Almost three years ago, Fordham and the Northwest Evaluation Association published a landmark study, The Proficiency Illusion, which found that state “proficiency cut scores” varied tremendously, not just from state to state but also within states.
Teacher layoffs are a hot topic nowadays, as are the dire warnings about what will happen if teachers are let go.??
Last month, Ohio became one of the first states to adopt the Common Core State Standards in math and English language arts (ELA). According to a new report from the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, that was a smart move.
There has been much speculation about Obey's obviously divisive (and
The Thomas B. Fordham Institute has deep roots in Dayton, Ohio and has long been immersed in Ohio education policy, particularly as it?relates to charter schools. Debates around charter schools ? their role, their efficacy, even their right to exist ? are hot and contentious in the Buckeye State, perhaps as much so as anywhere else in the nation.
In Fordham’s customary role as a bumptious ed-reform think tank and advocacy shop, it’s unusual to engage in the real work of transforming schools and educating children. But our home state of Ohio has blessed us with many opportunities to get down and dirty in real-world education-reform struggles affecting real kids in a real place.
Don't miss this week's Ohio Education Gadfly, which opens with a look at the Peach State's recent decision to open its doors to two new high-qua
Ohio recently?announced the 42 schools who won School Improvement Grants (SIGs) to fund efforts to turn themselves around. Three are charters and the rest are district schools in 11 districts; their awards total $95 million.
Don't miss this week's Ohio Gadfly for a timely look at what local school districts are doing to save money. In the wake of failed levies, many districts have been trimming costs for years.
Should Ohio win the $400 million it is seeking in Race to the Top, it’s important to know who will be affected. Specifically, what type of student will the much-talked-about funding touch?
Districts across Ohio are facing times of uncertainty and turmoil when it comes to their budgets, and Columbus City Schools are no exception.? Recently, the district has been faced with a firestorm of questions and criticism for leasing a vacant school building to private school Sonshine Christian Academy.?
Here's our fourth take on where dollars will flow should Ohio win Race to the Top. We categorize students according to their schools' graduation rates, thus illuminating especially what type of?high school students will be impacted by funds.
Today we continue our analysis of which Ohio students will be affected by Race to the Top funds should the state win. This time, we are examining the data from yet another angle of performance ? Adequate Yearly Progress, or AYP.
Yesterday we examined who will be affected by Race to the Top funds should Ohio win; specifically, what are the academic ratings of RttT-funded schools?
With MOUs signed, applications submitted, and the words ?buy-in? not falling as freely from reporters mouths, Race to the Top has felt a bit dormant lately. Finalists will be announced in late July and final awards handed to winning states by September.
With Ohio facing worsening budget problems and headed into election season, it's worth reflecting on what's happened since last summer's controversial budget battle, which installed a new school funding system (via HB 1), attempted to incapacitate charter schools, and put ?21st c
What a difference a year makes. This time last year Ohio was in the midst of a heated battle to approve the state's FY2010-2011 budget. House Bill 1 passed in mid-July but its trek through the legislative process was marked more by sniping and political horse-trading than thoughtful policy debate.
Last fall, Terry wrote a piece for the Dayton Daily News highlighting a bizarre consequence of Ohio's academic rating system, namely that otherwise high performing districts failing to make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) with
It's certainly a busy day for Fordham's Ohio team. Check out today's The Sound of Ideas from Cleveland's NPR affiliate WCPN.?
Columbus was the latest city to host the award-winning documentary The Cartel, a film exposing the corruption within New Jersey’s K-12 education establishment.
Ohio’s growing teacher corps has driven up the cost of education, especially as teachers’ salaries and pensions are by far the largest expenditure in K-12 education.
Terry is a panelist today in Cincinnati at ?Trends in Teacher Compensation ? A Symposium for Educators.? In helping him prepare for the event, we've dug up oodles of data about Ohio's schools and teachers.? One set of numbers really jumped out ?
Last week Emmy highlighted the mismatch between Ohio's declining student enrollment (a near seven percent reduction since 2000) and growing teacher corps (up by almost 18 percent).
In case you missed Monday's announcement, be sure to check out this week's Ohio Gadfly to learn
After all the hype and brouhaha, Charles Murray wants to explain something to you. He starts in an odd place: Lackluster results from an evaluation of the Milwaukee voucher program should be cause for celebration. Then he cites Coleman, a perhaps dangerous move in light of how often what goes on in the home is used as an excuse for dreary efforts and results in the classroom.
Just a reminder that today is the last day to vote for the White House's Race to the Top Commencement Challenge. The winning high school will receive a visit from President Obama where he will speak at their commencement.
This week's Ohio Education Gadfly launches off with a timely call from Terry to educate children ?within our means.?
Education Action Group FoundationSpring 2010
