State report cards: Brick and mortar charters outperform Big 8 district schools in overall value-added
According to an analysis of 2016-2017 report cards by Buckeye Charter School Boards, Inc. (BCSB), brick and mortar charter schools out-paced Big 8 urban district schools in overall value-added. READ MORE

Each Child, Our Future to provide strategic direction
The State Board of Education and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Paolo DeMaria have unveiled a vision for Ohio’s system of K-12 public education in its recently released five-year strategic plan: Each Child, Our Future.  The plan identifies ensuring equity as Ohio’s greatest educational challenge – providing each and every child – regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, language, disability, family background and/or income -- with access to relevant and challenging academic experiences and resources.

More than 150 stakeholders from throughout the state contributed to development of the plan, with an additional 1,200 Ohio citizens participating in 13 regional meetings. Access the plan online

State Board members among policy makers raising state report card concerns
Recent release of 2017-2018 state school report cards has continued debate and discussion on whether Ohio’s current accountability scorecard accurately reflects school performance.  At its Sept. meeting, members of the State Board of Education joined the debate, expressing concern that Ohio’s report cards do not paint an accurate picture of school and district performance. 

An important reminder of Lindsay's Law
School leaders who haven’t yet added provisions of S.B. 252 (enacted Sept. 2017) to their training and parent communications task lists should do so!  The legislation, named for national heart health advocate and former Miss Ohio Lindsay Davis, who suffers from a heart condition, seeks to address potential cases of Sudden Cardiac Arrest among student athletes.  In accordance with the law, various stakeholders jointly developed guidelines and other relevant materials to inform and educate students and youth athletes participating (or desiring to participate) in an athletic activity, their parents, and their coaches about the nature and warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest. Learn more at: http://www.odh.ohio.gov/landing/Lindsays-Law.aspx

House, Senate education committee chairs set priorities
Chairs of the Senate Education Committee and House Education and Career Readiness Committee shared their plans for the short legislative session that will occur before the 132nd General Assembly comes to a close at the end of 2018.  READ MORE

AG sponsors 2018 Take Action scholarship contest
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine recently announced the start of the 10th annual Take Action Video Contest, which gives Ohio high school students a chance to win up to $2,500 in college scholarships.  To enter the contest, Ohio high school students in grades nine through 12 must produce and submit a 60-second video on one of three topics: the National Do Not Call Registry; dealing with illegal robocalls; or, using technology to stop unwanted calls.  The deadline to enter is Dec. 7.
Learn more at: https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/TakeActionContest

Report recommends increased funding for early childhood education
Groundwork Ohio’s Ohio Early Childhood Race& Rural Equity Report 2018 reveals that poverty is a key factor in determining academic outcomes and that students who start school behind for socioeconomic reasons stay behind.  READ MORE