Gadfly Bites 2/26/21 – What we set out to do

1. Here’s a bit more coverage of Chad’s testimony—and that of Ohio Excels’ Lisa Gray—given this week in support of conducting testing this spring. (Ohio Capital Journal, 2/25/21)
    
2. Speaking of testing, the Preschool Promise program in Dayton is once again touting the high level of Kindergarten readiness (determined by, you guessed it, a standardized test) of the youngsters participating in their program. Link (Dayton Daily News, 2/26/21)
   
   
3. And speaking of testimony, here’s what the education establishment had to say overall about HB 1 (the current school funding overhaul bill) in committee this week. (Gongwer Ohio, 2/24/21) At another hearing the next day, more education establishment folks weighed in specifically on transportation-related provisions in HB 1. (Gongwer Ohio, 2/25/21)
    
4. In case you didn’t know it, bougie suburban Bexley City Schools—one of the very few districts in Ohio to have stated that their academic achievement grew during remote learning last spring (among many other positives)—is the best. If you don’t believe me, just ask their interim supe. He’ll tell you….distinctly. (ThisWeek News, 2/25/21) Remote learning in big urban school districts like Canton and Akron? Not nearly so good, if this story is anything to go by. (WKSU-FM, Kent, 2/25/21)
   
   
5. In bougie suburban Olmsted Falls City Schools, a whole lot of excitement—and even more plexiglass—greeted students as the district returned to a fully in-person learning model this week. (Cleveland.com, 2/23/21) Meanwhile, big urban Cleveland Metropolitan School District announced it would have to push its hybrid reopening date back by a week due to…the slowness of the postal service. Wait. Did I read that right? Yep. (Cleveland.com, 2/25/21)
    
6. In bougie suburban Mason City Schools, 22 high schoolers notched a perfect score on the ACT this year. Despite everything. (Cincinnati Enquirer, 2/25/21) But not every ‘burb is cranked up to the maximum. The teachers union in bougie suburban Upper Arlington City Schools says its members will begin working to their contract’s minimum requirements if they are forced to go to a fully in-person learning model on March 1. As is currently planned. (ThisWeek News, 2/25/21)
   
   
7. Meanwhile, in rural Seneca County, one district superintendent seems to be single-handedly spearheading the effort to increase broadband connectivity for families. (Tiffin Advertiser-Tribune, 2/23/21)
    
8. This is a really good CNN story looking in detail at how schools in Southwest Licking Local School district were able to conduct classes fully-in-person since the start of the school year. Not only that, but it is the first national story in a good while that doesn’t make Ohioans look like Flyoverland rubes who only just discovered craft mead and vegan charcuterie last week. (CNN, 2/25/21) But local news has its pluses too. Check out Toledo City Schools freshman Tamyah Griffin’s take on remote learning. She told the Blade that it was no biggie—and indeed that moving to a hybrid model for the first time this year was no problem either. Why? “Because I’m good with school” and stayed on top of her studies no matter what. Nice. (Toledo Blade, 2/25/21) 

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