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.
Districts should use student wellness funds to track down and support Covid’s missing students
Jessica PoinerIt’s no secret that the pandemic has been extraordinarily difficult on education. Reopening decisions, complex in-person safety protocols, virtual school, and the specter of learning loss have made the past year tough.
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.
Has Ohio public school enrollment declined amid the pandemic?
Aaron ChurchillA slew of news
A deep dive into Ohio’s fund for high-quality charter schools
Aaron ChurchillTwo years ago, Governor DeWine and the General Assembly enacted a bold initiative that boosts funding for quality public charter schools.
Changing the currency of the job market: Moving up through skills rather than degrees
Jeff MurrayIn March 2020, a group of researchers and economists led by Peter Q. Blair of Harvard University published a working paper exploring the idea that on-the-job skills acquisition could be just as valuable as a bachelor’s degree, or more, in helping workers move up the career ladder to higher-wage work.
Three things leaders need to get right before next school year
Jessica PoinerIt might seem far away, but the 2021–22 school year is just around the corner. In a few short months, students will be gearing up for summer break—and using that time wisely has never been more important. This fall will be similarly significant.
Ohio Charter News Weekly – 1.15.21
Chad L. Aldis, Jeff MurrayCharters and the incoming presidential administration
Open Enrollment and Student Diversity in Ohio’s Schools
Deven CarlsonApproximately 85,000 Ohio students use interdistrict open enrollment to attend a neighboring school district.
Ohio wisely presses pause on school accountability, and other recent policy developments
Jessica PoinerMost Ohioans likely didn’t notice the passage of House Bill 409 a few days prior to Christmas. That’s understandable, given the ongoing pandemic and the hustle and bustle of the holidays.
Ohio Charter News Weekly – 1.8.21
Chad L. Aldis, Jeff MurrayVaccination for school personnel
Ohio Charter News Weekly – 1.7.21
Chad L. Aldis, Jeff MurrayNOTE: We’re back from the holiday break. Today’s special edition covers news from 12/19 – 12/31/20. This first regular edition of 2021 will be published tomorrow and will catch up on news from 1/1 – 1/8/21.
Ohio Charter News Weekly – 12.18.20
Chad L. Aldis, Jeff MurrayNOTE: This is the last edition to be published this year. We’ll return with a final look at 2020 stories on Thursday, January 7, 2021; regular service for 2021 resumes on Friday, January 8.
An important study on teacher value-added, marred by dubious conclusions
Jeff MurrayA new report from Portland State University sociologist Dara Shifrer digs into the value-added data of thousands of teachers who switched schools and concludes that value-added measures reflect the socio-economic status of students and thus cannot be used to accuratel
Ohio Charter News Weekly – 12.11.20
Chad L. Aldis, Jeff MurrayOhio’s school funding revamp
Ohio Charter News Weekly – 12.4.20
Chad L. Aldis, Jeff MurrayNOTE: Ohio Charter News Weekly is back after a Thanksgiving break. Clips cover the period of 11/20 through 12/4.
The Ohio Senate Education Committee missteps on state assessments, distress commissions
Aaron ChurchillEarlier this week, the Senate Education committee passed Substitute Senate Bill 358, legislation that would extend temporary waivers from state laws that were granted earlier this year in response to the pandemic and school building closures.
Does the updated Cupp-Patterson plan treat charter schools fairly?
Aaron ChurchillThe latest iteration of the Cupp-Patterson school funding plan was recently unveiled in an amendment to House Bill 305 and the introduction of a
Here’s how the Biden administration wants to help teachers with student loans
Jessica PoinerIn the last week, there’s been a flurry of discussion around what the incoming Biden administration could do for student loan borrowers.
Ohio Charter News Weekly – 11.20.20
Chad L. Aldis, Jeff MurrayNOTE: Ohio Charter News Weekly will not be published on 11/27 due to the Thanksgiving holiday. We will return on 12/4 with a new edition.
2020 Fordham Sponsorship Annual Report
The 2019–20 Fordham Sponsorship Annual Report provides insight into our sponsorship work during the year and the performance of our sponsored schools.
Here’s how federal guidance on school accountability in the Covid era could impact Ohio
Jessica PoinerIn the waning days of October, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) released guidance that outlines the flexibilities states have under federal law to modify their accountability systems for the current school year (2020–21).