- More analysis of state report cards over the weekend, from the usual sources. The Dispatch took a look at the fairly universally low eighth grade reading results. (Columbus Dispatch, 9/25/16) The PD’s Patrick O’Donnell took a look at the “Urban 8” district performance vs. state averages. (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 9/25/16) Meanwhile, the PD’s Rich Exner tried to see how closely passage rates mirrored household poverty levels in Northeast Ohio. (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 9/26/16) Finally, in the run up to a levy vote, Patrick tried to answer the question “Did CMSD schools improve as promised?” (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 9/25/16)
- Speaking of report card results, Lorain City Schools – already under the aegis of an old-style Academic Distress Commission – did not do well enough to avoid transition to the new-style ADC. That means a new panel of commission members, a CEO, less power for the board and supe, a new strategic plan, and a new ticking clock. All of this should start to take shape in October. (Northern Ohio Morning Journal, 9/25/15)
- In other news, last week’s rejection of a tentative contract by CMSD teachers sets negotiations back by several steps. So far, talk of a possible strike is muted. (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 9/24/16)
- Here is an update on the enormous financial mess being unraveled – largely by a handful of small-town Ohio reporters – from the META Solutions tangle. The South Central Ohio Computer Association (SCOCA) group apparently owed its member districts more than a million dollars in federal reimbursements for technology services when the merger with META ran off the rails and ended in state and federal investigations which are still ongoing. A mess with a big price tag, it seems. (Marion Star, 9/23/16)
