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)
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.
Gadfly Bites 2/12/18 - Robo-clips: a play with music in two acts
Jeff MurrayACT I – Robots rising?
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.
Education policy questions that every gubernatorial candidate should answer
Jamie Davies O'LearyCampaign season in Ohio is in full swing.
Gadfly Bites 2/7/18 - Circle one
Jeff MurrayI think this story is probably just as cute and benign as it comes across, but just for kicks I’m going to try to be needlessly provocative in clipping it.
Does Ohio need a revolution in school funding?
Aaron ChurchillOhio Representative Andrew Brenner has introduced legislation described on the General Assembly’s website as an effort to “revise school funding.” If there were an award for understatement of the year, that might win the prize.
Gadfly Bites 2/5/18 - "Answer Hazy, Ask Again Later"
Jeff MurrayNortheast Ohio’s own version of the Loch Ness Monster has reared his head again, and it looks like he might want to stick around a while this time. Denessie Kucinich says he’s running for governor, you see, using lots of the same rhetoric and ideas that he’s floated before.
Gadfly Bites 2/2/18 - Avoiding certain stories leaves very few stories
Jeff MurrayNot much to report on today that isn’t shameless politicking or overt criminality. So what does that leave us with? John Kasich, that’s what. Mr.
Gadfly Bites 1/31/18 - Basking in the pure glow of pragmatism
Jeff MurrayEditors in Toledo this week offered their opinion on the closure of ECOT. It’s generally what you’d expect, but it curiously includes something of a warning that might seem a little odd at first blush, but will not be that big of a surprise for all of my loyal Gadfly Bites subscribers.
Gadfly Bites 1/29/18 - Why we work, and why we must work harder
Jeff MurrayIt’s always interesting when education stories are covered in unconventional outlets.
Gadfly Bites 1/24/18 - Big old "duh"
Jeff MurrayColumbus City Schools is, apparently, facing a budget shortfall within two years, and the initial discussions about solving it involve closing it down immediately so it can repay lost revenue to the state of Ohio the elimination of up to 163 positions.
Gadfly Bites 1/22/18 - The saddest surprise party
Jeff MurrayWith ECOT closed, a special master appointed by the court to help oversee things like records transfer and asset management, and families working to find new schools that are at least the second-best fit for their kids, it seems there is little else for education reporters
Superintendent DeMaria joined Chiefs for Change: Here’s what it could mean for Ohio
Jessica PoinerEarlier this week, Chiefs for Change (CFC) announced that Ohio’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, Paolo DeMaria, joined their network.
Gadfly Bites 1/19/18 - Why shouldn't we give up on our education? You just did.
Jeff MurrayThe 2018 Quality Counts ratings are out and very little has changed for Ohio from the previous year. Doesn’t stop folks from trying to spin those results into a vision of speculative doom. Our own Chad Aldis is quoted in this piece as the voice of anti-spin.
Gadfly Bites 1/17/18 - Enhancements
Jeff MurrayChanges are coming to the popular College Credit Plus program as early as this summer, courtesy of the Chancellor of Higher Education (at the request of the General Assembly).
A birds-eye view of school funding policy in the U.S.
Aaron ChurchillCreating school funding policy is a delicate juggling act for state leaders. Contentious issues include deciding the responsibilities of local and state governments; determining efficient and fair ways to allocate funds; and ensuring economically friendly tax policies while raising sufficient revenue.
Gadfly Bites 1/12/18 - "Fighting" is the operative word
Jeff MurrayWe should probably start with the big ECOT news, I guess. Did you see that ECOT’s request to become a dropout recovery school was rejected by the Ohio Department of Education yesterday? No? How on earth did you miss that? Wonder what else was screaming off the headlines that took your attention?