Posts in the category Education Vouchers and Charter Schools

Spend & Spin!

Free Fallin — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:33:18 EDT

Payday Lenders Continue to Spend & Spin

The payday lobby seems to think that their opponents are being bankrolled by "special interests," apparently disregarding the fact that they are one big "special interest." In Arizona, the payday lenders have exceeded the $9 million mark in their efforts to overturn a pro-consumer bill in that state.

You can read an Article from the Arizona Star, here: http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/254016. The article suggests that the industry's opponents raise and spend next to nothing in comparison.

In Ohio, the payday lobby is outspending their opponents by incredible margins. The disparity in expenditures is easily evident just by looking at the millions of dollars spent on television ads by the payday lobby versus the unusual technique being utilized by the proponents of payday lending reform: YouTube.com! CNN Money and Forbes Magazine picked up an Associated Press story about the efforts to compete with a multi-million dollar lobby: http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/08/26/ap5360144.html.

From the article:

Up against a multimillion dollar ad campaign, defenders of Ohio's tough new payday lending law are turning to YouTube.com.

The Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio has created an online video that warns viewers not to be deceived by the payday lending industry, which is trying to repeal the law.

You can view the YouTube video, here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDoeXujagE4

Despite enumerable examples of evidence that the payday lobby is working diligently to deceive voters, the industry continues to throw up smoke and mirrors trying to change the subject. The facts, however, remain the same. Payday lending is a debt trap and 391% interest is too high!

Don't be fooled by the payday lobby! 391% interest is not freedom! If you think 391% interest is too high, VOTE YES ON ISSUE 5!

http://www.voteyesonissue5.org

Ohio Charter Schools In Action: Harmony Community School

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 11:11:14 EDT

A Cincinnati-based charter school should repay the state more than $2.6 million for failing to properly document a significant amount of expenses, according to a state audit released Tuesday.

State Auditor Mary Taylor found that Harmony Community School should repay more than $2.1 million tied to the lack of documentation on instructional hours actually provided.

The audit also indicates that the school received more than $239,000 for students who weren't attending and $180,000 for students who failed residency or self-supporting requirements.

It further said more than $158,000 in federal grant funds were spent improperly.

In January of this year, then Attorney General Dann filed suit against Harmony Community School for academic, financial, ethical failures:

Citing almost 600 pages of evidence that chronicle abject academic failure, gross financial mismanagement, ethical lapses, and what amounts to consumer fraud, Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann today asked the Hamilton County Common Pleas Court to declare that Harmony Community School in Cincinnati is a failed charitable trust. Mr. Dann traveled to the Hamilton County Courthouse and personally filed the suit, the fourth his office has lodged against failing charter schools in the state.
In his pleadings the Attorney General alleges that Harmony has failed to accomplish it primary charitable purpose: educating its students, despite receiving 31.9 million taxpayer dollars since 1998 and asks the court to terminate Harmony’s charitable trust, to permanently enjoin Harmony and its governing authority from operating a community school, and to redirect the state funding Harmony has been wasting to public and charter schools that actually succeed in educating kids.
“During my time in office I have rarely encountered a more egregious abuse of the public trust or the public treasury than is documented in these pages,” Mr. Dann said while holding aloft the 600 pages of documents he had filed in support of the state’s case against Harmony. “An objective review of the evidence we filed today underscores the need for us to act and act now to free the students who are trapped in this failed institution.”

Payday Lending Industry Front Group Website Goes Live

Free Fallin — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:47:26 EDT

Industry Front Group Website Goes Live

The Community Financial Services Association's campaign to overturn House Bill 545 went live with a new website yesterday. Their website, Ohioans4financialfreedom, displays how out of touch they are with real Ohioans.

First, they say: "Protect 6,000 good-paying jobs that could be lost."

This is not accurate. House Bill 545 says absolutely nothing about closing any businesses or preventing the dispersion of payday loans. House Bill 545 simply caps interest rates and fees at 28% APR, protecting Ohio's consumers from predatory 391% APR interest. Payday lending stores have already started applying for licenses to continue operating under the new law from the Ohio Department of Commerce. If any stores close, it's because they choose to, not because they have to.

Second, they say: "Protect your financial freedom and private financial choices."

Payday lenders target low-income neighborhoods where it is easier for them to encourage people to walk through the door. Neon signs with "Get cash in minutes!" and "Easy cash quick," etc. Once a borrower is trapped in a cycle of payday loans, it becomes necessary for the consumer to keep taking out loans. This is not a choice! Usurious payday loans at 391% are bad for Ohioans and bad for the Ohio economy. Usury is not freedom!

