Ohio’s new school funding formula—challenges with the base cost model
Aaron ChurchillIn anticipation of debates about school funding in the coming months, I recently began a series on Ohio’s new school funding formula.
Ohio Charter News Weekly – 1.27.23
Chad L. Aldis, Jeff MurrayCelebrating National School Choice Week pt 1
Ohio’s new school funding formula: An introduction
Aaron ChurchillIn summer 2021, Ohio lawmakers passed a brand-new school funding formula for Ohio’s 600-plus school districts and 300-plus public charter schools.
Ohio Charter News Weekly – 1.20.23
Chad L. Aldis, Jeff Murray“Stocktaking” of issues facing all public schools
Ohio auditor’s report on teacher pension system raises concerns, no illegalities
Aaron ChurchillIn December, the Ohio Auditor of State released a special audit of the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS).
Ohio should be more transparent about its federal Covid relief spending
Jessica PoinerOver the last few years, the federal government has sent billions of dollars in emergency funding to states via several relief packages aimed at addressing the impacts of Covid-19.
Casting a wide net to help define teacher expertise
Jeff MurrayWe need many more effective, “expert” teachers in our schools. Thus, a new report aiming to synthesize numerous past studies in order to identify attributes that make a top performing teacher should be of interest to practitioners and policymakers alike.
Ohio Charter News Weekly – 1.13.23
Chad L. Aldis, Jeff MurrayCharter growth in Ohio
Three policies Ohio leaders should prioritize in the upcoming budget
Jessica PoinerAs the excitement of a new year dwindles and Ohioans settle back into their familiar routines, policymakers and advocates are gearing up for yet another budget season. Governor DeWine is scheduled to release his proposed biennial state operating budget in just a few short weeks, and by June, a host of new legislative provisions will likely become law.
Fine-tuning Ohio’s school report card: An analysis of the state’s revamped report card in its first year of implementation, 2021–22
Aaron ChurchillExecutive summary
Ohio Charter News Weekly – 1.6.23
Chad L. Aldis, Jeff MurrayThis is our first edition of 2023. Happy New Year to all! It covers news from December 15, 2022 – January 6, 2023. Looking back at 2022 pt 1 – Indianapolis
Another study finds that third-grade retention works
Aaron ChurchillOver the past year, one of the most heavily debated topics in Ohio education has been the retention provision of the Third Grade Reading Guarantee, a decade-old package of early literacy reforms.
The state of play in open enrollment policies
Jeff MurrayOpen enrollment—when students are allowed to enroll in district schools other than the one to which they would be assigned based on their residence—is one of the oldest school choice options in the country.
Ohio Charter News Weekly – 12.16.22
Chad L. Aldis, Jeff MurrayThis is our last edition for 2022. Thank you for reading and subscribing. We’ll be back on January 6, 2023 with a final rundown of late December news. Cincinnati charter school on the grow
To address teacher shortages, Ohio needs better data
Jessica PoinerOver the last few years, dozens of Ohio school districts have expressed growing concern
Ohio Charter News Weekly – 12.9.22
Chad L. Aldis, Jeff MurrayMoving, growing in Dayton
Ohio Charter News Weekly – 12.2.22
Chad L. Aldis, Jeff MurrayCharter news is back following a Thanksgiving week break—covering news items from 11/18 – 12/2. Thanks, as always, for reading and subscribing. Focusing on the visual
Ohio Charter News Weekly – 11.18.22
Chad L. Aldis, Jeff MurrayOhio Charter News will not be distributed next week due to the holiday. Our next edition will publish on December 2. Happy Thanksgiving! Grand opening
2022 Fordham Sponsorship Annual Report
The latest edition of the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation’s sponsorship annual report highlights our work during the 2021-22 school year, overseeing twelve schools that served 5,500 students in four Ohio cities.
Are Ohio’s student achievement goals ambitious enough?
Aaron ChurchillIn the education world, the last couple months have been awash in news and commentary about sagging student achievement in the wake of the pandemic.
Testimony given before the state board of education--11/15/22
Chad L. AldisNOTE: Today, the state board of education heard public comment on a pending resolution which would call for the elimination of the
Ohio leaders need to stand firm on early literacy
Jessica PoinerIf you’ve been paying attention to education headlines this fall, you’ve likely noticed a spate of think pieces and analyses
It’s time to shine a light on Ohio’s Resident Educator Program
Jessica PoinerStarting a teaching career is no easy feat. There are students and staff to get to know, curricula to learn, school routines and expectations to get acquainted with, and a host of other challenges. For many novice teachers, the first few years can be overwhelming enough to push them out of the profession entirely.
Ohio Charter News Weekly – 11.4.22
Chad L. Aldis, Jeff MurrayProviding needed services
Do the math: How to maximize the benefits of ability grouping
Jeff MurrayThe grouping of students into smaller, more homogeneous cohorts is a widespread instructional strategy utilized in elementary classrooms across the country. It is intended to boost the academic outcomes of all students through instruction targeted at an appropriate level, be that remedial or advanced or somewhere in between.
Residential mobility and school choice in Michigan
Jeff MurrayWhen and why families stop using school choice programs might be just as important to understand as why they opt into them in the first place. While supporters and researchers typically focus on issues of school quality, educational fit, and student needs, new data from Michigan suggest there is much more at play.
Could scholarships and loan forgiveness help Ohio diversify the teaching profession?
Jessica PoinerResearch is clear that a more diverse teaching force can improve a wide range of student