Gadfly Bites 9/20/24—“I think school is really simple”

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1. Fordham’s Chad Aldis discusses state report cards in this piece, joining others in cautious optimism around reading achievement post-pandemic but also now raising alarm about troublesome math achievement data. (Cleveland.com, 9/19/24) Speaking of report cards, Dayton City Schools’ superintendent discusses his district’s results in this brief piece. Despite an overall poor showing (again), he expressed confidence that changes he has made since starting in the job will eventually show up as higher ratings. This includes the elimination of the two-teachers-in-one-classroom model, which bossman says “negatively impacted” their report card despite being implemented to do the opposite. But then again, dude also says “school is simple” and that school works best when it’s “fun”. So for now you can color me skeptical of his assessment. (Dayton 24/7 Now, 9/19/24)
   
   

2. All of my loyal Gadfly Bites subscribers (Happy Friday to all 9 of you!) will find this profile of Toledo Early College High School sounding very familiar. Accelerated high school courses, admission open to a wide geographic are, juniors and seniors taking college courses on a university campus, etc. Sounds like an independent STEM school, right? Of the type that your humble clips compiler has not been able to shut up about been lauding for more than ten years. But don’t be fooled, y’all. This is the oldest of old-school early college models in Ohio—not an independent entity, but a “program” run by Toledo City Schools with all the rules/regs/limitations that imposes. It’s better than nothing, don’t get me wrong. Probably a bright shining light for the district and extremely helpful for the students who choose it, but it could be more. I’m sure I can guess why Toledo Early College HS has not yet become an independent STEM school, but here’s hoping that they someday overcome the obstacles to break free and grow as big and as awesome as they possibly can. (Toledo Blade, 9/19/24)
   
   

3. Here is interesting coverage of a big-time Catholic education event held earlier this month in Columbus and including a papal nuncio direct from the Vatican among its more prosaic, homegrown panelists. This is probably more of a weekend read, so in-depth and erudite as it is, but it’s a good preamble for what comes next. (Columbus Catholic Times, 9/19/24) To wit: There is an undercurrent of negativity/skepticism in this piece which indicates that expanded vouchers and other private education support programs in states—including Ohio—are starting to result in more private schools opening their doors. (Umm… Yay!) The concern arises from the fact that these are largely going to be religiously-affiliated private schools. To which I say three things: a) Just wait; the non-religious schools are coming, b) Even if they don’t, religious schools have been the primary providers of private education in states like Ohio for many decades, and c) The deep calling among religious groups to improve education for students reverberates through this piece (kudos at least to the AP for making that shine through) and in the earlier Catholic education piece. I don’t see the problem, y’all. But do please alert me if it ever actually shows up. (AP, 9/20/24)

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