Gadfly Bites 4/24/26—Some celebrations are different than others

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As was noted prominently in last Friday’s Bites, not every school district in Ohio is submitting its chronic student absenteeism data to the state’s new live dashboard. Columbus City Schools is one of those yet to opt in, but the Dispatch is able to bring us their data anyway (based on a recent public presentation before the elected school board), along with the laudable trends. Columbus is currently on track for a 49.6 percent chronic absenteeism rate this year. Despite that very large number, this is their best showing since pre-pandemic times, down from 52.6 percent in 2024-2025. Like everyone else, their peak was in 2020-2021 (75.6 percent), but all of this is still well above their 2019-2020 rate of 33 percent. District supe says, “This is a celebration that we’ve made significant progress,” but the numbers are “still a concern.” I’d say so, yes. (Columbus Dispatch, 4/23/26)
This national piece on the topic of dwindling student attention spans is datelined from Toledo, Ohio, and includes numerous examples from a district elementary school. (Think jumping jacks, walking in circles, wiggly chairs, affirmations, deep breathing, etc.) The bottom line, per a teacher from Arizona: “Teachers are going to have to be more engaging for students.” (Washington Post, 4/24/26)
Let’s end the week with some good news. First up, Ohio Connections Academy superintendent Marie Hanna was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Ohio Council of Community Schools earlier this month. She is currently serving her 22nd year with the OCA, the state’s largest online charter school. Kudos to her for her amazing work! (Warren County Post, 4/22/26) Next is wishing a very happy birthday to Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, Ohio! The state’s oldest high school—a secular, private, college-prep boarding and day school—is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year. Sounds incredible! (WKYC-TV, Cleveland, 4/23/26)