Current News Click for: News Archives June 2000 - December 2004
· August 1, 2008- More Students To Attend Private Schools At Taxpayer Expense
More than 10,450 public school students in Ohio will attend private schools at taxpayer expense this fall, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Last year about 7,000 students used vouchers to enroll in private schools. The vouchers are worth up to $4,375 for elementary and middle school tuition, and up to $5,150 for high schools. The report said only students who attend schools that have been rated in Academic Watch or Academic Emergency for at least two of the last three years qualify. The Ohio Educational Choice scholarships (vouchers) program is in its third year.
Source: Cincinnati Enquirer
· July 31, 2008- Media Commentaries Worth Repeating
"For more than a decade, school funding in Ohio has been like the weather. We love to talk about it. But no one does anything about it. That simply must change. One difference this time could be [Governor] Strickland will represent himself at the "listening table" more often than not. Hopefully, that will make a difference." ....Bucyrus Telegraph Forum
"[Governor] Strickland acknowledged the financial challenges inherent in most of the ideas, but said it's imperative to talk about reforming education before tackling school funding itself, which was his campaign pledge in 2006." ...Cincinnati Enquirer
"He [Governor Strickland] also continues to challenge voters to judge him on his efforts to address the education funding conundrum. It is the rare politician that reminds voters of his or her campaign promises long after the final votes have been tabulated." ....Akron Beacon Journal
· July 30, 2008- Fuel Prices Force Schools To Weigh Cuts
A survey by the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) finds 99% of superintendents contacted say they're feeling the pinch from high fuel costs and 77% say they're not getting any help from their state. The AASA survey of 546 superintendents, released yesterday, follows an informal poll last month that found fuel and heating costs rising from 10% to 32% over last year. Other surveys have found that transportation costs are up by as much as 40% in the nation's 14,100 school districts.
The percentage of superintendents who say their school districts are taking the following steps to counteract rising fuel prices:
Sources: USA Today and American Association of School Administrators Fuel and Energy Snapshot Survey
· July 29, 2008- Is Denver Merit-Pay Model In Trouble?
An article in this week's edition of Education Week said Denver’s performance-pay system for teachers has long been hailed as a model, in good part because it was jointly conceived and implemented by the school district and the local teachers’ union. But, according to the article, that collaborative spirit is now in jeopardy, with union and district leaders engaged in a protracted battle over proposed changes to the system. The impasse in Denver is significant at a time when performance-pay, or merit pay, has gained popularity among politicians, including Presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain, who have spoken out in favor of performance pay.
It was pointed out that the only study relating to the effectiveness of the Denver performance-pay system, conducted by an assistant professor of education at the University of Colorado, found that teachers who opted into the program raised student test scores only slightly compared with their peers who did not take part in the pay plan. However, that study looked at only two years’ worth of data.
Read the article. Click: Denver Merit-Pay Plan Embroiled in Conflict
· July 28, 2008- Reforming Public Education And School Funding In Ohio
"As a former congressman and lifelong resident of Appalachia, he [Governor Strickland] understands that your place of birth and where you are raised in this state predetermines the quality of your educational opportunity."
"Lawmakers have been reluctant in the past to address school funding in any meaningful way in large part because the current system burdens local school boards and superintendents with asking voters for tax increases and frees lawmakers to run on anti-tax platforms."
"But with so much at stake, and the lack of any leadership on this issue from previous governors, it is not too much to give Strickland the benefit of the doubt and trust he is sincere. It is really the only hope we hold."
....Dennis Willard, Akron Beacon Journal, July 27, 2008
Read the commentary. Click: Dennis Willard: Governor's 12-city tour seems sincere
"He [Governor Strickland] spoke memorably about ''the anemic . . . cowardly political structure that is unwilling to take the bold action that needs to be taken . . . to make elementary and secondary education adequately and fairly funded in our state.''
"Say, the governor puts forward a reasonable plan, one meriting discussion, inviting compromise, offering the possibility of improving a funding system that has been punishing to schools and the state. Will Republicans choose to be part of the solution?"
"Ted Strickland wants to get beyond much of the here and now. He wants to engage Ohioans in something larger, their capacity to compete and prosper, the quality of life they will leave to the next generation. He's doing what a governor should do."
