and others. Fingers crossed for a good one! (Columbus Dispatch, 12/11/17)
- One of the Columbus supe candidates is Ty Olverson, currently second-in-command to Krish Mohip in Youngstown. I can’t imagine why he would want to leave there so soon after joining up. Oh. Maybe this is why. (Youngstown Vindicator, 12/13/17)
- It’s flu season here in Ohio, but sick students and their parents need to be aware of the state’s new absenteeism rules. At least one parent in Canton is worried that her son will fall afoul of the new rules and be labeled habitually absent. She seems pretty steamed and supports repeal of the law that created the new paradigm, but the reps from Canton and other districts quoted here seem to be OK with the new status quo. It seems to me that creating a “make up plan” for students to remediate work after a long absence is kind of a good idea. Why it had to be legislated is probably a question worth asking. (Canton Repository, 12/11/17)
- Speaking of illness, district employees in Akron City Schools will soon have their very own health care facility, specially-built and fully paid for by the district with no co-pays and minimal fees. This is over and above their insurance plan. I will spare you all my knee-jerk outrage but I still have a couple of questions. First up, isn’t DaVita a for-profit company? And if so, how much taxpayer money will be going to them for this? Additionally, a little birdie tells me that Akron’s traditional health care facilities (i.e.—non-profit hospitals) are pretty darn good already—a fact alluded to in the piece—without this new and exclusive diamond studded trinket. I think an investigative piece is probably in order here, and I can think of one particular guy who would be perfect for the job. He’s probably the one dogged crusader who could get to the bottom of… What? Oh, right. He’s not on the education beat anymore. Never mind, then. Carry on. (Akron Beacon Journal, 12/11/17)
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