Gadfly Bites 2/22/23—Now was that so hard?
Jeff MurrayNice coverage of Governor DeWine’s all-in push to make the science of reading the law of the land he
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.
Gadfly Bites 2/20/23—Geeking out
Jeff MurrayThis feels like good news to me: It was announced last week that Ohio will join the group o
Gadfly Bites 2/17/23—But you must act now!
Jeff MurrayOhio’s state auditor and the president of the Ohio Association of Community Colleges published
Gadfly Bites 2/15/23—The price is wrong
Jeff MurrayThe Senate Education Committee heard testimony on SB 1 yesterday.
Testimony presented before the Senate Education Committee on Senate Bill 1—2/14/23
Chad L. AldisNOTE: Today, the Ohio Senate’s Education Committee heard testimony on SB 1
The governor’s state of the state highlights his early literacy agenda
Jessica PoinerLast week, Governor DeWine delivered the first state of the state address of his second term.
Gadfly Bites 2/13/23—“It may never be a perfect system”
Jeff MurrayAs I was reading this piece about
Gadfly Bites 2/10/23—Happy to share data
Jeff MurrayThere’s not much substantive detail in this coverage, but the Ohio Department o
Gadfly Bites 2/3/23—The good, the bad, and the obvious of voucher expansion
Jeff MurrayWhile Governor DeWine’s budget priorities included billions (billions I say!) to support a huge range of K-12 education priorities, lotsa folks out here in punditland only want to talk about proposed EdChoice Scholarship
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.
Fordham Institute media statement on Governor DeWine’s education proposals
Ohio Education GadflyToday, Governor Mike DeWine announced his state budget priorities for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 in his state of the state address. Among his K–12 education proposals include bold steps that would greatly strengthen Ohio’s school choice programs.
Improving the accuracy of school funding data
Jeff MurrayMany states fund students who utilize school choice—public charter schools, private school voucher programs, interdistrict open enrollment, and the like—via “passthrough” mechanisms whereby per-pupil funding goes into a student’s home district coffers first before being transferred to the schools that stud
Gadfly Bites 1/30/23—Earnest pondering
Jeff MurrayThe superintendent of LaBrae Local Schools (nope, me neither) has a list of interesting questions that
Gadfly Bites 1/27/23—Sometimes, I can’t even report ‘em
Jeff MurrayThere are, in my estimation, only two people in Ohio (outside of state government, that is) who truly understand our school funding system. Neither of them is me.
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.
Gadfly Bites 1/25/23—When you want something done, ask a busy person to do it
Jeff MurrayThree reasons why legislators are right to transform the state board of education
Jessica PoinerIn December, state lawmakers rocked the boat during an otherwise sleepy lame duck session by moving forward with a proposal to significantly overhaul Ohio’s education governance structure.
Gadfly Bites 1/23/23—Impossible to overestimate
Jeff MurrayDespite the somewhat-traditional National School Choice Week snowfall,
Gadfly Bites 1/18/23—Checking in on the big districts
Jeff MurrayIt’s an all-Urban 8 edition today.
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.
Gadfly Bites 1/13/23—Anyone besides me kinda hope it’s cloudy that day?
Jeff MurrayWe first noted this…unusual story last Friday, and simply alluded to it in the Bites because it seemed fanciful at the time.
Fordham Institute statement on introduction of Senate Bill 1
Ohio Education GadflyToday, Senator Bill Reineke introduced Senate Bill 1, legislation that would dramatically change the duties of the State Board of Education, create a Department of Education and Workforce Development, and make the new department part of the governor’s cabinet.
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.