The Ohio Senate does report card reform right
Aaron ChurchillAnnual school report cards play an important role in healthy, accountable K–12 education systems.
Will federal megabucks impact state education policy?
Aaron ChurchillIn early March, President Biden and the Democrat-controlled Congress kept the fiscal faucets open by passing the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan (ARP). For Ohio, this means that more financial help is on its way.
Student wellness funding gets an upgrade in the proposed state budget
Jessica PoinerTwo years ago, during his first budget cycle in office, Governor DeWine shepherded through the legislature a first-of-its kind initiative known as the Student Wellness and Success Fund (SWSF).
Ohio Charter News Weekly – 3.26.21
Chad L. Aldis, Jeff MurrayToledo transportation changes move forward
Cupp-Patterson funding plan falls short on open enrollment and guarantees
Aaron ChurchillOver the past two years, the Cupp-Patterson school funding plan has received tremendous attention in the media and at the statehouse. Currently, House lawmakers are considering what changes might be made to the plan, as laid out in House Bill 1.
House report card bill deserves an F
Aaron ChurchillFor more than two decades, report cards have offered Ohioans an annual check on the quality of public schools. They have strived to ensure that schools maintain high expectations for all students, to provide parents with a clear signal when standards are not being met, and to identify high-performing schools whose practices are worth emulating.
Testimony presented before the Senate Primary and Secondary Education Committee on HB 67
Chad L. AldisNOTE: On March 16, 2021, the Ohio Senate’s Primary and Secondary Education Committee heard testimony on HB 67, a bill which would, among other provisions, make changes to the state’s graduation requirements in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Reducing cheating on online exams
Jeff MurrayConcerns over the increased potential for cheating are front and center in debates
Testimony given before the House Finance Committee on HB 110
Chad L. AldisNOTE: On Thursday, March 11, 2021, members of the House Finance Committee heard testimony on House Bill 110, legislation creating state’s next biennial budget. Chad L.
Using course grades for graduation doesn’t advance equity or excellence
Aaron ChurchillLast week, the Ohio House passed legislation (HB 67) that addressed graduation requirements and a few other issues in K–12 education.
Will the Cupp-Patterson “base cost” model lead to runaway spending?
Aaron ChurchillAs it has for much of the past two years, the Ohio House is currently discussing the latest version of the
Budget bill tackles transportation for choice students
Jessica PoinerThe relationship between traditional public schools and schools of choice—both charter and private—is often strained in Ohio. One of the most consistent sources of tension is transportation.
Four ways to make charter schools a priority in the state budget
Aaron ChurchillIt’s state budget time in Ohio, and as experts like to remind us, budgets reflect priorities. In the area of K–12 education, legislators should maintain a focus on empowering parents to take more control of their kids’ education and improving the educational outcomes of less advantaged students.
Testimony presented to the House Finance Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education on HB 1
Chad L. AldisNOTE: On Monday, March 1, 2021, members of the House Finance Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education heard testimony on House Bill 1, which would create a new school funding system for Ohio. Chad L.
Budget proposal unwisely lowers the graduation bar in science and social studies
Jessica PoinerLast week, the Ohio House unveiled House Bill 110, the legislative vehicle for Governor DeWine’s budget proposal.
Ohio Charter News Weekly – 2.26.21
Chad L. Aldis, Jeff MurrayState testing to happen on schedule
Testimony presented before the House Primary and Secondary Education Committee on HB 67
Chad L. AldisNOTE: On Tuesday, February 23, 2021, members of the House Primary and Secondary Education Committee heard testimony on House Bill 67 which would seek to waive testing in Ohio’s schools for the 2020–21 school year.
State lawmakers take another crack at cancelling state tests
Jessica PoinerLast spring, Governor DeWine signed legislation that eliminated state tests and paused school accountability sanctions for the 2019–20 school year. Efforts by the education establishment to extend these changes through the 2020–21 school year began almost immediately.
A reply to the anti-testers
Aaron ChurchillUnder pressure from the school establishment and teachers unions, Ohio lawmakers recently filed bills that seek to cancel state assessments this spring.
Ohio Charter News Weekly – 2.12.21
Chad L. Aldis, Jeff MurrayThe opportunity for a better life
Ohio’s fall tests reveal how the pandemic has affected student learning
Vladimir Kogan, Stéphane LavertuNOTE: 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.
Kiss, marry, kill: Education policy edition
Jessica PoinerBudget season in Ohio is always fraught, but factor in the pandemic and accompanying economic downturn and we can be sure that the next few months will be even more heated than usual. Ohioans should expect plenty of education-related proposals in the mix.
DeWine budget strengthens key K–12 education initiatives
Aaron ChurchillEarlier this week, Governor Mike DeWine unveiled his state budget for fiscal years 2022 and 2023.