- There is confusion and concern in Lorain City Schools at the moment, the only other district currently under the aegis of an old-style Academic Distress Commission. The confusion is whether their unique ADC status will lead to Lorain being exempted from new “safe harbor” provisions based on PARCC test scores. The concern is one of possible unfairness: it could turn out that Lorain is the only district in the state to which PARCC “safe harbor” does not apply. It’s complicated and even the Ohio Department of Education boffins quoted in this piece are unsure. Could be moot if the lawsuit from Youngstown succeeds, but fascinating to see the nuances of district turnaround in action. Or perhaps inaction could be more accurate. (Northern Ohio Morning Journal, 9/25/15)
- Former Toledo school teacher, current ranking Democrat on the House Education Committee, and longtime charter school critic Teresa Fedor opined in a guest commentary this weekend in favor of a far-reaching investigation of the Ohio Department of Education in regard to the rescinded sponsor evaluations done earlier this year. (Toledo Blade, 9/27/15) Perhaps not coincidentally at all, editors in Toledo opined – as if on repeat – in favor of charter law reform in Ohio now. NOTE: the “now” is at last actually now as state legislators including Rep. Fedor are back to work this week after their summer break. (Toledo Blade, 9/27/15)
- Rather than just referencing the email infodump from ODE in regard to sponsor evaluations, the PD is digging deep. Journalist Patrick “Indiana Jones” O’Donnell has already written more on the information contained in the email communications than anyone else and today he starts a new series looking even more deeply into the online charter schools’ ratings. First up, value added calculations for the most mobile students. Said calculations changed in 2014 and the e-schools saw their VA grades plummet. It seems that the fallout from that change was still ongoing when the new sponsor evaluation process began earlier this year. (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 9/28/15)
- Interesting journalism/editorial hybrid from Akron this weekend. The topic is the rising number of community meetings and events being held in school buildings around the city. Not sure what the issue is that needs airing here – sounds like the district/city connection is working pretty well and everyone’s happy about it. Oh wait, this is Akron; someone must be bothered. (Akron Beacon Journal, 9/27/15)
