What's New
Ohio needs to close the gap between expectations and school funding
Andrew Benson, Executive Director of Ohio Education Matters, outlines what he hopes to see in Governor Kasich's school funding model, set to be released on February 4, in KnowledgeWorks Foundation's World of Learning Blog.
"Ohio school districts seem to live in two worlds," he writes. "There is one world where ever higher standards and accountability from the state and federal governments – and employers and colleges – are demanding that all graduates be ready for college and careers. There is another world where the state calculates an amount of state aid to local school districts that, with local resources available, pays for educating children from kindergarten through 12th grade."
KnowledgeWorks and Ohio Education Matters Host Statewide Conference on Ohio Cradle to Career Initiatives
A panel discussion on October 4 in Columbus addressed ways Ohio P-16s are improving academic achievement amid budget challenges. Statewide education leaders and stakeholders gathered to examine how communities in Ohio can work together to improve student achievement from cradle to career. To follow the event on Twitter, use hashtag #OhioC2C. Check back soon to see video of the event.
Download the agenda for the Cradle to Career discussion
Download Ohio's Plan to Develop Local P-16 Councils
Read the full press release for this event
Innovative Cleveland School hosts Ohio Digital Task Force
The Ohio Digital Learning Task Force held its latest meeting Monday, December 12, at New Tech @ East Tech High in Cleveland.
The group toured the innovative school to learn how digital learning influences instruction as teachers successfully incorporate a digital platform in the classroom. The tour also showcased the evolving role of both the teacher and the student in a school with a 1:1 computer ratio.
Read more about the event and the strengths showcased by New Tech here.
Strive Partnership highlighted in national think tank report
Education Sector, an independent think tank, has released an in-depth report about the potential of community accountability and shared responsibility for long-range student outcomes. "Striving for Student Success: A Model of Shared Accountability" objectively examines the Strive Partnership of Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky and the accomplishments of its over 300 civic groups, businesses, non-profits, colleges, public agencies and philanthropic organizations.
The value of Community Learning Centers recognized by independent organization
Cincinnati Public Schools' use of Community Learning Centers are valuable, according a study conducted by Innovations in Community Research, an independent resource that evaluates the work of educational and nonprofit organizations. The Ohio Smart Schools report "Towards a New Model of Educational Governance for Ohio," released in the spring of 2011, discussed both the potential and best practices of Community Learning Centers throughout Ohio
Read the story about the study on Cincinnati.com
Download a PDF of ICR's report, "Community Learning Centers: year in Review 2010-2011"
Download the Ohio Smart Schools report "Towards a New Model of Educational Governance for Ohio"
Ohio Education Matters presented More for Their Money: Learning from Ohio School Districts that do More for Less on November 9, 2011 in Columbus. Some of Ohio’s best-in-class districts shared their experiences and practices of doing more for less in administration, transportation, food service and maintenance and operations.
View the event's keynote on Vimeo.
Ohio Education Matters releases policy analysis of National Report Card on digital learning
On the heels of the inaugural meeting of Ohio's Digital Learning Task Force, which is charged with expanding innovative education policy in state, KnowledgeWorks subsidiary Ohio Education Matters Ohio has released an analysis of Ohio’s performance on the first ever national report on digital learning.
The policy report, titled “Ohio’s Road to High Quality Digital Learning,” was released the day after the National Report Card on Digital Learning was announced by Digital Learning Now at the National Summit on Education reform in San Francisco. The National Report Card gave the state high marks for its work while challenging it to improve in other areas.
The report card grades each state based on its alignment with the 10 Elements of High Quality Digital Learning developed last fall, including access, personalized learning and quality choices.
The Digital Learning Now website highlighted Ohio’s achievement: "Ohio is leading the nation in transforming education for the digital age. This year, the legislation created a task force to identify ways to expand digital learning in the state. Watch for a bold reform agenda next legislative session."
Download "Ohio's Road to High-Quality Digital Learning"
Download Ohio's full report card
US Department of Education cites the Ohio Smart School Initiative, Ohio Education Matters and Strive as resources
The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Innovation has compiled information to help schools, school districts, and states increase their educational productivity while contending with current budgetary challenges. Studies conducted by Ohio Education Matters for the Ohio Smart Schools Initiative are cited as resources for increasing productivity under process improvements and pay and manage for results.
Strive is cited under New and Alternative Sources of Student Support and Funding.
Ohio Smart Schools reports and analysis:
Benchmarking Ohio’s School Districts identifies the districts that are getting more for their money in non-instructional spending than their peers. Schools and districts need guidance, flexibility, support and encouragement to make the right choices to reduce education spending and also keep improving student achievement.
News
Symmes Valley gets an "A" for resourcefulness
June 2, 2011
School administration costs per pupil hundreds lower than comparable districts
Milford recognized for food service efficiency
May 20, 2011
Lunch preparation costs $5 less per student than comparable districts
Felicity-Franklin recognized for transportation efficiency
May 18, 2011
Two-tiered bus system, relaible mechanic keep costs low
Brown County recognized
May 16, 2011
Rural districts maximize cost savings in transportation, food service and central administration
Mercer County districts recognized for efficiency
May 14, 2011
Five Mercer County schools recognized among Ohio's most efficient in non-instructional spending
Innovative southwestern Ohio teacher honored with Presidential Award
April 28, 2011
Clermont County gifted intervention specialist Erin Renee King receives Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
Ohio Smart Schools recognition extended
April 26, 2011
Salem City Schools board member notes benchmark status in central administration at board meeting.
Beacon-Journal: focus on non-instructional efficiencies
April 25, 2011
citing Ohio Smart Schools report, paper takes Governor to task, asks him not to drive down teacher salaries via collective-bargaining reform, agrees that non-instructional areas are where the savings are.
Ottawa-Glandorf saluted for efficiency
April 20, 2011
District attained top 5% efficiency and effectiveness in three different non-instructional areas.
Smart Schools report recognizes Ridgewood Local
April 19, 2011
District has very high efficiency in three areas of non-instructional spending: school administration, central-office administration, and food service.
Ohio Smart Schools recognition extended
April 26, 2011
Salem City Schools board member notes benchmark status in central administration at board meeting For more Ohio Education News ►