Busing woes large, growing
Student transportation troubles have continued in two of Ohio’s largest cities as the school year has worn on. The list of problems in both districts is long, as enumerated in news coverage, but the list of possible fixes is small and difficult to enact. In Dayton, a group of charter schools have banded together to raise a complaint with the Ohio Department of Education and to ask for help. In Columbus, no group of students—charter, district, STEM, private—is untouched by the difficulties and parents are increasingly vocal in their complaints. Technology is noted as both a problem and a potential solution. In all cases, only time will tell how it all works out.
Going the virtual route
It is perhaps not surprising, given the foregoing pieces, to learn that the all-virtual Ohio Digital Learning School is continuing to experience double digit growth in enrollment, a trend which began with the education disruptions of the pandemic and shows no sign of stopping yet.
Tiny ray of sunshine
However, Columbus’ Zenith Academy is one of the few charter networks handling its own student transportation. And it does so using one of the first electric school buses on the road in the state of Ohio. Fascinating.
The view from Michigan
The Detroit News gave a nice overview of six new charter schools which opened their doors across the state for the first time this year, highlighting their different approaches to education and talking with parents as to why they chose individual schools.
The future
Southeast Ohio Classical Academy is a charter school proposed to open in Athens next school year. The Athens Messenger has a detailed look at what the school will offer to area families and the various hoops and hurdles that school leaders must overcome to get the doors open next fall.
More learning time
The editorial board of the New York Daily News touts Success Academy charter schools in a recent opinion piece. Specifically, the board notes the network’s longer school day and school year as a model for other schools to emulate if they are serious about providing more learning time for students.
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