- Week Two of Common Core hearings got underway yesterday here in Ohio, with testimony focused in support of Ohio’s current standards and opposing HB597 seeking to repeal them. Here is a sampling of coverage: Gongwer’s coverage of testimony is not as thorough as Chad’s Twitter-mania, but very good nonetheless, focusing on the testimony of folks in-the-know on how the Common Core was created and adopted in Ohio. (Gongwer Ohio) Marc Kovac focuses on the testimony of school officials from around the state urging Ohio to stay the course on Common Core. (Youngstown Vindicator) I’m not sure how many more ways there are to opine in favor of Common Core, but editors in Cleveland continue to do so. (Cleveland Plain Dealer) Public media reporter Andy Chow notes that those in-the-know folks were here specifically to rebut misinformation given in earlier testimony. (StateImpact Ohio) Ever the political animals, Gongwer decided to ask the repeal sponsors how they rate their chances of passage. I can’t tell if the answer is optimistic or simply dogged. (Gongwer Ohio) Meanwhile, the Granville Schools board of education passed a resolution on Monday opposing the repeal of Ohio’s New Learning Standards, not only because it torches Common Core but also because it would require a rewrite of all other Ohio standards as well. (Newark Advocate)
- On to far more important matters, there is a class action lawsuit underway challenging the "adequacy of special education funding" in Ohio. The Advocate reports that as part of the proceedings, ODE has been ordered to release student data on special needs students to the lawyers representing the class. FERPA concerns and what parents can do if they object to the release is the focus of this piece. (Newark Advocate)
- We have spoken before about the “intestinal fortitude” reputed to be required of folks serving on the Academic Distress Commission in Youngstown. I am wondering after reading this piece whether that requirement is the same for folks appointed by the district as for folks appointed by the state. (Youngstown Vindicator)
- Speaking of replacements, here is an interesting behind the scenes look at the filling of a recently-vacant state board of ed seat. (Dayton Daily News)
- Finally, the effort to connect Cleveland schools to wraparound services continues apace as social service agencies get set to partner with 8 more schools. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
