New state data offer tantalizing clues about Ohio’s teacher shortages
Jessica PoinerTeacher shortages have been a hot topic over the last few years.
Reinventing Ohio’s Charter School Sector, 2015–2023: Ohio’s successful charter turnaround—and what’s needed next
Aaron ChurchillFor more than two decades, the charter school movement has aimed to provide parents with more public-school options, empower educators to launch innovative schools, and boost student achievement. This report looks at the progress Ohio is making toward achieving these ambitious goals. It includes an overview of the landmark reforms that state lawmakers enacted in 2015 to strengthen accountability for charter school performance, as well as the improvements the sector has made since then. The report also discusses the large funding disparities that public charter schools in Ohio still face, and how legislators can work to bridge those gaps.
The Ohio House’s education budget gives something for everyone
Aaron ChurchillEarlier this week, the Ohio House of Representatives passed its version of the state budget bill for FYs 2024 and 2025. The House legislation follows up on Governor DeWine’s budget introduced in February. Included in this massive legislation are hundreds of provisions affecting K–12 education. How did the lower chamber do?
Ohio has a golden opportunity to expand Medicaid-funded health services in schools
Jeff MurrayThe state budget bill that was passed by the House this week contains a provision that, if enacted, would be a boon to some of Ohio’s most vulnerable children and a vital support to the schools that serve them.
Backing down from the Third Grade Reading Guarantee is on brand for Ohio policymakers
Jessica PoinerOhio’s recent focus on early literacy is largely thanks to Governor DeWine’s budget recommendations, which contain a bold plan to boost reading achievement in Ohio.
The social and emotional damage of socially promoting struggling readers
Jessica PoinerOver the last few weeks, debates about early literacy have dominated headlines in Ohio.
Fordham Institute testimony on Substitute House Bill 33—4/19/23
Aaron ChurchillNOTE: Today, members of the Ohio House Finance Committee received testimony on the education provisions of Substitute House Bill 33, establishing the operating budget for the sta
Will Ohio’s Covid Generation Get Back on Track? An analysis of 2021–22 state test results—and how to accelerate learning
Aaron ChurchillIn fall 2022, the Ohio Department of Education released state assessment results from the 2021-22 school year. The data continue to reveal the massive learnings losses that occurred during the pandemic, along with the uneven recovery in its wake. This report offers a close look at Ohio's achievement data from the 2018-19 to 2021-22 school years, and concludes with four recommendations that can help accelerate student learning across the Buckeye State.
Will “temporary” guarantees persist under Ohio’s new school funding formula?
Aaron ChurchillA basic principle of school funding is that dollars ought to follow students to the schools they actually attend. Funds shouldn’t be directed to the schools that children attended last year or the year before. That’s because the schools serving students today bear the responsibility—and costs—of educating them today.
Ohio Charter News Weekly – 4.7.23
Jeff MurrayKudos to charters and their staffers across Ohio
A reminder that third grade reading retention is right
Jessica PoinerIn 2012, Ohio lawmakers enacted the Third Grade Reading Guarantee, a significant early literacy reform package. Under the initiative, schools must administer diagnostic reading assessments to students in grades K–3.
Ohio Charter News Weekly – 3.31.23
Jeff MurrayGood news of the week—brick-and-mortar edition
Four ways that Ohio lawmakers can bolster the early literacy push
Shannon Holston, Jessica Poiner, Aaron ChurchillGovernor DeWine recently unveiled a bold plan to significantly improve early literacy in Ohio.
Moving to “direct certification” will help Ohio better fund low-income students
Aaron ChurchillIn a series of articles, I’ve been looking at various issues
Testimony submitted on House Bill 33—3/14/23
Chad L. AldisNOTE: Today, the Ohio House's Finance Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education Committee heard testimony on House Bill 33, legislation establishing the state’s budget for fis
Ohio Charter News Weekly – 3.10.23
Chad L. Aldis, Jeff MurrayIn case you missed it, Charter News co-author Chad Aldis is leaving Ohio and returning to his native Iowa for a big important job. This is his last edition of the news, but our weekly roundups will continue with Jeff Murray as solo author.
DeWine budget seeks to re-establish the student wellness and success fund
Jessica PoinerDuring his first term, Governor DeWine established a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at helping schools address the non-academic needs of students.
Ohio Charter News Weekly – 3.3.23
Chad L. Aldis, Jeff MurrayOhio Education By the Numbers
Budget proposal would help address Ohio’s substitute teacher shortage
Jessica PoinerGovernor DeWine’s budget recommendations are out, and they tackle a host of education issues.
Ohio Charter News Weekly – 2.24.23
Chad L. Aldis, Jeff MurrayHappening now in Ohio charter schools
Ohio is narrowing the charter funding gap—but it still needs to do more
Aaron ChurchillOhio has long underfunded charter schools. Back in 2004, we at Fordham published a Dayton-specific study finding that the city’s charters received just two-thirds of the revenue as the local district.
Ohio’s new school funding formula: What is the “state share” mechanism, and will it function properly over the long term?
Aaron ChurchillThis being a budget year, state lawmakers will soon be delving into the minutia of school funding. To help inform these discussions, we’ve begun a series looking at Ohio’s funding system, including a deep-dive into the new formula that lawmakers enacted in 2021 and which Governor DeWine has proposed to maintain.
What can Ohio learn from Mississippi’s early literacy initiatives?
Jessica PoinerIn 2013, Mississippi passed a comprehensive early literacy policy aimed at ensuring that students can read proficiently by the end of third grade, which research shows is a make-or-break benchmark.
Ohio Charter News Weekly – 2.17.23
Chad L. Aldis, Jeff MurrayCelebration and appreciation