- Metro Early College High School in Columbus announced earlier this week that it will begin a new program next year called Metro Institute of Technology, a partnership with Franklin University (a business college) and Columbus State Community College. MIT (clever, yes?) will be a five-year high school experience at the end of which students will earn a high school diploma and either an Associates Degree or an industry credential. This program was pitched during last year’s Straight-A Grant cycle but was rejected. Additional donors and partners have allowed the school – an independent, STEM-focused school open to all students via lottery – to go forward with it. Full disclosure: I love Metro, am therefore heavily biased, and consequently wish them and their students great success with this venture. (Columbus Dispatch 4/1/15)
- Speaking of innovation, Marion City Schools has received a grant of nearly $20,000 – from an engineering/architecture firm – to buy iPads and apps for autistic students and their teachers. The app is designed to help students bridge what can often be imagery-based world and the more word-based world of education. It is also intended as an easy way for teachers to check in with their students via technology. Congratulations to Marion schools and best of luck with the new project. I’m hopeful we’ll get updates on how it’s going. (Marion Star, 4/2/15)
- Due to the financial strain of declining enrollment, St. Aloysius Catholic School in East Liverpool will be closing for good at the end of this school year, after serving local children for 130 years. The article does not mention the EdChoice scholarship, but St. Aloysius accepts vouchers, as does the nearest other Catholic school, St. Paul in Salem. Hopefully voucher parents know their scholarships are easily and simply transferrable, to help ease a difficult transition. (Canton Repository, 4/1/15)
- Schumacher Elementary in Akron City Schools has been working hard to eliminate disciplinary “chaos” in their school. The headline of this piece touts classical music and single-gender classrooms as important strategies, but there are far more interesting and effective efforts detailed within. This is worth a look, and I don’t even think I’ll mention the unnecessary and pointless swipes at charter schools. Much. (Akron Beacon Journal, 4/2/15)
