NOTE: There are no April Fools jokes in here. That ain’t my thing. You want jokes, try here.
- Ohio has long been known as a net producer of teachers: as in, producing more ed school grads than new teachers needed in a given year. It seems however, that the overall numbers have been dropping in recent years, and grads with certain in-demand specialties (think middle and high school math and science, foreign languages, and physical education) have already fallen below the level of need. Fordham friend Tom Lasley and other heavy hitters weigh in on options facing ed schools – and K-12 schools – in the Buckeye State. Pretty active and interesting comments section on this piece also. (Columbus Dispatch, 3/31/16)
- One school district which seems to be experiencing the aforementioned scarcity of high school math teachers is Youngstown City Schools, if increasingly vocal parents and community members are to be believed. Many changes are afoot in Youngstown, all the leaders currently in place seemingly resigned to soldiering on without an Academic Distress Commission for the foreseeable future. One thing that they say will not change is the Youngstown Early College School, the “shining star” of the district. Check out this piece for a little of the public back and forth on the proposed changes in Y’town…quotes which probably belie a far-more-vigorous behind the scenes “conversation” on same. (Youngstown Vindicator, 3/31/16)
- Ditto in Dayton City Schools, where public comments seem to indicate some behind the scenes info not yet (and probably never) made public. The topic this time: the status of negotiations between the board and their superintendent and treasurer. Decisions on both administrators’ contracts should be known by May 1. (Dayton Daily News, 3/31/16)
