- Here are two “big picture” looks at Ohio report card data. The Ohio Department of Education calls the data good news/bad news. The good news is some pockets of improvement from last year’s super sucky data. The bad news is the fact that just 60.1 percent of students scored proficient or better on the third-grade English language arts exam. “Clearly it's not where we want to be as a state and highlights the need to focus on literacy.” (Gongwer Ohio, 9/23/22) That same data informs this look at literacy scores in central Ohio school districts. Everyone interviewed here seems pretty bothered by the low numbers registered in all but the bougiest of suburbs. How can I tell? Because only one of those low-performing suburban districts denounced report cards as “only a snapshot”. (Columbus Dispatch, 9/25/22)
- For a bit of contrast, here’s a look at the report card performance of charter schools in the Youngstown area. Kudos for the detailed reporting—which included interviews with as many charter school leaders as would respond to calls—as well as the forthright responses of the interview subjects. No deflection, no obfuscation, no “it’s just a snapshot”. Just the reality of the numbers and what those schools are doing to raise them where it is needed. Oh, and the fact that charters as a whole (and individually) generally outperformed Youngstown City Schools is casually remarked upon in passing. Just sayin’. (Vindy.com, 9/26/22)
- Maybe it’s the way the coverage is worded, but I have to say that this discussion of the parental angst around “flexible seating”, a new feature in Tallmadge Elementary School this year, does make the policy seem a little sus to me. Or perhaps it’s the fact that the principal doesn’t seem willing to give straight answers to direct questions like “is the building overcrowded?” and “are the kids deciding to sit on the floor or are they assigned there against their wishes?” Feels like we might hear more about this in the future. (Akron Beacon Journal, 9/26/22)
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