Course grades are no substitute for exam scores
Aaron ChurchillIn late March, state lawmakers gave local schools emergency authority to determine whether students in the class of 2020 satisfied graduation requirements.
Resetting school accountability, from the bottom up
Aaron Churchill , Chad L. AldisAfter a one-year pause in Ohio's school accountability system, the road back to normalcy is uncertain. Fordham's new policy brief titled Resetting school accountability, from the bottom up offers a clear and concise plan to restart state assessments and school report cards.
High school diplomas aren’t enough
Aaron ChurchillA couple years ago, a district superintendent gave an astonishing quote to his local newspaper stating his belief that the only relevant measure for school quality and the evaluation of school districts is the high school grad
Broadening CTE to include middle schools
Jessica PoinerHigh-quality career and technical education (CTE), which teaches students both the academic and technical skills needed for a variety of in-demand careers, is a promising pathway for millions of young people.
The final tally: Three-year outcomes for the ASAP community college student support program
Jeff MurrayThe Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP) began in the City University of New York (CUNY) system with the intent to comprehensively support students to persist and complete community college within three years.
Measuring student growth in early elementary grades
Aaron ChurchillOne of the tougher accountability nuts to crack is how to gauge educational quality in early elementary grades. Federal education law does not require state exams until third grade, and states choose not to administer end-of-year assessments in grades K–2.
Education during a pandemic: Lessons to be learned
Chad L. AldisIn the face of a public health crisis, Ohioans have risen to the occasion. While images of heroic deeds by health care workers and grocery store employees come immediately to mind, there’s no shortage of positive stories from the education community as well.
Ohio puts education accountability on pause
Chad L. AldisThese are unprecedented times. COVID-19 has greatly altered or paused much of what we do on a daily basis, including education. Governor DeWine has suspended in-person classes in K–12 schools statewide from March 17 until at least May 1. While most schools are attempting to offer some type of distance learning, it’s decidedly not business as usual.
Ohio Education By the Numbers—2020 Edition
Aaron ChurchillNow in its fourth edition and fully updated for 2020, Ohio Education by the Numbers Education is a look at vital statistics about Ohio’s schools and the students they serve. We intend it to be a readily accessible resource that keeps education stats—with cites to original sources—at your fingertips.
Expanding and improving work-based learning in community colleges
Jessica PoinerWork-based learning (WBL) refers to career preparation and training that occurs within a job setting, connects to classroom and academic experiences, and involves supervision and mentoring.
How will Ohio’s emergency waivers affect the classes of 2020 to 2023?
Aaron ChurchillOn March 25, Ohio lawmakers unanimously passed emergency legislation that covers an array of policies affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
State testing, report cards, and coronavirus
Aaron ChurchillUpdate (3/30/20): On March 27, Governor Mike DeWine signed legislation waiving state assessment requirements for the 2019-20 school year.
Ohio’s blind spot: Young people’s workforce outcomes
Aaron ChurchillOhio, like many other states, has made college and career readiness a major priority.
Ohio has a responsibility to raise red flags when schools are failing
Aaron ChurchillIt’s no secret that tough accountability measures are out-of-fashion in education circles these days.
What Ohio can learn from Delaware about workforce readiness
Jessica PoinerLast week, I wrote a piece about Pathways, a statewide program in Delaware that offers students the opportunity to complete a progra
Delaware’s Pathways program is a good example of how to get workforce development right
Jessica PoinerIn the last few years, a significant number of states have set attainment goals in an attempt to increase the number of adults with a postsecondary certificate, credential, or degree.
Improving Ohio’s measure of English language progress
Dr. Sara WatsonNOTE: The Thomas B. Fordham Institute occasionally publishes guest commentaries on its blogs. The views expressed by guest authors do not necessarily reflect those of Fordham.
Here’s what parents think about Ohio’s school report cards
Jessica PoinerFor the past several years, there has been a steady push by traditional education groups in Ohio to weaken state accountability and school report cards in particular.
TechCred: An overview of Ohio’s promising new credential reimbursement program
Jessica Poiner2019 was a busy legislative year in the Buckeye State.
The Longitudinal Effects of School Improvement Grants
Jessica PoinerThe American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 marked a massive federal investment in our schools, with more than $100 billion to shore up school systems in the face of the Great Recession. Along with that largesse came two grant programs meant to encourage reform with all of those resources: Race to the Top and School Improvement Grants (SIGs).
Ohio’s college remediation numbers need more and better context
Jeff MurrayAgainst the backdrop of Ohio’s Attainment Goal 2025, the state’s annual report on college remediation rates—the number of first year college students requiring remedial courses before beginning credit bearing work—has taken on a greater
Ohio’s untapped potential for postsecondary attainment
Jessica PoinerIt’s early January, which means ‘tis the season to contemplate the previous year and make resolutions for the next.
Rural Ohio schools that are beating the odds
Aaron ChurchillIn my annual review of Ohio report cards, I concentrate on the performance of public schools located in the state’s major cities, known as the “Big Eight.” The reason is twofold.