Can Ohio's Districts Embrace Choice through Portfolios of Schools?
What’s the new vocabulary word for the week in school districts? “Portfolio diversification.”
What’s the new vocabulary word for the week in school districts? “Portfolio diversification.”
National Association of Secondary School Principals2006
As the race for governor in Ohio heats up, so too has the interest in candidate Ken Blackwell's "65 Cent Solution," which would require every Ohio school district to spend at least 65 cents of each education dollar on "classroom instruction." The proposal clearly has political appeal.
Fifteen-year-old Gaurav Rajav will not be receiving an Xbox 360 video game console this month. That's because the high school student, who hoped to recite 10,790 digits of Pi, and whose parents promised him the Xbox if he met that goal, could muster only enough intellectual stamina to correctly recite 8,784 numbers.
Steven F. WilsonHarvard University Press2006
At the State Board of Education’s February 13-14 meeting, an Ohio Department of Education official testified that the board has no clear authority, under current state law or board rules, to evaluate, intervene in, or sanction the state’s original 59 community (a.k.a. charter) school sponsors.
I have introduced legislation in the Ohio House that will improve school choice for Ohio’s disabled students. House Bill 431 , if enacted, would expand the Autism Scholarship Program (ASP), which currently benefits 450 children in Ohio by providing scholarships worth up to $20,000 for educational services, either public or private, to include all disabled children.
Some, if not most, Ohio school districts believe that public charter schools are draining funds from their coffers, but it may be the other way around. Through a little-known process called “flagging,” districts can tie up indefinitely money owed to charters schools for educating the children who choose to be educated there.
The Fordham Institute has released new data on charter schools in Ohio, including their enrollment numbers, operating budgets and contact information. Summary information provides insights into where Ohio’s charters are located, the types of students they serve, the types of school operators in the state, and what types of organizations sponsor charter schools.
Last month, in a recommended reading entitled "No Voucher for You!" (December 22, 2005), the Gadfly was critical of Ohio's new voucher program (Ohio Educational Choice Scholarship Program, a.k.a., Ohio EdChoice).
There have been big changes in Ohio's education landscape over the past several years, and the flurry of activity won't be slowing in 2006. So, what's in the crystal ball for the upcoming year in education, and how will it affect you? Gadfly presents four education issues to keep an eye on this year.1. Increased accountability for charter schools and their sponsors