- Fordham is namechecked in this story about charter school sponsorship in Cleveland. But in a good way. The story relates the concerns that the Cleveland Transformation alliance harbors about another local sponsor – St. Aloysius – and specifically its very close relationship with contractor/service provider Charter School Specialists. Thisclose. (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 9/1/17)
- Speaking of concerns, Springfield City Schools seems very very concerned over what it says are mistakes made by a contractor – well, fraud actually – which allegedly caused the district to forgo nearly $1 million in Medicaid reimbursement for services provided to students due to paperwork fail. Legal action is underway. (Springfield News-Sun, 9/1/17)
- As we settle into the new school year, let’s check out what’s new in school buildings across the state. First up: spleems. You read that right. This week the state supe and a state board of education member visited Beavercreek City Schools to learn about PAX, one of several games included in the new Positive Behavior Intervention Support effort in the district. Although it may not sound like it, a “spleem” is something to be avoided, while “Granny’s Wacky Prize bag” is something you actually want. Oh, you’ll just have to read it yourself. (Dayton Daily News, 9/1/17) Meanwhile, the gym at St. John XXIII Catholic School in Middletown is no longer hot as hell, thanks to a new A/C unit that is heaven sent. (Middletown Journal-News, 9/1/17) But seriously, folks… New at the middle school level in North Ridgeville is the elimination of A-F grading, replaced by a standards-based rubric (meets, approaches, etc.), which has been in place at the elementary level for nearly a decade. Sounds great. Interesting to note, however, that there are no plans to roll this out at the high school level, mainly for fear of upsetting the vaunted GPA paradigm. Which is weird considering that all the weaknesses of A-F grading (upon which GPA is currently based) as enumerated in this article are still true. (Elyria Chronicle, 9/1/17)
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