Third, they say: "Protect your right to privacy about your personal finances."

This is a nice catch phrase that appeals to just about everyone! House Bill 545 includes a provision calling for the creation of a database that will let lenders know how many loans a person has taken out at a given time. This allows lenders to lend according to borrowers ability to repay - something neither predatory mortgage lenders nor payday lenders seem to care about.

And finally, once again, the industry uses their lame argument for why their referendum should be on the ballot: "Ohioans have a right to repeal bad laws."

Well, it bears repeating that House Bill 545 is one of the best consumer protection laws in the country and will help hundreds of thousands of Ohioans escape the debt trap. Ohioans do have a right to overturn bad laws, but this referendum effort is not being mounted by Ohioans, but by industry lobbyists and attorneys flown in on their corporate jets. Where are the citizens working on this referendum? Where are the consumers calling for 391% interest? They are nowhere to be found. Instead, the industry lobby CFSA is the sole donor to the effort to repeal House Bill 545. This is right in line with what they are doing in other states like Arizona where they've spent $8.7 million to overturn a consumer law and in Virginia where they succeeded in buying higher interest rates for a low, low price of $20 million.

The Ohio government should be PROTECTING consumers from predatory business practices that rely on borrowers getting trapped in a cycle of debt! Payday lending is bad for Ohio!

The Greatest Scandal?

Adam Rosen — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 23:07:45 EDT

An editorial in the Wall Street Journal today shows how the issue of education can be twisted to blame our public schools and then offer them no help at all:

The profound failure of inner-city public schools to teach children may be the nation's greatest scandal. The differences between the two Presidential candidates on this could hardly be more stark. John McCain is calling for alternatives to the system; Barack Obama wants the kids to stay within that system. We think the facts support Senator McCain.

The WSJ breaks it down to the school voucher system to be the "golden ticket" to educational success. The editorial goes on to praise school choice programs in D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program which is a federal initiative and Philly EdisonLearning a private company run effort. The numbers behind the success?

A recent Department of Education report found nearly 90% of participants in the D.C. program have higher reading scores than peers who didn't receive a scholarship...

The number of students performing at grade level or higher in reading at the schools managed by private providers increased by 6.1% overall compared to 3.3% in district-managed schools. In math, the results for Edison and other outside managers was 4.6% and 6.0%, respectively, compared to 3.1% in the district-run schools.

These figures are made to sound exemplary, but the gains are marginal at best. Then the Journal paints Obama and the Democratic Party as threatening to kill those "successful programs" at the bequest of "uniformed teachers unions." To top it off, the editorial points out the fact that the Obama's send their kids to expensive private schools, not willing to wait for fixes to public education.

Not only is the articles evidence shortsighted (kids respond well to good schools that are safe and have excellent resources) but it is out of touch with reality. The issue of improving public education cannot afford to be sidestepped. The Democratic Party is in favor of increased federal funding, improved teacher salaries and more early childhood education, where the real differences are made in closing the achievement gap. While vouchers and school choice systems can help with certain students, its not a magical solution, and its most certainly in need of standards reform and better accountability standards (even the Ohio Grantmakers Forum, a large school-choice support agrees on pg 37-42 in "Education for Ohio's Future"). The WSJ is missing the point on the debate about public education... there is no one size fits all solution and shallow observations about Obama's children prevents the real issues from being discussed.

Ohio Green Party Member Dennis Spisak Files For Congress

User from Struthers, OH — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:15:48 EDT

Ohio Green Party Member Dennis Spisak Files For Congress

July 14, 2008

Lisbon, Ohio- Ohio Green Party Member Dennis Spisak filed as as write-in candidate for Congress today at the Columbiana County Board of Elections. Spisak will run as a write-in candidate for Ohio's 6th Congressional District.

" I am running for Congress because I believe we must send a Progressive Liberal to Congress since we already have two conservative candidates in the race, Democratic Incumbent Charlie Wilson and Republican Rich Stobbs. It's time we give the voters of the 6th district a choice between conservative values which have failed this country over the past eight years and Progressive Liberal Values that will bring back Renewable Energy Jobs to the Ohio River Valley, Single-Payer Health Care for All, and clean and fair elections back to Ohio, " said Spisak.

