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Ohio could save millions, even billions, by rethinking student-teacher ratios

During the current fiscal crisis facing Ohio (and many other states) we've heard our share of cost-savings ideas for K-12 education.

Redefining its constituency?

Washington Post columnist Ruth Marcus has some choice words for the civil rights crowd: “I know Kanye West said the George W.

There they go again

You know it’s an election year when the Democratic Speaker of the House recalls her comrades from summer break to Washington for an emergency vote to bail out the nation’s schools.

Hundreds of Ohio students on EdChoice Scholarship (voucher) waitlist

Since its creation in 2005, Ohio's EdChoice Scholarship Program ? which grants $4,250 or $5,000 to students attending the state's worst schools to attend the private school of their choice ?

Just how top-heavy are some of Ohio's school districts?

Earlier this year the Brookings Institution and the Greater Ohio Policy Center garnered attention from both gubernatorial

Special Ohio Gadfly: Summer reading edition

For many of you, July means vacation time. There's nothing better to do during those long flights, layovers, hours in the sand, or just ?stay-cations? in the backyard hammock than catch up on reading.

The proficiency illusion, Empire State edition

Almost three years ago, Fordham and the Northwest Evaluation Association published a landmark study, The Proficiency Illusion, which found that state “proficiency cut scores” varied tremendously, not just from state to state but also within states.

Curing Baumol's Disease: In Search of Productivity Gains in K-12 Schooling

Paul Hill and Marguerite RozaCenter on Reinventing Public EducationJuly 2010

Did you know? Fiscal impact of raising student-teacher ratios in Ohio

Teacher layoffs are a hot topic nowadays, as are the dire warnings about what will happen if teachers are let go.??

Common Core standards best most states' standards, including Ohio's

Last month, Ohio became one of the first states to adopt the Common Core State Standards in math and English language arts (ELA).  According to a new report from the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, that was a smart move.

Ohio stands to gain more from RttT than Edujobs bill

There has been much speculation about Obey's obviously divisive (and

Ohio's Education Reform Challenges: Lessons from the Frontlines

The Thomas B. Fordham Institute has deep roots in Dayton, Ohio and has long been immersed in Ohio education policy, particularly as it?relates to charter schools. Debates around charter schools ? their role, their efficacy, even their right to exist ? are hot and contentious in the Buckeye State, perhaps as much so as anywhere else in the nation.

Lessons from Ohio's frontlines

In Fordham’s customary role as a bumptious ed-reform think tank and advocacy shop, it’s unusual to engage in the real work of transforming schools and educating children. But our home state of Ohio has blessed us with many opportunities to get down and dirty in real-world education-reform struggles affecting real kids in a real place.

Ohio Gadfly: virtual schools in Georgia, pensions, and World Cup

Don't miss this week's Ohio Education Gadfly, which opens with a look at the Peach State's recent decision to open its doors to two new high-qua

Ohio schools winning School Improvement Grants select easiest model

Ohio recently announced the 42 schools who won School Improvement Grants (SIGs) to fund efforts to turn themselves around. Three are charters and the rest are district schools in 11 districts; their awards total $95 million.

Ohio Education Gadfly looks at cost-savings, Race to the Top, Cleveland, and common standards

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.

If Ohio wins Race to the Top, what type of students will funds reach?

Should Ohio win the $400 million it is seeking in Race to the Top, it’s important to know who will be affected. Specifically, what type of student will the much-talked-about funding touch?

Charters in Ohio hope for equal-opportunity hospitality

Districts across Ohio are facing times of uncertainty and turmoil when it comes to their budgets, and Columbus City Schools are no exception.? Recently, the district has been faced with a firestorm of questions and criticism for leasing a vacant school building to private school Sonshine Christian Academy.?

Did you know: Part 4 ? If Ohio wins RttT, who will funds reach?

Here's our fourth take on where dollars will flow should Ohio win Race to the Top. We categorize students according to their schools' graduation rates, thus illuminating especially what type of?high school students will be impacted by funds.

Did you know: Part 3 ? If Ohio wins RttT, who will funds reach?

Today we continue our analysis of which Ohio students will be affected by Race to the Top funds should the state win. This time, we are examining the data from yet another angle of performance ? Adequate Yearly Progress, or AYP.

Did you Know: Part 2 ? If Ohio wins RttT, who will funds reach?

Yesterday we examined who will be affected by Race to the Top funds should Ohio win; specifically, what are the academic ratings of RttT-funded schools?

Did you know: If Ohio wins RttT, who will funds reach?

With MOUs signed, applications submitted, and the words ?buy-in? not falling as freely from reporters mouths, Race to the Top has felt a bit dormant lately. Finalists will be announced in late July and final awards handed to winning states by September.

Ohio Gadfly: Ed debate in Ohio picking up steam

With Ohio facing worsening budget problems and headed into election season, it's worth reflecting on what's happened since last summer's controversial budget battle, which installed a new school funding system (via HB 1), attempted to incapacitate charter schools, and put ?21st c

Education debate in Ohio is picking up steam

What a difference a year makes. This time last year Ohio was in the midst of a heated battle to approve the state's FY2010-2011 budget. House Bill 1 passed in mid-July but its trek through the legislative process was marked more by sniping and political horse-trading than thoughtful policy debate.

Changes to Ohio's academic rating system about to become law

Last fall, Terry wrote a piece for the Dayton Daily News highlighting a bizarre consequence of Ohio's academic rating system, namely that otherwise high performing districts failing to make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) with

Busy day on the Ohio ed reform front

It's certainly a busy day for Fordham's Ohio team. Check out today's The Sound of Ideas from Cleveland's NPR affiliate WCPN.?

Needle in a haystack: Citizens' Academy

The Cartel: edu-documentary with an important message for Ohio

Columbus was the latest city to host the award-winning documentary The Cartel, a film exposing the corruption within New Jersey’s K-12 education establishment.

Ohio ranks high in number of teachers with master's degrees

Ohio’s growing teacher corps has driven up the cost of education, especially as teachers’ salaries and pensions are by far the largest expenditure in K-12 education.

Needle in a Haystack: Duxberry Park