Charter advocates testify in support of House Bill 166
The House Finance Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education heard public testimony all week regarding Ohio’s state budget. Many charter leaders and advocates testified in support of the additional $30 million for quality charter schools included in the governor’s budget. Some also mentioned the proposal to fund charter schools directly, found in “Ohio’s Fair School Funding Plan,” which has been proposed by Representatives Cupp and Patterson. While many advocates support direct funding, they do not believe it should be done via a line item appropriation. You can find testimony here and video coverage of the committee here.
Columbus Dispatch reports and opines on e-schools
Early this week, the Columbus Dispatch reported that in the 2017-18 school year, the Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow (ECOT) couldn’t document adequate attendance for any of its students. In light of that news, the Dispatch published an editorial discussing the options the state has for holding online schools more accountable, suggesting that e-school funding be based on academic performance and that online teachers keep better documentation of their students’ progress and intervene directly when students are underperforming.
USDOE announces winners of CSP grant competition
Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Education released the names of the Charter Management Organizations who will receive Charter School Program (CSP) grants. Fifteen CMOs, including the KIPP Foundation, will receive grants to help them replicate and expand their high-quality charter schools. You can view more information about the winners of the Replication and Expansion of High-Quality Charter Schools competition here and the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools’ statement here.
Charter school success story
Brooke Young, a Mansfield student who will be graduating from Ohio Connections Academy (OCA) this year with nearly two years of college under her belt, recently talked with the Richland Source about her educational experience. Young explains that attending online charter schools over the years has allowed her to advance her dreams of working in theatre and, at the same time, has given her the flexibility she needs to earn college credit while in high school.
Legislative update
This week, the House Education committee heard proponent and opponent testimony on bills related to Academic Distress Commissions (ADCs). One bill would prohibit new ADCs from forming while the other would dissolve and replace ADCs. Testimony from the hearing can be found here. The Senate Education committee also heard testimony on legislation that would alter the state’s current ADC framework. You can find more on that bill here and testimony from the hearing here.