" I am running for Congress because we must send a representative to Washington who will address the issues facing regular citizens, not Lobbyists and Corportation PACS. My campaign will focus on economic justice and nothing less than a renewal of America's sense of community and promise of equal opportunities for the poor, working, and middle class."

Spisak was one of the first Green Party Candidates to be elected in Ohio back in 2005 when he was elected to the Board of Education for the Struthers City Schools system. As a Board Member, he was able to help take the district out of state fiscal control and debt and return the system to financial health in 2 years with the help of his fellow board members.

Dennis Spisak's Platform:

LIVING WAGE JOBS: Organize opposition to NAFTRA trade policy. Protect our workers and unions.

EDUCATION: Fund and protect public education. Make college and technical education affordable. Help provide support, advocacy, and support to Ohio parents and care givers of children and adults with developmental disabilities and autism.

A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT: Promote clean renewable energy and create new renewable energy manufacturers and companies up and down the Ohio River. Protect Ohio's air and water. Improve Mass Transit. With gas over 4 dollars a gallon, busses, vans, and trains are the way many people will get to work-and that number is expected to grow over 40% in the next 10 years. Dennis Spisak will work with Congress on green solutions and less costs to riders and taxpayers.

CLEAN ELECTIONS: Eliminate fraudulent computer ballot counts and use verifiable paper ballots. Assure all Ohioans have an equal opportunity to vote and run for office.

HEALTH CARE FOR ALL OHIOANS: Pass Single-Payer Health Care Acts that cover every American for any necessary procedure their doctor orders without exclusions for pre-exisiting conditions.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For more information, contract Dennis Spisak at 330-755-0729 or 330-503-1407

I, Dennis Spisak, approve of the contents of this press release.

Mayor Coleman Responds To McCain's NAACP Speech

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:28:35 EDT

Sen. John McCain told the NAACP and some skeptical black voters Wednesday that he will expand education opportunities, partly through vouchers for low-income children to attend private school.

The likely Republican presidential nominee addressed the annual convention of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the nation's oldest civil rights organization.

Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman reponded to McCain's speech.

In a statement released by the Democratic National Committee, Columbus (Ohio) Mayor Michael Coleman said despite McCain’s warm words of support, his record tells a different story.

“What Sen. McCain did not say to the NAACP was that he has voted against funding for disadvantaged students at least 12 times in his career; he has voted four times against hiring high-quality teachers to high-needs schools; he has voted against increasing funds for dropout prevention; and he has voted repeatedly against increasing funds for Head Start,” Coleman said in the statement.

He also criticized McCain’s record on No Child Left Behind, saying McCain did not vote to adequately fund the program and that the senator’s education plan lacked specifics.

More on McCain's Civil Rights Record

The Ohio Graduation Test: d) None of the Above ?

Bret Thompson, ProgressOhio — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:04:22 EDT

Another idea in changing Ohio's schools- ditching the Ohio Graduation Test in favor of something else.

While Ohio might be positioning itself as a trend-setter in alternative assessments, the concept is hardly new. In the early 1990s, Vermont required all eighth-graders to complete a portfolio assessment in both English and math. Kentucky overhauled its testing program in 1998 and used an assessment that combined essays, multiple-choice questions and a writing portfolio.
"It was a very hot topic," said Ron Dietel, assistant director of the National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards and Student Testing at UCLA. "There was a general concern that standardized tests really didn't show what students know."

Senior Moments

Bret Thompson, ProgressOhio — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 09:26:29 EDT

Ohio's school funding system is still unconstitutional and many of our charter schools questionable. There are, however, definite positives to trying out new ideas in the classroom.

One concept getting attention is a Cleveland charter school that utilizes Alzheimer's patients as reading tutors.

"I was really down in the dumps about the whole thing. There was a time that I hated to go down to dinner because I just couldn't talk to people. It was awful."
For a while she stopped going to the dining hall. Two things lifted her from that despair: a support group for people dealing with memory loss and her volunteer work at the Cleveland school.
"The kids, you know, we always find a lot of things to laugh about," says Hardesty. "Just having kids around has always been very good for me, so it was good thing."

Building Solidarity in Northwest Rural Ohio

User from Columbus, OH — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 14:48:27 EDT

On May 28, 175 Ohioans representing the 20 coalition partners that make up the Rural Organizing Campaign met to discuss the social, economic, and political challenges facing rural Ohio and how we can work together to use the 2008 elections to address some of those problems. According to a flyer about the Rural Organizing Campaign:

"Nearly 2.6 million people live in rural Ohio and are affected by a variety of unique issues, such as energy costs, agricultural concerns, access to health care, and challenges in infrastructure development ... the drop-out rate for high school seniors is higher; residents are less likely to receive higher education; the poverty levels are higher; and they rely more on Social Security income."