....Michael Douglas, Akron Beacon Journal, July 27, 2008
· July 25, 2008- "School Funding Still Ridiculous" & "Talking With Ted"
· July 24, 2008- Governor: School Funding Discussions To Be Held This Fall
Governor Strickland told an Akron audience yesterday that a discussion on school funding will take place in a second series of conversations this fall, but he wants to know what kind of education system he's funding before he talks to voters about how to pay for it. ''We're going to be more successful if we can say to people, this is what we want to provide educationally, and this is how much we think it's going to cost or how we think it ought to be financed,'' the Governor said. ''I think that's a better argument than just simply implying that we want more money to do whatever we're already doing. We're already spending a lot of money to do what we're already doing.''
· July 23, 2008- Governor's Conversation On Education Schedule And Video Connections
The
meetings will address education policies. The focus is on six principles the
Governor spelled out in his State of the State address earlier this year.
They are:
-- Strengthen the commitment to public education;
-- Link education to economic prosperity;
-- Identify the strengths of schools;
-- Consult and follow the lead of teachers;
-- Develop specific, personalized education programs appropriate to a
student's needs and abilities; and
-- Use testing to understand a student's capabilities, weaknesses and growth.
A second set of meetings this fall will explore changes to Ohio's school-funding system.
Live video of each meeting will be broadcast on the homepage of this site (www.ConversationOnEducation.org), . In order to view the live video presentation, you must have a recent version of Adobe Flash Player and a broadband Internet connection. Upon completion, all meetings will also be saved in the media archive on the website above for later viewing. Visit the site above for information on how to sponsor a WATCH PARTY.
The times and locations for the remaining meetings are:
|
|
Akron--July
23, 2008 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
|
Cincinnati--July
28, 2008 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
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Dayton--July
29, 2008 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
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Cleveland--August 6, 2008 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM |
Zanesville--August 11, 2008 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM |
Chillicothe--August 12, 2008 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM |
Lima--August 15, 2008 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM |
Marietta--August 18, 2008 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM |
Toledo--August
20, 2008 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
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Youngstown--September 3, 2008 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM |
Mansfield--September
15, 2008 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
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· July 23, 2008- Graduate Credit For Attending 2008-09 CORAS Meetings
OHIO UNIVERSITY TO GRANT GRADUATE CREDIT, TUITION FREE, FOR ATTENDING 2008-09 CORAS MEETINGS
The format will be different for the first four CORAS membership meetings during the 2008-09 school year. CORAS has arranged with Battelle for Kids to conduct four interconnected programs that can also stand alone as four separate presentations. The programs are:
Highly-Effective Teaching Revealed and Replicated Through Classroom-Level Value-Added
Analysis
Leadership
for Results
Each session will begin with registration/continental breakfast at 9:00 AM and conclude following a buffet luncheon at 12:30 PM. All four sessions will be held at the Olde Dutch Restaurant in Logan, Ohio.
The Ohio University College of Education has agreed to grant one (1) quarter hour graduate credit, tuition fee, (a savings of nearly $400) to administrators and employees of CORAS member schools who attend all four sessions. However, there will be one-time $85.00 Ohio University fee, plus a $15.00 CORAS registration fee for each session. The latter fee is to cover the cost of materials, continental breakfast and buffet lunch.
Attendance at all four sessions is required to receive one (1) quarter hour of graduate credit from Ohio University. Those seeking graduate credit must submit payment of $145.00 prior to September 16, 2008, which includes the $85.00 Ohio University fee and the $15.00 CORAS registration fee for each of the four sessions. Those not seeking graduate credit may pay the $15.00 by P.O. or at the door, as in past years.
Mark your calendars today. Registration materials and more detailed information about each session will be mailed to CORAS members in early August.
· July 17, 2008- More On Ohio's School Funding Gaps
· July 16, 2008- School Supplies, Textbooks Costs Continue To Rise
· July 15, 2008- Number Of Homeless Children Expected To Rise
· July 14, 2008- "A Reality Check For Ohio k-12 Public School 'System' Funding"
What is the result?
The February 2008 Cupp report (available from the Ohio Department of Education Web site), which summarizes spending for public K-12 districts in Ohio, reveals the following facts:
By almost every financial measure, there is no "equity" in funding for Ohio's public schools. The state of Ohio is supposed to have a public school system that provides similar educational opportunities for all Ohio children. We are not even close.
