- Editors in Columbus opined on the value of standardized testing in schools and the small but vocal opter-outers making noise on the topic. They’re right on the money here, noting the slippery slope that could result from curtailing testing (farewell accountability system, farewell Common Core) while also noting some practical changes that could be made to testing protocols in the state to “dial down the anxiety”. Nice There’s a number of good quotes in here, but my personal favorite is: “No 9-year-old has reason to fear a PARCC test unless an adult has instilled that fear.” Exceedingly true. (Columbus Dispatch)
- Last year, editors in Youngstown practically begged the state to take over the local schools – mired in years of fiscal and academic crisis and beset by bickering and turf warfare among adults who seem to have little interest in actually bettering education for students. Following Governor Kasich’s State of the State speech earlier this week, in which he said, “... anybody in this state that supports a reform agenda to put our children first, please come and see us… We will help you.” Today, those same editors renew their call for the district to reach out to the state with a plan for shaking up the status quo, and they throw in a plea to Youngstown State University to do the same. Yowza! (Youngstown Vindicator)
- State Auditor Dave Yost is scheduled to testify on charter law reform in the Ohio House next week. I think we may have been given a preview of his testimony via this story, wherein he announces more findings for recovery from an ill-fated charter school. To wit: “The system is busted, broken and doesn’t work… Ohio’s chaotic supervision of charter schools is inadequate and needs reformed. ” Can’t wait to hear what he’s going to add to the discussion. P.S. – there’s also a finding against a private school as well, sadly demonstrating that the charter and district realms are not the only places where adult interests can trump those of children. (Columbus Dispatch)
- Canfield schools may have some trouble with bus drivers on the horizon, as we noted earlier this week, but lunch? Sorted. Thanks to the Panini Lady. (Youngstown Vindicator)
RESEARCH BITES 2/27/15 – SCHOOL FUNDING BEYOND THE BIG 8 DISTRICTS
Earlier this week, I looked at the long-term trend in school funding in Ohio’s urban districts. Specifically, I compared per-student spending in 1980—the earliest year of data in the Cupp Reports—compared to 2013. Needless to say, the increase in spending has been quite large. Today, we look at the per-student expenditures in a few other districts—one example district from each of the state’s eight district typologies. As you can see, per-student spending has risen across the districts I sampled. Generally speaking, the normal range of per-student spending in 1980 was roughly $4,000 to $6,000. (If you go back to the prior post, Cincinnati was an uber-outlier, spending $10,300 per student in 1980!) Today, the typical range of spending lies around $9,000 to $11,000, about twice the amount as thirty-five years ago. In my view, the spending patterns may reflect a few dynamics: (a) the value society places on education has increased; (b) communties seem to more willing to entrust their local public schools with greater responsibility; and (c) districts may also be having difficulties with cost containment.
Chart: Expenditure per student in selected Ohio districts, 1980 and 2013
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Source: Ohio Department of Education, Cupp Reports Note: The 1980 expenditures are adjusted for inflation using the Consumer Price Index.
