- When editorials are presented in Gadfly Bites, I usually try to let them speak for themselves without too much commentary, but this editorial from Sunday’s Vindy (on the topic of the practicalities of the Youngstown Plan) is too unusual for that. First, it seems to be a direct response to questions raised in some other forum, the nature of which we outsiders are left guessing. Second, the effort of editors to assuage plan critics regarding universal EdChoice eligibility for Youngstown students is likely to cause more problems than it solves. Third, the lively discussion in the comments section regarding students with special needs is more interesting than the editorial. Fourth, this is one of the worst headlines ever. (Youngstown Vindicator, 8/30/15)
- Meanwhile, public radio took a look at the first day of school in Youngstown with the “threat of a state takeover looming”. Portentous much? (WKSU-FM, Kent, 8/28/15)
- Ohio governor John Kasich was thrown casually under the bus in the preceding piece. Editors in Toledo do the same as they opine, as if on repeat, in favor of charter law reform now. (Toledo Blade, 8/30/15)
- Kasich and his presidential run are front and center in this piece on Common Core. Journalism? Editorial? Who can tell? (Cincinnati Enquirer, 8/28/15)
- Back in the real world, it appears that the projects funded in the first round of Straight A grants are showing promise in terms of student and public engagement. This according to the first report to the governing board presented last week by independent analysts. Next up will be a look at the projects’ fiscal sustainability after the Straight A funding has been expended. (Gongwer Ohio, 8/28/15)
- Here’s a look at what is characterized as high teacher turnover in a number of Dayton-area school districts. Seems like it’s really only one district – Dayton City Schools – with actual high turnover coupled with larger-than-usual region-wide competition for a limited pool of new talent to fill vacancies. But that doesn’t make a good headline. (Dayton Daily News, 8/30/15)
- As noted a few weeks ago, levy-funded restoration of bus service for all students in Toledo City Schools comes with a couple of caveats. Only elementary and middle school students are riding yellow buses this year. High schoolers – with $4 million of funding – will be traveling via the area’s public transit system: TARTA. But this is not the first time students have traveled via public bus. TARTA officials are crowing in this piece about how cleverly they’ve vamped and revamped their routes to make sure that the fewest number of students experience long bus rides and require travel downtown to transfer, both of which happened last time. But not ALL high school bus riders will get the same speedy and convenient service in Toledo. Guess which high school students still have to travel downtown to transfer, taking as long as it takes to get from door to door? Surely you can guess. But if you can’t, the clue rhymes with the words “shmool shmoice”. (Toledo Blade, 8/31/15)