It is time to consider some radical changes in school funding
Pooling a substantial portion of property taxes, either statewide or by region or county
Setting a consistent inside millage rate for all school districts
Consolidating districts or splitting large district
Shifting property tax revenue from "rich" districts to "poor" districts
Changing the law to allow for some additional revenue growth for districts (eliminate the "rollback" provision in HB920)
There is little support for any of these changes; that's one reason we are stuck with the funding system we currently have. School organizations (OSBA) are against "pooling;" rich districts understandably do not support any redistribution of their revenue; legislators and taxpayers do not support eliminating the rollback; few want to discuss consolidation.
Another problem with either providing additional funding or redistributing existing funding for schools is that it is difficult to say with certainty that a specific dollar amount will result in a corresponding gain in student performance (assuming we have an agreed-upon definition of performance). Learning and teaching are complex processes and improvements are not immediate. But to those who say that the per-pupil funding level doesn't make any difference, I propose a straightforward experiment - let's ask Cuyahoga Heights and Columbus Grove to swap funding levels for three years. Let's see if this will make any difference in student performance at those schools.
Ohio's children are not "raw material" that can be run through a "process" to create a consistent "product." Ohio's public schools have to meet students where they are and move students forward. Students in the same grade do not all start at the same place - each student is unique. There are teaching methods that work, but teaching and learning are not "one-size-fits-all" processes. Test scores cannot be the sole determinant of quality or performance.
To be fair, in the 17 years that have passed since the DeRolph decision, the legislature has taken steps to reduce inequities in funding, has provided significant state funding for buildings, and has tinkered around the edges of the funding system. The state of Ohio does try to account for the difference in local property tax valuation through the state foundation formula; low-wealth districts get a higher amount of state funding per-pupil than high-wealth districts. But the result of all of this is clear - significant funding inequities remain.
The governor has promised to release details of a new funding plan within the next few months, but as long as local property taxes are a primary source of revenue for local school systems, many schools will struggle. If we cannot fix Ohio's public school funding system to provide a more consistent education (yes, that means funding level) for every child enrolled in Ohio's public schools, it may be that we should just quit trying. Perhaps we need to create a "full disclosure" statement similar to the following:
Dear Ohio Public School Student:
Despite our best efforts, we have not been able to devise a way to fund Ohio's public schools so that every student will have a similar educational experience; some public schools will continue to have three times as many dollars-per-student as other public schools. This means the educational opportunities available to you in an Ohio public K-12 school will depend to a great degree on where you live. This does not mean your local community does not value education, or that your parents do not support your school - it just means that our funding system causes significant inequalities. Of course, every public school will do the best it can with the resources available.
We wish you good luck as you pursue your education,
Ohio's elected representatives, on behalf of the citizens of Ohio
Bob Haas has served as a member of the River Valley Board of Education since 1992. His opinions do not necessarily reflective of the opinions of the River Valley School Board or administration.
| Data source: FY-2007 District Profile Report (also known as the Cupp Report) |
· July 11, 2008- Fuel Costs, Forcing Busing Cuts, May Jeopardize Safety
· July 10, 2008- One System Of Public Education In Ohio And A Question About Fairness
In 1997, the Ohio Supreme Court said, "In establishing such a system [an entirely new school financing system], the General Assembly shall recognize that there is but one system of public education in Ohio: It is a statewide system, expressly created by the state's highest document, the Constitution." If it is in fact one statewide system of public education, established by the Ohio Constitution, why does the state treat some of its school children better than others?
· July 9, 2008- Districts With Low Property Valuation Left Behind
· July 8, 2008- Performance Pressure and Resource Allocation In Ohio
Read the full report. Click: Download Full Report (this report is long, but provides some insight for Ohio's education/school funding reform issues)
Source: Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs, University of Washington
· July 7, 2008- "School Funding's Tragic Flaw"
“At every level of government, federal, state, and local, policymakers give more resources to students who have more resources, and less to those who have less,” states the new report, School Funding's Tragic Flaw, released in May 2008 by the University of Washington’s Center on Reinventing Public Education. “These funding disparities accumulate as they cascade through multiple layers of government, with the end result being massive disparities between otherwise similar schools.” “By perpetuating school finance systems that treat children from different districts so differently, by shackling students to the economic circumstances into which they were born, states are undermining the egalitarian goals of public education," the report concluded.
To illustrate how this three-layered K-12 funding benefits students and schools that are better off, the report says:
Federal policy – The Title I program, which provides money to school districts with high concentrations of poor students, contributes to the funding disparity problem. Title I allocations are dependent upon how much states and districts spend. States and districts with more money spend more money, so they get more federal dollars. States and districts that are poorer and, therefore, have less money to spend, get fewer federal dollars, penalizing poorer states.
