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Displaying 1-30 of 313 results
Looking back at 2021 blog image
Commentary
12.31.2021
Governance

K–12 education in Ohio: The top four stories from 2021

Aaron Churchill

As every year does, 2021 began with much optimism. Vaccines were rolling out, businesses were reopening, and the economy was on the mend. But then, as always, reality set in. While most Americans were vaccinated, the pandemic dragged on. The economy continued to pick up, but so did inflation. The year in K–12 education followed a similar pattern.

Looking back at 2021 blog image
Most read blogs of 2021 blog image
Commentary
12.30.2021
Governance

Most read blog posts of 2021

Ohio Education Gadfly

Fordham Ohio’s blogging output this year was varied and prodigious.

Most read blogs of 2021 blog image
Favorite kids books 2021 blog image
Commentary
12.29.2021
Curriculum & Instruction

My favorite children’s books of the past year

Aaron Churchill

Among the many things that I’ve come to better understand as a new parent is that children’s books are a literary genre of their own. Who knew there’d be board books, peek-a-flaps, and battery-powered books that make sounds? Some books have clever storylines and rhymes. Some have exquisite artwork. They literally come in all shapes and sizes.

Favorite kids books 2021 blog image
Gadfly Bites
Commentary
12.22.2021
Governance

Gadfly Bites 12/22/21—The high cost of consolidation

Jeff Murray

This is our last edition for the year. (No. Don’t cry.) We’ll be back on Tuesday, January 4, with a final look at 2021. Regular thrice weekly publication will resume starting Wednesday, January 5. (Then you’ll have reason to cry.)

Gadfly Bites
Gadfly Bites
Commentary
12.20.2021
Governance

Gadfly Bites 12/20/21—It’ll probably cost however much they’ve got

Jeff Murray

The administration and elected school board of Green Local Schools announced last week that federal Covid-relief money will be u

Gadfly Bites
Private schools are accountable blog image
Commentary
12.17.2021
Private School Choice

Are private schools “unaccountable”?

Aaron Churchill

In the debates over private school scholarship (a.k.a. voucher) programs, one of opponents’ favorite talking points is to say that nonpublic schools are “unaccountable” or “unregulated.” To get a flavor, consider the following statements made over the past couple years:

Private schools are accountable blog image
Ohio charter news logo
Commentary
12.17.2021
Charter Schools

Ohio Charter News Weekly – 12.17.21

Chad L. Aldis, Jeff Murray

This is the last edition of Ohio Charter News Weekly for the year. Thank you so much for reading and subscribing. We’ll be back on Thursday, January 6, with a wrap up of 2021 news you can use and resume regular Friday publication for the new year on January 7.

Ohio charter news logo
Gadfly Bites
Commentary
12.17.2021
Governance

Gadfly Bites 12/17/21—Problem solved

Jeff Murray

We have been talking a lot this week about the Youngstown CEO’s unappreciated past, unbalanced present, and unlikely future in the district.

Gadfly Bites
Gadfly Bites
Commentary
12.15.2021
Governance

Gadfly Bites 12/15/21—Not Justin time

Jeff Murray

A teacher unionization effort is underway at Menlo Park Academy, the only Ohio charter school specifically for gifted stu

Gadfly Bites
Gadfly Bites
Commentary
12.13.2021
Governance

Gadfly Bites 12/13/21—Crystal

Jeff Murray

It appears likely that current district CEO Justin Jennings will not be superintendent of Youngstown City Schools when the elected school

Gadfly Bites
Anti charter blog image
Commentary
12.10.2021
Charter Schools

Rebutting the union’s misleading comparisons of charter and district schools

Jessica Poiner

In early November, Scott DiMauro, the President of the Ohio Education Association, went on the attack against public charter schools.

Anti charter blog image
Ohio charter news logo
Commentary
12.10.2021
Charter Schools

Ohio Charter News Weekly – 12.10.21

Chad L. Aldis, Jeff Murray

Litigating the past using the past

Ohio charter news logo
Gadfly Bites
Commentary
12.10.2021
Governance

Gadfly Bites 12/10/21—Simple cleanup

Jeff Murray

Another quiet news cycle to end the week. The Ohio Senate this week passed SB 229.

Gadfly Bites
Gadfly Bites
Commentary
12.8.2021
Governance

Gadfly Bites 12/8/21—Fantastical

Jeff Murray

I am always amused when average citizens attempt to handwave serious problems away by saying that “They should do something”. Not to minimize those nuisances at all, but the response to them follows a predictable and perhaps less-than-helpful pattern.

