Don't miss this week's Ohio Gadfly for a timely look at what local school districts are doing to save money. In the wake of failed levies, many districts have been trimming costs for years. But now that Ohio faces a monumental budget deficit of some $8 billion (estimated), this mentality must become imbedded in school district culture. Cutting busing, freezing teacher pay, and sharing administrative services all are common strategies?but real savings lies in reducing labor costs.
Gadfly also brings you an original analysis of Ohio's second-round Race to the Top application. Which students will be affected by funds if the state wins? The analysis takes a four-part look at district and charter schools' academic performance and examines whether the neediest kids (those attending the worst-performing schools) will end up getting funded? Also check out the PDF version of the findings. Also check out the PDF version of the findings.
Cleveland ? as you may well know ? is seeking to implement a district transformation plan that sounds remarkably similar to the Charm City's 2008 vision. But before we start hoping for Baltimore-like increases in test scores, Cleveland schools' CEO Eugene Sanders should consider four policies to help fuel the district's transformation.
On tap for reviews: how can school choice (online learning, vouchers, and special education scholarship) help close the achievement gap between Latino students and white peers (from The Lexington Institute)? And what can states do to reform costly and burdensome teacher dismissal policies (report by Center for American Progress)?
Gadfly also leaves you with two excellent resources related to Common Core national standards (which Ohio recently voted to adopt), a smattering of examples of reform-minded union leaders across the nation, an inspiring tale from New Orleans, and as many World Cup references as will fit.
-The Fordham Ohio Team