This is the final Ohio Charter News Weekly of 2018. We'll pick back up on January 5, 2019. Happy holidays!
Pathway to Success: Profile of Toledo School for the Arts
Fordham released the latest in its Pathway to Success series this week. It features Toledo School for the Arts, one of Ohio’s oldest charter schools that was forged from concerns about the state of arts education. This profile shows how one specialized charter school has been able to tap into students’ interests, focusing and inspiring them to cultivate their talents. You can find the profile here. If you’d like for Fordham to feature your school or a student’s story in an upcoming report, contact Madison Yoder.
Auditor recommends changes to e-school funding
Last week, the Ohio Auditor of State’s Office released a report that details flaws that it sees in how Ohio funds e-schools and offers solutions for how the state should move forward. Some recommendations include: Clarifying how e-schools will be evaluated under the current system; exploring best practices for e-school funding, including performance-based funding; considering whether the Education Department’s duties should be divided or restructured; and more.
Performance and progress awards for 2018
The Ohio Department of Education and State Board recently recognized the 2018 Schools of Promise and Honor and this year’s winners of the Overall A, All A and Momentum Awards. Quite a few charter schools were among those that received awards, including KIPP Columbus, Citizens Leadership Academy, and Summit Academy Community School-Parma. To view the lists of schools who received awards, go here.
Ohio among NAPCS “Greatest Hits” for charters in 2018
The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (NAPCS) has released an end-of-the-year summary highlighting the top state and legal issues for charters in 2018. Ohio was #2 on the list due to the passage of Senate Bill 216 (known as Ohio’s Education Deregulation Act), which was amended to address some of the issues that have plagued online charter schools in Ohio.
Charter school deserts map updated
Earlier this year, Fordham published a report that highlights the “charter school deserts” across the country, or high poverty areas that lack charter schools. The report was accompanied by an interactive website that enables users to look at every neighborhood in the country. In response to many requests, they have now updated the map to include private schools. You can explore the map here.
Upcoming events
Registration is currently open for the School Performance Institute’s next workshop (January 24, Columbus), the 2019 Ohio Educational Technology Conference (February 12-14, Columbus), and the 2019 National Charter Schools Conference (June 30-July 3, Las Vegas).