Speakers emphasized the necessity of collaboration, sharing resources, keeping solidarity, and focusing on the issues as we move through this year to elect the right people and then hold them accountable to their constituents. Lloyd Mahaffey, UAW Director for Region 2B, said,

"I applaud this effort to coordinate our energies in the right direction ... We're probably going to agree on what the issues are because we all have those things in common, but we may not always agree on the solutions. But if we don't, so what? We'll come back tomorrow or the next day and work on something else that's going to benefit working people in the state of Ohio."

You can watch highlights of Mr. Mahaffey's and others' remarks below:

Cross-posted from http://labor2008.typepad.com/oh>

Ohio Ranks 40th in School Finance Equity, Thanks to DO-Nothing Republicans and Democrats!

User from Struthers, OH — Sun, 18 May 2008 21:53:42 EDT

OHIO RANKS 40TH IN SCHOOL FINANCE EQUITY

May 19, 2008

According to the New America Foundation: Federal Education Budget Project's analysis, Ohio ranks 40th of the 50 states in school finance equity. Ohio has an equity factor of 15.5 percent. That means that in the state of Ohio per pupil expenditures in school districts vary, on average, by 15.5 percent from the state average. The federal government's equity factor is a measure of how much per-pupil expenditures vary across districts within a given state. The U.S. Department of Education calculates the equity factor for each of the 50 states.

Why does Ohio rank 40th out of 50 states? It's because State Representatives and State Senators like Bob Hagan since 1991 have known that the state funding of education has been found unconstitutional yet they continue to sit and do nothing to fix the problem.

As the independent Green Party Candidate for State Representative of the 60th district, I would call on the state leaders to links funds to educational goals. Adequacy is the word used to describe WHAT is needed for a good education. It gets used a lot in school funding arguments, because what we're providing has a lot to do with what education will cost. It links schools' educational goals to the money or resources needed to actually meet those goals. Adequacy includes the costs for buildings, employees, equipment and other items schools need in order to meet their educational goals.

The way the current system runs isn't based on a real understanding of adequacy. It starts with the money legislators are willing to spend on schools. That money is then divided based on a complicated formula mostly based on local property tax. The current system doesn't link school spending to the real needs of students.

When Ohio's school funding system was ruled unconstitutional by the State Supreme Court, the justices said that all students in Ohio should have an equal chance at a fair education. Providing adequacy for all students is a fair method of funding schools and guarantees all students an opportunity for success by meeting their needs, no matter where they live or their life circumstances. It goes beyond "equity" by recognizing that some children face different challenges - poverty, limited English, or disabilities - and require extra support to meet educational goals.

Adequacy sets spending floors, not ceilings. It sets a funding base, ensures additional funds for students based on their special needs, and allows optional local spending. Adequacy doesn't mean "mediocre." It means providing all children an excellent education and an equal chance at successful academic achievement.

We cannot continue to expect high standards to be met while providing barely enough money to get by, and no promises of more money in the future. If education is going to remain a priority in Ohio, then adequacy is not a luxury. It's necessary. Adequacy is an investment in the state's future, and it's what Ohio students deserve.

Equity is about making sure that everyone has similar opportunities--making sure that every child has a chance. Some people think that equity means we have to take money away from good schools to balance it out. Nobody wants an equal chance for a lousy education. We need equity, but we also need adequacy. Focusing on adequacy means that we look at what ALL children need, and provide that. Equity is important, but it has to be based on what our kids really need.

Equity is about fairness. Adequacy is about enough. We need both.

Dennis Spisak-Independent Green Party Candidate for State Representative-60th District

Campaign site: Http://votespisak.tripod.com

Tomfoolery or Sly As a Fox?

Jane Schiff — Thu, 15 May 2008 00:12:41 EDT

December 22, 2006 from the Columbus Dispatch - "Next Attorney General Picks Ex - Lobbyist To Be His No.2"

http://columbusdispatch.com/live/contentbe/dispatch/2006/12/22/20061222-D5-02.html

I found the above link on Plunderbund. Tom Winters our acting Attorney General used to be a lobbyist for Tom Noe. Perhaps this was a form of trading up - just conjecturing - when Tom Winters came on board as First Assistant Attorney General via Mark Dann. One can't help but wonder if Tom Winters worked with Mark Dann to prosecute Tom Noe?

