Gadfly Bites 7/31/24—But mostly emotional

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Still playing catch up today from a busy clips landscape after vacation. Today’s pieces cover 7/25 – 7/30/24.

1. Fordham’s Chad Aldis is quoted in this Science of Reading piece from The 74. Are Ohio’s districts and charter schools ready for the mandated switch away from three-cueing and whole language literacy instruction? Chad says probably not, but that’s OK. “The idea that districts after February or March would be able to purchase new curricula, get teachers trained and be up to speed would have been a little bit ambitious,” he says. “I wish it could have been done sooner. But the process just took time so I think it’s a fair result that we see.” That’s good enough for me, but it sure seems like some folks in the education establishment have been counting on such a forebearant attitude, since we are told that the switch from old ways to new ways of teaching is “both a logistical and emotional challenge”. And there’s no provision for emotional upheaval in legislation. (The 74, 7/29/24)
   
   

2. Speaking of emotional topics (were we, really?), school closure has certainly been a big tear-jerker around here recently. Thus I can imagine that a recent off-the-cuff suggestion from the Ohio Senate’s Education Committee Chair that traditional district school buildings could be closed or reconstituted for extended poor performance might bring forth some wailing if the idea gets any wider attention. Right now it’s only been noted in Gongwer—along with the point that charter schools have faced this harsh reality for years—so we’re probably safe from any emotional uprising for the moment. No promises for the fall, though. (Gongwer Ohio, 7/25/24)
   
   

3. Staying on topic, a recent op-ed in the print version of the Dispatch (but not online yet, for some reason) credits the “power of the people” for successfully pausing Columbus City Schools’ efforts to close a number of district schools in the name of efficiency and right-sizing. (Columbus Dispatch, 7/25/24) And indeed, one elected school board member (yeah, that one, so take it with a grain of salt) says he’s certain no closure vote will happen in the foreseeable future, despite the obvious need. “Ultimately, I don’t think my colleagues have the gumption to tell you. That’s the truth,” he said. “There’s just not the political will to do what needs to be done.” (ABC 6 News, Columbus, 7/30/24) In fact, I think this piece—in which the City of Columbus and school district officials lay out a complicated and years-long series of land and building swaps in order to build a new indoor pool for the people—tells us all we need to know about what’s really going to happen. While the deal appears to me to ultimately cost the taxpayers district more money than it could possibly save, it would allow for the divestment of several school buildings without the messy (and emotional) requirement to offer them to charter schools first. Which is what really matters to all of the decision makers in question, elected school board and elected city council members alike. (Columbus Dispatch, 7/26/24)
   
   

4. It’s the last day of July, which means that the new school year will be upon us in a matter of weeks. Let’s prepare by previewing the opening of a brand new bilingual charter school in Painesville… (News-Herald, 7/28/24) …the arrival of the first classical education charter school in northeast Ohio… (Cleveland 19 News, 7/29/24) …and the bigger and better Springfield Sports Academy charter school, getting ready to open its doors for year two. (Springfield News-Sun, 7/30/24) Oh my. I think I’m getting a little misty…

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