- Fordham’s Aaron Churchill is quoted and blogs from Jessica Poiner are linked in this national piece looking at the education wins in Ohio’s most recent state budget. (The 74, 7/31/19)
- Remember that optimism I cautiously espoused last week regarding the elected school board in Lorain? I withdraw the optimism. The board voted in its emergency meeting to place a levy on the November ballot, but vowed to withdraw it if the districts is still under the control of an Academic Distress Commission as the early voting deadline approaches. So as to not give them money to someone other than themselves. Classy, right? (Elyria Chronicle, 8/2/19) Editors at the MJ opine inexplicably in favor of this tactic…and way more besides. (Morning Journal, 8/3/19)
- Speaking of school boards and their interests, the elected school board in Wellsville Local Schools down along the Ohio/West Virginia border voted to increase the GPA required for athletic eligibility to 1.25 for this school year. Another boost to 1.5 is on the cards for next year. As long as the public backlash doesn’t sink it back down again. (The Review Online, 8/1/19)
- When I was a kid, perhaps if Tom Baker would have shown up to my school in costume as Doctor Who and urged me to come to school every day and not to be absent too often, I would probably have listened. So how can I be skeptical at all of the same thing in the modern day with owners of the Cleveland Browns—along with the state supe—substituting for my personal hero? Honestly, I’m asking. ‘Cause I need a way. (News5, Cleveland, 8/3/19)
- Trotwood-Madison superintendent Tyrone Olverson has abruptly departed the district just ahead of the new school year. (Dayton Daily News, 8/3/19)
- Here is a nice look at Heartland High School in Columbus, Ohio’s first recovery school for teens overcoming addiction or substance abuse. Heartland recently opened its doors for its first school year. The newness of the model and the difficulty of the work ahead will likely lead to some rough patches along the way. Here’s hoping that expectations for students are properly aligned and that the staff are well-trained for their difficult gigs. (Columbus Dispatch, 8/4/19)
- Earlier, Dispatch editors were opining on the desirability of tech jobs for today’s young people. Hopefully the good folks at Heartland High will agree with this. Much better option than licensed nursing, which is likely out of reach for most of Heartland’s students. (Columbus Dispatch, 8/1/19)
- Finally today, Gongwer assures us that the General Assembly will take up the topic of school and district report cards in the fall. Oh no! Without JEOC to help them, I fear disaster! (Gongwer Ohio, 8/1/19)
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