The Karmaic Wheel of This Piece Offering

Jane Schiff — Tue, 13 May 2008 16:01:05 EDT

Ohio's traditional Democrats and many Progressive Democrats can sleep well tonight and look in the mirror tomorrow. Walking on eggshells by doing the RIGHT -of center - thing." Three weeks ago Colbert made others chuckle when he referred to "Clinton Becames Political Hor'dourve." Three week old hor'dourves -that's getting a little gamey given that today is May 13, 2008. Time to refresh that poo - poo platter which is featuring Attorney General Mark Dann. There's enough to go around for John McCain's two campaign days in Columbus, Ohio May 14 - May 15, 2008. A Brand New Ohio Political Party was born today on Attorney General Mark Dann's back. This newly formed group's name is the "Repo - dthems." (the "d" is silent.) Just in time for John McCain. I hear the "Repo - dthems" have an official saying - "Please Brer Fox, whatever you do, please don't throw me into the briar patch."

Avoid Vigilante - Style Justice Through Due Process

Jane Schiff — Thu, 08 May 2008 15:34:09 EDT

This blog is about what could happen to Ohio citizens AND the entire U.S. if Mark Dann would cease to serve as Ohio's Attorney General. If the Ohio Civil Rights Commission is the designated agency to investigate allegations of work - related sexual harrassment for us commoners, that agency is the qualified entity to investigate the allegations against Mark Dann and his staff. Please consider the following carefully. The few remaining citizens who are still members of the declining middle class who are screaming for vigilante - style impeachment and/or getting Mark Dann to leave on his own, will ultimately be the losers as well as exploding numbers of people who meet the U.S. definition of Poverty.

The words "Extra Judicial Procedures","Extraordinary Rendition," the loss of our Habeas Corpus and Magna Carta expectations were enabled by multiple passages of The American Patriot Act.

The alledged victims of the alledged sexual harrassment are adults who can figure out on their own that The Ohio Civil Rights Commission is the agency available - should THEY wish to avail themselves of the legal system without a lynchmob mentality.

On April 3, 2008 several news stories broke centering on a serious fine imposed by The Ohio Elections Commission on David Brennan, a Charter school corporate heavy, known as The White Hat Managment. The fine imposed was to the tune of $5.2 million dollars. Jennifer Brunner AND Mark Dann AND The Ohio Election Commission have been credited with identifying the sleazy money problem in August of 2007. Mark Dann has taken on other well - heeled Charter schools that have devasted our public monies and our children. The above heavy, David Brennan can be found on the list of G.W. Bush campaign contributors at one of the following levels: "Bush Pioneers" or "Bush Rangers." Sorry I can't recall which category Brennan falls under. Please remember that fine can be appealed by David Brenner and his army of attorneys.

Parasitic subprime lenders that plunge our college kids into wallet crushing debt. Mark Dann was on them like a pit bull. I'm positive they wouldn't miss his fangs.

Pathological subprime lenders that are "partying hardily" in spirit in the rubble of our foreclosed homes. They also desire Mark Dann to be gone.

Payday Lenders as shown by their pathetic protests with their hapless victims supporting their antics - I guarantee there will be vile celebrations of the worst kind, should Mark Dann leave office or be put out of office.

The Health Alliance of Greater Cincinnati would probably want a national holiday in celebration of the day should Mark Dann leaving office or being put out of office. Mark Dann put in many hours of grueling work negotiating and legitimizing the departure of The Christ Hospital from the clutches of The Health Alliance of Greater Cincinnati.

Casinos - Mark Dann has had a critical role to play in nailing the criminals who lead "Coingate." Do we really think that the Native American casino owners who were burned financially by compadres of Bob Ney, one of the creators of The Help America Vote Act want to rehire Jack Abramhoff or his associates? What about the victims of Coingate who were devastated by the pillaging of The Bureau Of The Workers' Compensation Fund? If Mark Dann leaves for any reason - I'm fairly certain it's "open season" on us little people.

How many dedicated public servants are we prepared to give up and write off like Don Siegelman and Elliot Spitzer?

Just remember - Big Business doesn't put food on the table, doesn't provide basic innoculations and other medical care nor provides quality education for those of us struggling to find daily busfare. Big Business doesn't provide hand - counted Election Ballots.

