Gadfly Bites 3/14/18 - Curious choices
Jeff MurrayCOMPILER'S NOTE: Gadfly Bites is taking a break until Monday. See you next week.
Gadfly Bites 3/12/18 - Distress
Jeff MurrayEditors in Youngstown opined this weekend on the seeming chaos wrought by the resignations of 3/5 of the Academic Distress Commission in the last week.
Addressing language acquisition issues for bilingual children
Jeff MurrayDespite genetic hardwiring of babies’ brains to learn language, emerging evidence suggests that different languages are acquired in different ways based on their specific characteristics. Most of what child development and education professionals know about language acquisition in young children is based on monolingual studies and is difficult to apply to bilingual children.
Ohio’s capital budget pays for stadiums and barns, but not charter schools
Aaron ChurchillOhio legislators recently unveiled a $2.6 billion capital budget bill for fiscal years 2019 and 2020. Inside this year’s iteration are routine items like park and correctional facilities maintenance.
Gadfly Bites 3/9/18 - As you may recall...
Jeff MurrayIn case you missed it, the House Bill that proposes to consolidate state oversight of pre-K, K-12, and workforce development into one agency had a hearing earlier this week. Fordham’s own Chad Aldis was on hand to provide testimony in support of the bill.
Gadfly Bites 3/5/18 - The “full range” indeed
Jeff MurrayA new statewide online school is launching in Ohio next school year. Great news for families looking for a choice. (Columbus Dispatch, 3/2/18)
Gadfly Bites 3/2/18 - Repent!
Jeff MurrayAnd then there was one. The current superintendent of Akron City Schools let it be known earlier this week that he was removing himself from consideration to become the next superintendent of Columbus City Schools. But thanks for the consideration.
Moving Ohio towards a more coherent K–16 governance model
Aaron ChurchillTwo weeks ago, several lawmakers introduced legislation that proposes a major restructuring of education governance in Ohio.
Gadfly Bites 2/28/18 - “Our job is not to be generic.”
Jeff MurrayEditors in Toledo opined in favor of the proposed change in state-level education governance in Ohio. In principle, at least.
Gadfly Bites 2/26/18 - Small town issues
Jeff MurrayIt may or may not surprise you to know that not many school districts in Ohio have a diversity plan when it comes to hiring. Small town Mansfield is not one of those districts.
Gadfly Bites 2/23/18 - "Truly a perfect pairing."
Jeff MurrayEditors in Columbus this week opined – using Fordham as a prominent piece of evidence – in favor of strong and substantive graduation requirements. (Columbus Dispatch, 2/22/18)
Why Ohio should toss out teacher evaluation mandates
Aaron ChurchillOver the past year, Ohio lawmakers have been mulling revisions to the state’s teacher evaluation policies.
Wonkathon 2018: In light of diploma scandals in D.C., Maryland, and elsewhere, do our graduation requirements need to change?
The Education GadflyVOTE NOW FOR 2018'S WISEST WONK!
Ohio’s proposed education governance overhaul: From the perspective of a former state education board candidate
Jamie Davies O'LearyThe Ohio House of Representatives just proposed to restructure oversight of K–12 public education by shifting much of the state Board of Education’s power to the governor through a newly formed cabinet-level position.
Gadfly Bites 2/21/18 - That definition of "right sizing" sounds like a recipe for fiscal ruin
Jeff MurrayIn the news from Lorain, it appears to be two steps forward as five new administrative positions are filled… (Northern Ohio Morning Journal, 2/19/18) …and
College Credit Plus gets another makeover
Jessica PoinerIn the waning days of January, the Ohio Department of Higher Education gained approval from the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review for two new regulations regarding College Cr
Gadfly Bites 2/19/18 - "The teachers are the ones who drive this process... It starts with the way they look at these kids"
Jeff MurrayI hear tell that February is “Career and Technical Education Month” among folks who pay attention to these things.
Gadfly Bites 2/16/18 - "A lot of kids have found success in your school where they didn’t find it in ours."
Jeff MurrayAs reported in Bites on Wednesday, a proposal has been put forward in the General Assembly that would make some important changes to the state-level governance structure of K-12 education, higher ed, and workforce development.
Gadfly Bites 2/14/18 - It’s hard to have school when the weather is sunny and bright and the lake has fish
Jeff MurrayThe State Board of Education met this week and, among other things, members got an update on the graduation readiness of the Class of 2018.
Fordham Institute media statement on proposed education governance changes
Ohio Education GadflyToday, Representative Bill Reineke (R-Tiffin) announced that he’ll be introducing legislation to significantly change the way Ohio governs public schools. The proposal calls for the creation of the Ohio Department of Learning and Achievement, which will focus on aligning Ohio’s education system to better prepare the workforce of tomorrow.
Guest commentary: Lawmakers should reject state board call for retreat on graduation requirements
By Jack Archer
Gadfly Bites 2/12/18 - Robo-clips: a play with music in two acts
Jeff MurrayACT I – Robots rising?
Efforts to improve teacher observations in New Mexico
Jeff MurrayAs teacher evaluation systems evolve around the nation—decreasing the importance of student growth scores in favor of more reliance on classroom observations—how best to support principals in observing and giving feedback on teacher performance will gain importance.
Gadfly Bites 2/8/18 - "I hope there is a way that you can trust me."
Jeff MurrayIt has been said (mostly by me, probably) that there are only three seasons in Ohio – budget season, campaign season, and summer vacation. I invite all five of my loyal Gadfly Bites subscribers (yes, it’s been a successful couple of months) to guess which one we’re in right now.