- Editors in Columbus today opined on who/what the next state superintendent should not be. (Columbus Dispatch, 4/18/16)
- Score one for Scooter Computer and Mr. Chips at last? Folks in central Ohio schools say that the first wave on online state testing is going well so far this year. Although I’m pretty sure that same story ran last year after the first week too. And last year’s was such a disaster that some districts were ready to dust off their abaci and slide rules. Just ask anyone. (Columbus Dispatch, 4/17/16) A couple of Dayton-area school districts were caught unaware by a change in science testing rules for their high school freshmen. I’m sure all those kids will be fine (the issue arose because they were accelerated in science as 8th graders), but take a good look at the difference in language used by the district reps between Kettering and Northmont over the exact same situation. Miles apart in attitudes toward testing. Also note the Northmont folks would have had trouble giving the test via pencil and paper if they’d been required to. Just sayin’. (Dayton Daily News, 4/17/16) Finally, folks in Elyria schools must believe their kids will survive standardized testing (refreshing, right?) because they offered career shadowing opportunities through testing week whenever kids weren’t buckling down to show what they know. (Northern Ohio Morning Journal, 4/17/16)
- This one’s for you, Mike. Skylar LaRock is not just an awesome name for a person, she is also an awesome person killing it in computer tech classes at EHOVE career center Northern Ohio. She’s not only the go-to for tech support throughout EHOVE already, but she’s also a robot builder, business person, and live-Tweeting guru. We will hear more from Skylar soon. (Norwalk Reflector, 4/17/16)
- Finally, a couple of Youngstown updates. The search for a CEO to oversee Youngstown City Schools is being handled by the Mahoning County ESC. It is a different kettle of fish than the usual superintendent search, so they say. So why then are they going to advertise in the same old places? Hope it goes well. (Youngstown Vindicator, 4/18/16) School board president Brenda Kimble has not been interested in answering questions about recent developments in Youngstown. So says the Vindy. But their intrepid reporters used the old “unfamiliar cell phone” trick and got her on the record. What was the topic? Whether or not she has an office in the district administration building. (For the record, she is adamantly certain she does not.) I sure hope that “intestinal fortitude” is high on the list of qualifications for district CEO. (Youngstown Vindicator, 4/17/16)