Gadfly Bites
BBB childcare preschool blog image
Commentary
12.6.2021
School Finance

Build Back Better’s early childhood proposals will strain state budgets

Aaron Churchill

President Biden and the Democratic-controlled Congress are poised to continue the federal government’s spending spree, this time through a $2 trillion extravaganza named Build Back Better (BBB). Just before Thanksgiving, the House of Representatives narrowly passed its version of the measure, and the Senate is now mulling possible changes to the package.

BBB childcare preschool blog image
Gadfly Bites
Commentary
12.6.2021
Governance

Gadfly Bites 12/6/21—Oh, there will still be plenty of academic distress—don’t you worry

Jeff Murray

Text to follow--check back soon!

Gadfly Bites
Ohio charter news logo
Commentary
12.3.2021
Charter Schools

Ohio Charter News Weekly – 12.3.21

Chad L. Aldis, Jeff Murray

We are back from last week’s Thanksgiving break and covering news stories from 11/19/21 – 12/3/21. Supporting “our entire family of schools”

Ohio charter news logo
Gadfly Bites
Commentary
12.3.2021
Governance

Gadfly Bites 12/3/21—Cloudy with a chance of baloney

Jeff Murray

There are only two times when school report cards are deemed correct by school district officials: the first is when they show traditional district schools

Gadfly Bites
Gadfly Bites
Commentary
12.1.2021
Governance

Gadfly Bites 12/1/21—Janky

Jeff Murray

Where the heck are the education news stories these days? Only one to cover today, but at least it’s pretty interesting.

Gadfly Bites
Gadfly Bites
Commentary
11.29.2021
Governance

Gadfly Bites 11/29/21—Revenge of the nerds

Jeff Murray

We’re back from the Thanksgiving holiday break, laden with leftovers.

Gadfly Bites
Gadfly Bites
Commentary
11.24.2021
Governance

Gadfly Bites 11/24/21—Rekindling, blazing, and firing up

Jeff Murray

No Bites on Friday (to help you avoid indigestion). Back Monday after Thanksgiving. Let’s hope there are some clips worth snarking upon when we return.

Gadfly Bites
School boards what next blog image
Commentary
11.23.2021
Governance

Reform-minded school board members should push for choice, science of reading

Aaron Churchill

In the wake of the November elections, hundreds of new school board members will soon take their seats overseeing Ohio’s 600 plus districts.

School boards what next blog image
Gadfly Bites
Commentary
11.22.2021
Governance

Gadfly Bites 11/22/21—The opposite of appreciation

Jeff Murray

We’re back after a short break. Looks like we missed a couple of humdingers. Let’s get to it!

Gadfly Bites
2021 FSAR cover large
Report
11.22.2021
Charter Schools

2021 Fordham Sponsorship Annual Report

The 2020-21 Fordham Sponsorship Annual Report provides insight into our sponsorship work during the last school year, one of the most challenging imaginable for schools, students, and families.

2021 FSAR cover large
Ohio charter news logo
Commentary
11.19.2021
Charter Schools

Ohio Charter News Weekly – 11.19.21

Chad L. Aldis, Jeff Murray

Note: There will be no edition of the Charter News Weekly on Thanksgiving week. Two more charters for West Virginia

Ohio charter news logo
Gadfly Bites
Commentary
11.17.2021
Governance

Gadfly Bites 11/17/21—The phantom menace

Jeff Murray

Gadfly Bites will be taking a little break on Friday. (Stop cheering back there, you ingrates!) We’ll be back on Monday to catch up with whatever exhausting shenanigans have happened in the interim.

Gadfly Bites
Research on early literacy blog image
Commentary
11.15.2021
Accountability & Testing

Ohio’s third grade retention policy is backed by good research

Aaron Churchill

Passed almost a decade ago, the aptly named Third Grade Reading Guarantee aims to ensure that every Ohio student reads proficiently by the end of third grade. That goal makes perfect sense. All children need foundational reading skills to succeed in middle and high school and beyond.

Research on early literacy blog image
East CLE AIP blog image
Commentary
11.15.2021
Accountability & Testing

Signs of hope for students in East Cleveland

Jessica Poiner

The recently passed state budget created an off-ramp for districts under the control of an

East CLE AIP blog image
Dual enrollment in Rhode Island SR image
Commentary
11.15.2021
Curriculum & Instruction

A descriptive look at high school students earning college credit in Rhode Island

Jeff Murray

The term “dual enrollment” is often used to refer to young people earning college credits while simultaneously completing their high school coursework.

Dual enrollment in Rhode Island SR image
Gadfly Bites
Commentary
11.15.2021
Governance

Gadfly Bites 11/15/21—No, it’s SUPER great!

Jeff Murray

In case you missed it, the state board of education elected a new president and vice president this morning

Gadfly Bites

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