Gadfly Bites 5/10/24—The learning phase

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1. House Bill 250, which would, among other things, establish two additional pathways for students to earn the state’s Military Enlistment Seal require all public schools in the state to create a cellphone use policy for students during school hours, was passed unanimously in both House and Senate this week. It is on to Governor DeWine for signature. “We’re just discovering the harms that these smart phones and social media apps are doing to our kids, said Lt. Gov. John Husted told a Cincinnati TV news reporter by way of support for the bill’s tech-related amendment. “So we’re now just in the learning phase of what policies we need to build to improve things.” (WLWT-TV, Cincinnati, 5/9/24)
    
2. There are some great quotes in this Dispatch op-ed from former Columbus City Schools elected board member Carol Beckerle. Here are a few of the best. She is talking about the important work of the Community Facilities Task Force and responding specifically to criticism of the task force by union boss John Coneglio. “We can’t let decision paralysis — a very real ‘failed past practice’ — sideline this very first step of the process,” she writes. The task force will recommend closures, Beckerle adds, “not due to some pre-ordained objective, but because improving education dictates it.” She concludes, “Once the new district footprint is established, district leaders can begin the process of preserving and replicating successful programs, implementing and expanding career education and determining what upgrades are required.” Exactly right. (Columbus Dispatch, 5/8/24)
   
   

3. Finally this week, safely on solid ground: A popular summer reading camp for K-2 students in Findlay, Ohio, is looking for more tutors to serve its expanding roster of future literacy laureates. The camp is run by the local library, with funding from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, and will be expanding into two local community center locations. School’s out, but vital learning continues. (Findlay Courier, 5/9/24)

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