State policy – Many states have adopted policies, some prompted by lawsuits, to equalize funding between richer and poorer school districts. However, laws allowing local districts to augment state funding with local property tax levies often mean those districts with higher property wealth wind up with more money. Also, when state funds are distributed according to staffing reimbursement formulas, wealthier districts that spend more typically benefit.
Local policy – Districts make decisions that determine how funding is distributed among individual schools, especially around budgeting for teachers. When teachers are allowed to choose where they work, they tend to go to lower-poverty schools where working conditions may be better. High-poverty schools typically have less experienced teachers and higher turnover rates, so the average teacher salary is usually much lower in those schools, resulting in significant per-student funding disparities between schools within districts.
The report offers a series of policy ideas to help remedy the problem of funding disparity at the three levels of government. While the study focuses on North Carolina and Virginia, it presents implications for all states.
Source: The Center on Reinventing Public Education, University of Washington
Read the full report. Click: Download Full Report
· July 2, 2008- Governor's Conversation On Education Forums
· July 1, 2008- "Unique ID's" Proposed To Track Students
· June 30, 2008- Poll: Education Slips As A Campaign Issue
· June 27, 2008- While Schools And Families Struggle............
Most of us have read about the record profits reported by Exxon-Mobile and other oil companies, now it's the mega-grocery chains. A headline in Tuesday's newspaper read, KROGER REPORTS RECORD PROFITS. While schools and families struggle, the big corporations have the luxury to increase revenue by raising prices, not only to cover their costs, but to make record profits.
· June 26, 2008- Study: Teachers Not Being Taught Math Properly
· June 25, 2008- Small High Schools Experiment Doesn't Deliver Promises
Small Schools And The Pressure To Consolidate
Small Schools And The Pressure To Consolidate
· June 24, 2008- Bad News For Schools?
"Though the 52-page National Governors Association-National Association of State Budget Officers (NGA-NASBO) report doesn’t focus on education, it’s clear the findings don’t bode well for K-12 schools, which took up the biggest chunk—34.4 percent—of states’ general-fund budgets in fiscal 2007. Even though state leaders typically cut K-12 spending only as a last resort, it’s unclear how many states can continue to weather the economic storm without slashing funds for public schools." .....Education Week, June 19, 2008
According to Education Week, the reason for states’ budget problems are numerous: Rising fuel costs are driving up the cost of doing state business, the slowdown in the real estate market has hit states’ tax revenues hard, and general sales, corporate, and personal income taxes aren’t growing as much as they did during stronger economic times.
Read the NGA-NASBO, June 2008 report. Click: new report
Adding to Ohio's economic woes, a report released Friday show the state's unemployment rate was 6.3 percent in May, up from 5.6 percent in April. The number of unemployed workers in Ohio in May was 380,000, up from 335,000 in April. The number of unemployed people has increased by 43,000 in the past 12 months. Ohio's 6.3 percent unemployment figure tops the national rate of 5.5 percent.
· June 23, 2008- Speculation Begins Over Who Will Be Ohio's Next School Superintendent
Ohio State's not playing football yet, and pro hockey is on ice for the summer. So among the popular sports in Columbus these days is the guessing game over who will replace Susan Tave Zelman as state schools superintendent. Even before Zelman's announcement last month that she would be departing before year's end, pundits in the state capital were laying odds on who would replace her. This much is known: Some members of the State Board of Education, which is charged with hiring a new superintendent, have said they want to snag a person with strong Ohio ties. And to get the job, that person will need the blessing of Gov. Ted Strickland. "The governor expects to have a strong voice in the process," said his spokesman, Keith Dailey. "I think the governor sees himself as being a partner in this process with the board." What has emerged is a short list of names of potential candidates who would appear to meet those prerequisites.
GEORGE WOOD
Principal, Federal Hocking High School in Athens County
Why: Friend and ally of the governor and his wife from southeast Ohio. Authored the then governor- elect's K-12 transition paper. Out-of-the-box thinker not afraid to make waves. Has been a teacher, school board member, professor and principal. Founding director of Wildwood Secondary School in Los Angeles. His current school is rated one of America's 100 Best by Reader's Digest.
Why not: May lack the administrative experience to run a major state department.
JAMES MAHONEY
Executive director, Battelle for Kids.
