Gadfly Bites 5/12/23—Dogs are part of the deal
Jeff Murray“As the Ohio General Assembly finishes work on the state’s two-year budget due June 30,
Testimony provided on Substitute House Bill 33—5/10/23
Aaron ChurchillNote: Today, the Ohio Senate’s Education Committee heard testimony on Substitute House Bill 33, the state’s budget bill for fiscal years 2024 and 2025.
Gadfly Bites 5/10/23—Degraded spectacle
Jeff MurrayLots to cover today. So let’s crack on!
Gadfly Bites 5/8/23—Ill-starred, perhaps?
Jeff MurrayIn case you didn’t know, this is National Charter Schools Week.
Gadfly Bites 5/5/23—It hits different
Jeff MurrayNot much for me to write about today, but I think the phrase “Future Scholars of Medicine Club” would pique my interest even on a busy news day.
Gadfly Bites 5/3/23—Reinventing the wheel…and then keeping it to yourself
Jeff MurrayState Rep.
Gadfly Bites 4/28/23—Maybe their options are a little too open?
Jeff MurrayWhile the state budget bill is the big news we want to talk about today, the good folks in the media have not forgotten about that other legislation out there.
Gadfly Bites 4/26/23—“We have intentional efforts regarding kids”
Jeff MurrayMike DeWine, Thomas B.
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.
How will Ohio ensure that schools are actually following the science of reading?
Aaron ChurchillLed by Governor DeWine, the science of reading movement is taking off in the Buckeye State. While the push is new in Ohio, the reading science isn’t.
Gadfly Bites 4/24/23—Well, as long as you can feel it, sir, I’m sure it must be true
Jeff MurrayU.S.
Gadfly Bites 4/21/23—Yes, every kid dang it
Jeff MurrayWEB CORPS is a great-sounding summer program for low-income rising juniors and seniors in Lorain County…but unfortuna
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
Gadfly Bites 4/19/23—“A familiar foe”
Jeff MurrayIn case you missed it, the substitute version of the state budget bill in the House dropped yesterday.
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.
Gadfly Bites 4/17/23—Start regurgitating the news
Jeff MurrayIs Springfield City Schools’ School of Innovation a choice? A punishment? A diversion? Current principal says choice: “I do not have kids that are here because of trouble.
Gadfly Bites 4/14/23—Anti-drama
Jeff MurrayWe’re back after a little break Wednesday. Hope you didn’t miss that sweet sweet snark too much!
Gadfly Bites 4/10/23—Y’all can’t think of any other way to put it?
Jeff MurrayFordham’s own Aaron Churchill has some choice words to say while refuting critics of Ohio’s voucher programs in
Gadfly Bites 4/7/23—Parents are unique, too, y’all
Jeff MurrayFordham is namechecked in this story about the possibility of voucher expan
Gadfly Bites 4/5/23—Look at all these choices
Jeff MurrayHere’s a nice look at a career fair sponsored by Elyria City Schools staffers.
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.
Gadfly Bites 4/3/23—Oh, it’s the healthy kind of competition now, is it?
Jeff MurrayLots and lots to unpack in this one story.
Gadfly Bites 3/31/23—“The authentic scoop”
Jeff MurrayThroughout the coverage of Governor DeWine’s visits to elementary schools around the state in recent days, we have been sure to note some demurring (sometimes subtle, sometimes not) on the part of teachers and school admi
Gadfly Bites 3/29/23—Untouchable monopolistic primacy, or yesterday’s sardines
Jeff MurrayWe start today with yet more irresponsible commentary from a school district about
Fordham Institute testimony on Substitute Senate Bill 1—3/28/23
Michael J. PetrilliNOTE: Today, the Ohio House Economic and Workforce Development Committee heard testimony on Substitute Senate Bill 1, which would make important structural changes to education governance in the state.
Gadfly Bites 3/27/23—Zoned out
Jeff MurrayIn a surprise to no one, the Westerville Planning Commission rejected a condi
Gadfly Bites 3/24/23—Drastic steps
Jeff MurrayThe wording of this piece makes it sound like Governor DeWine is launching pa