March 2008

Algebra for everyone: Common end-of-course test will ensure that all Ohioans learn the material »

3/28/08 Columbus Dispatch Editorial Developing consistent educational standards within and among states is an important step to improve Americans’ education. Some central Ohio schools that are joining in a project to create a standard end-of-course test for Algebra II deserve praise for helping to do that. Ohio’s education-reform efforts include a mandate that, starting with [...]

Charter schools’ tax-free status challenged: Teachers union asks IRS to rule that White Hat is too involved »

3/28/08 Columbus Dispatch Jennifer Smith Richards More than two dozen schools run by Ohio’s largest charter-school operator have illegally claimed tax-free status, a teachers union alleges. More charter schools run by other for-profit operators probably shouldn’t be considered nonprofit organizations, the Ohio Federation of Teachers contended yesterday in announcing that it had asked the IRS [...]

Editorial: Cleveland’s Promise Academy offers dropouts a chance to drop back in »

3/27/08 Plain Dealer Editorial The Cleveland schools’ pitiful 55 percent graduation rate makes all kinds of alter native education ideas welcome. In a city and a region stifled economically by a widespread lack of education cannot afford to bind itself strictly to traditional approaches. Promise Academy, a charter school for high school dropouts started by [...]

Gov. Ted Strickland collects ideas for reforming Ohio’s public schools »

3/27/08 Plain Dealer Column Janet Okoben Major changes in the state’s K-12 public school system are evolving as Gov. Ted Strickland fields ideas from various business, academic and civic players around the state. The governor said in his State of the State speech last month that he would have a plan to reform education by [...]

CCS adopts new construction policies »

3/27/08 ThisWeek David J. Cross The Columbus Board of Education last week approved new rules that might reduce the number of contractors eligible to bid on district construction jobs. At its March 19 meeting, the board voted 6-1 to adopt criteria that take a stricter stance on violations of the state’s prevailing wage laws. Board [...]