Why: Point man in the state's effort to use "value added" data that measures the academic growth of a child. Vast experience as a superintendent, principal, teacher and professor. Skillful in building bridges among education, community, political and business leaders.
Why not: Good resume, but he might be more valuable making sure the value-added project stays on course.
EUGENE SANDERS
CEO, Cleveland city schools.
Why: Track record of moving student achievement in urban districts and fostering cooperation between administration and teachers unions. Good relationship with Strickland's staff. Strong administrative skills. Has been a visible advocate for public education in the state legislature. Experience as a college professor doesn't hurt.
Why not: Could be substantial pay cut.
DAVID ESTROP
Superintendent, Lakewood schools.
Why: Articulate critic of state and federal accountability systems. Had delivered strong academic results in Lakewood in the wake of changing social and economic demographics. Under contract in Lakewood through 2009-10 school year but has indicated interest in making a move.
Why not: Brings a lot to the table, but Strickland might want someone better known in statewide business and political circles.
GENE HARRIS
Superintendent, Columbus city schools.
Why: Dynamic urban school leader with strong track re cord of academic success. Heads Ohio's largest school district. Has been open to innovation programs, such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, schools. Familiar with the lay of the land in Columbus and known by folks inside the I-270 beltway.
Why not: With her district probably seeking a large tax increase in November, this might be a bad time to jump ship.
CARL KOHRT
President and CEO of Battelle for Kids.
Why: Seasoned business leader with an ability to overhaul large state department. Runs the world's largest independent nonprofit research and development organization. Key player in Strickland's push to establish STEM schools. Understands link between education and the economy.
Why not: Lack of direct experience in education could hurt.
A few of the prospective candidates, such as Sanders, declined to comment on the possibility of seeking the state superintendent’s post. Others said they have heard the rumors, too. “I’m flattered people would give me that consideration,” Wood said. “I love doing what I’m doing, but I’m anxious to help this governor any way I can.”
Estrop also confirmed that he’s heard his name floated. “I’m certainly aware my name is being advanced,” Estrop said. “Obviously, I’m very humbled and honored that there are those who believe I’d be qualified to serve the people of Ohio as their superintendent of public instruction.”
Mahoney said he hasn’t talked to anybody about the job. “I love what I’m doing,” he said.
The State Board of Education has hired the Worthington- based Hudepohl & Associates to handle the search. Zelman said she will stay on the job until a new superintendent is hired. Zelman, who has been actively seeking another job in and out of the state, is in her 10th year as the state’s top education official. Her days became numbered after Strickland in February suggested establishing a new Cabinet-level education director’s position. That idea has not materialized, but Strickland is expected to have a large role in helping the state board replace Zelman.
However it ends up, Mahoney said groups like his will help. “We’re going to support whatever person it is,” he said. “That’s what we do.”
· June 20, 2008- 2008 OGT Results For Public School Sophomores
· June 19, 2008- Report: Bottom Students Show Greater Gains On NAEP Tests
A new study, released yesterday by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, compared trends in scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress tests in reading and math for the bottom 10 percent of students nationwide with those for the top 10 percent. The data show that from 2000 to 2007, the scores of the top 10 percent of students essentially held steady on National Assessment of Educational Progress tests in reading and math, increasing by 3 points in 4th grade reading and 5 points in 8th grade math. The scores for the bottom 10 percent of students, meanwhile, rose by 16 points on the 4th grade reading test and 13 points in 8th grade math. One exception to that pattern was in 8th grade reading, where low-achieving students' scores declined and the achievement gap widened slightly.
The report also included results of a survey of a nationally representative sample of 900 teachers. Seven in 10 teachers said their schools were more likely to focus on struggling students than average or advanced students when tracking achievement data and trying to raise test scores. And about three-quarters of the teachers surveyed said they agreed with this statement: “Too often, the brightest students are bored and under-challenged in school — we’re not giving them a sufficient chance to thrive.”
According to the New York Times, a vice president at Education Trust, which lobbies for policies to help close the achievement gap, said the gains by low achievers should be applauded. “My concern is that this report makes it seem like we have to choose between seeking equity and excellence,” she said. “We need to strive for both.”
Read the report. Click: Full report | Foreword | Executive Summary
Also see: Slideshow presentation of the findings
Sources: New York Times, Education Week and Thomas B. Fordham Foundation
· June 18, 2008- Report Calls For Greater Attention To Low-Income Students