- As promised, the Ohio Department of Education will create a new charter school sponsor evaluation process after the previous version was rescinded amid complaints that e-schools’ performance were not included as part of their sponsors’ ratings. (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 8/19/15) A three-person panel was named to advise the department in creating the new evaluation process. The panel includes the superintendent of Perrysburg Exempted Village Schools. But instead of interviewing him, the Blade instead grabs a quote from a state representative who “doesn’t have much faith” in the new panel. Sorry, local supe. (Toledo Blade, 8/20/15)
- Not to worry, Perrysburg Supe, your own people love you. Or at least your district. 65% of respondents to a recent survey say that Perrysburg Exempted Village Schools deserves a grade of A. Less than 2 percent said the grade should be a D or F. This is a no-stakes poll, really, with a majority of respondents being senior citizens, but still those results have got to take the sting away a little for the boss. (Toledo Blade, 8/21/15)
- Speaking of high marks, this guest commentator – a teacher at an online charter school – opines in praise of online schooling. (Cincinnati Enquirer, 8/20/15)
- Speaking of opinions, editors in Cleveland received their Google calendar reminder and opined yet again in favor of quick and decisive action by the vacationing legislature on charter law reform. (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 8/21/15) Someone has hacked Brent Larkin’s calendar as well, as he joined in the opining about charter law reform – in his usual curmudgeonly fashion and grinding a few additional axes along the way. (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 8/21/15)
- There are a number of axes being ground in this ABJ piece as well, ostensibly about a charter school management company who has, and continues to, sue for restitution teachers who leave its schools in violation of their employment contracts. (Akron Beacon Journal, 8/19/15)
- On a brighter note, the school year has begun in many schools and districts across the state. It is a particularly exciting new year for the Global Impact STEM Academy in Springfield. They have a brand new home in a renovated historic high school building. They and their students are raring to go. Congratulations to the GISA family and best wishes for a great year. (Springfield News-Sun, 8/19/15)
