- I think this story is probably just as cute and benign as it comes across, but just for kicks I’m going to try to be needlessly provocative in clipping it. In the wake of the ECOT debacle/dumpster fire/implosion/horror show/disaster (circle one), a charitable foundation in rural Crawford County has announced a new college scholarship program that is—for the first time that anyone in this pastureland seemingly can recall—open to students who have attended an online school. OMG!/*Gasp!*/I am outraged!/WTF?! (circle one) Why this reckless encouragement of online charter school attendance by well-intentioned philanthropists who should clearly know better? The trustees of the foundation felt it important to offer their scholarship to online students as that option “becomes more popular” among families. Sorry to be the one to break the news to you, Rockefeller, but that option just got several-thousand-kids less popular virtually overnight. (Bucyrus Telegraph Forum, 2/6/18)
- Despite the actual provocative headline, there are very few clues in this preview of Lorain CEO David Hardy’s upcoming town hall meeting, in which he is to reveal some more nitty-gritty details of his plan to improve academic achievement in the district. But you can probably forgive the people of Lorain worrying when someone starts talking about “re-envisioning” the Colossus of Lorain (a.k.a. the schmancy “newest building of almost any kind in Lorain” high school). I would tread lightly over this particular hallowed ground if I were you, Hardy. (Northern Ohio Morning Journal, 2/6/18) Speaking of school buildings, it took a few weeks, but Columbus City Schools has decided that possible building closures should be on the list of budget cutting options under consideration as the board faces down that big ol’ deficit. (Columbus Dispatch, 2/6/18) Just a single new building is all the folks at tiny Northridge Local Schools are asking for. I can’t imagine why it’s so hard to convince the public—what with an ever-shrinking student population and an equal number of kids using open enrollment to go both out of and in to the district. Spending millions to build a new school should probably be just the ticket, right? (Newark Advocate, 2/2/18)
- We have two stories of school improvement efforts that don’t involve big money or levy votes or bulldozers. First up, the “I AM” Wall proposed for one Akron elementary school. Glover CLC is soliciting donations of framed mirrors to line an entire wall in the building. Each will feature a positive or aspirational statement beneath it to inspire students. (Akron Beacon Journal, 2/5/18) Secondly, I give you “Culture Shook”, an exchange program in which students from urban, suburban, and rural school districts visit one another to learn how the other third live. No, I don’t know who named it. Why do you ask? (ThisWeek News, 2/5/18)
- To end today on the most pragmatic note possible, the sponsor of Senate Bill 216 says that his legislation will likely undergo some more changes before moving forward. You will recall that this is the so-called “education deregulation” bill proposing to clear away a lot of red tape around areas such as testing, teacher licensure, and dual enrollment. I dunno, Yer Honor, if ODE is opposed and “more than 150 boards of education” are in support of the bill as is, maybe you’ve already hit the legislative gold mine. (Gongwer Ohio, 2/5/18)
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