- An interesting discussion of Ohio’s teacher evaluation system includes comments from Innovation Ohio’s Steve Dyer ("It's a very subjective thing, teaching."), Fordham’s Aaron Churchill ("It's a move toward results-oriented, performance-based education, and that's a huge step forward.”), and the late Albert Einstein (“Not everything that can be counted counts. Not everything that counts can be counted."). I’m with Aaron. (WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, 9/24/15)
- Loyal readers know that I love me some Yost (I know!). But I do hope that the Auditor of State never decides to buy me a present, because he’s got a different definition of “surprise” than I do. Case in point: the big announcement of impending “surprise” visits to both charter and district schools for a new round of attendance spot-checks, among other things. This is important stuff for the auditor to stay on top of – attendance is, sadly, an inexact science most everywhere – but secret visits should be secret. Shouldn’t they? Just sayin’. (Columbus Dispatch, 9/25/15)
- As you no doubt recall, the first batch of charter sponsor ratings were rescinded earlier this year over the exclusion of some low grades for Ohio’s e-schools from a portion of the ratings process. A new advisory panel is overseeing a second attempt at charter sponsor ratings, a process which is currently ramping up. At least one of Ohio’s e-schools has got some firm opinions on how those low grades should factor in this time around. (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 9/23/15) At least one national charter school advocacy group has got an equally-firm response to those opinions. (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 9/25/15)
- The next state report cards may be some months away yet, and there may be safe harbor in place to keep districts from feeling any repercussions from expected lower performance on the state assessments students took last year. But there will be Performance Index scores issued for every district, and suburban supes in central Ohio are sounding a warning that those PI scores will take a pretty big hit based on the number of students who opted out of state tests last year. (ThisWeek News/Reynoldsburg News, 9/23/15)
- Governor Kasich yesterday appointed former Ashland University provost Frank E. Pettigrew to fill the open seat on the state board of education. Welcome aboard, sir. (Columbus Dispatch, 9/24/15)
