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Gadfly Bites 1/31/18 - Basking in the pure glow of pragmatism

Jeff Murray
1.31.2018
  1. Editors in Toledo this week offered their opinion on the closure of ECOT. It’s generally what you’d expect, but it curiously includes something of a warning that might seem a little odd at first blush, but will not be that big of a surprise for all of my loyal Gadfly Bites subscribers. Thanks for sticking with me, y’all. (Toledo Blade, 1/29/18) I have asked myself numerous times during this debacle why we are here now. Why did this moment out of all the other possible “turning points” over the last 18 years finally stick? I know yesterday’s PD article on ECOT is not supposed to be about that question, but I think the answer to it may be in there anyway. (Cleveland Plain Ealer, 1/30/18)
     
  2. I know we’ve covered this before, but the state body tasked with reviewing proposed program rules this week approved changes to the College Credit Plus program, as expected. These cover limitations on available courses and setting up some new guardrails around student participation. Yeah, I know this is boring, but there’s a dearth of clips today and sometimes it’s refreshing to bask in the pure glow of bureaucratic pragmatism. (Gongwer Ohio, 1/29/18)
     
  3. I guess that pragmatism is the main thrust of this story too—Dayton’s school board is paying big to end the tenure of its suspended superintendent without further fuss—but I’m not sure how “pure” it is at this point. (Dayton Daily News, 1/30/18)
     
  4. It’s probably too soon (or possibly too late, who can tell?) for pragmatism to be guiding the Columbus school board in dealing with the district’s projected budget deficit. First-round efforts, as detailed here, are inconclusive. (Columbus Dispatch, 1/30/18)
Topics:
Governance
Tags: Columbus Toledo

Jeff Murray is a lifelong resident of central Ohio. He previously worked at School Choice Ohio and the Greater Columbus Arts Council. He has two degrees from the Ohio State University and lives in the Clintonville neighborhood with his wife.

He is proud every day to support the Fordham mission to help make excellent education options more…

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