Neither do Superdelegates, Delegates, The Green Party, The Democratic Party, The Republicans nor Independent Candidates.

Big Business guarantees that our Vice - President and President and others won't be spending their twilight years as residents of The Hague. Only Impeachment Proceedings for our Vice - President and our President will create an atmosphere of hope and TRUST that our global trading partners and others need so we can all prosper.

Not only do we need to retain Mark Dann, but we need to STEP BACK AND LET LADY JUSTICE DO WHAT SHE DOES BEST.

Mark Dann requires our appreciation and gratitude in order to assist us, the citizens of Ohio in our fight against hopelessness. Mark Dann, if you read this - please stay right where you are and continue your activism.

Jane Schiff,
May 8, 2008

TAYLOR DECLARES AKRON CHARTER SCHOOL'S BOOKS "UNAUDITABLE"

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:26:40 EDT

State Auditor Mary Taylor said Tuesday that an Akron charter school's financial records are "unauditable," a designation that requires the school's sponsor to provide documentation necessary to complete an audit.

The finding, involving Phoenix Village Academy-Primary 1, also means that its sponsor, Ashe Culture Center, Inc., cannot open any new schools until the situation is resolved.

Ms. Taylor's office said it has advised the Ohio Department of Education that key documents showing how tax funds were spent are missing, incomplete or inaccurate.

If financial records are not brought into an auditable condition within 90 days, state funding could cease until the situation is corrected.

Gongwer News Service Ohio (Sub. Req.)

Ohio Schools Depend More on Local Taxes as State Share Continues to Drop

User from Struthers, OH — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 08:24:48 EDT

Ohio Schools Depend More on Local Taxes As State Share Continues to Drop

April 24, 2008

The Cincinnati Enquirer reported earlier this month that Ohio School Districts must continue to rely on more local property taxes to operate on as the state share of funding education continues to drop, even under a Democratic Governor.

In the 2005-06 school year, more than half (50.4 percent) of all education revenue in Ohio came from local sources, chiefly property taxes, according to a U.S. Census report released this week. This is the third time in four years the local burden has increased in Ohio, while the state's share has shrunk four consecutive years, to 42.3 percent, the Cincinnati Enquirer said. Nationally, local revenues make up 44.4 percent of school budgets. States contribute an average of 46.6 percent. The Federal Government funds roughly 9% of school costs.

Jim Betts, a spokesman for the Campaign for Ohio's Future, a coalition that wants to change school funding, said it's proof that Ohio's school funding system, repeatedly ruled unconstitutional by the state Supreme Court, isn't getting better.

"It's significant when it becomes a trend," Betts said.

Critics of Ohio's school funding system blame education's dependence on local taxes for creating vast inequities among districts.

In addition, last month Governor Strickland announced that the Ohio Department of Education had to cut 50 million dollars out of their budget, most cuts concerning state money going to the County Educational Service Centers. As a board member for the Struthers City Schools, Last month I received the ESC bill for 2009 for ESC services for the Struthers City Schools.... last year the bill was $419,000...next year the bill is $553,000. So because state reps and state senators can't work together to fix state funding for schools, something mandated by the Ohio Supreme Court 10 years ago, the bills get pushed down to the local boards of education...which means we must pay the increase, cut costs in other services, or ask the local taxpayers to ante up with more money for local levies. Your school board is receiving the same fee increase this month as well.

That's why we need independent state representatives to speak for the people and quit playing political football regarding state funding of education. The 2 major parties will not fix this program before the November election. Last moth saw the lowest percentage of school levies passed in the state for the last couple of years.

Let's send a state representative to Columbus who will do what's right for the taxpayers and poor and working class in the valley, not the over 100 lobbyists and PACS who contributed to Bob Hagan's political campaign fund last year.

The Ohio Supreme Court ruled over 10 years ago that state funding of education in Ohio was unconstitutional. When will State Representatives like Bob Hagan ever get around to fixing the funding formula?

Dennis Spisak-Independent Green Party Candidate for State Representative-60th District

Campaign site: Http://votespisak.tripod.com

FEDERAL COURT RULING BLOCKS CHARTER SCHOOL LAWSUIT AGAINST STATE OFFICIALS OVER FUNDING CUTS

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 11:46:30 EDT

Two charter schools that operate in the Cleveland and Columbus school districts lost an attempt Friday to revive a federal lawsuit against Ohio education officials over a cut in state funding.

The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that charter schools are political subdivisions that cannot sue the state of which they are part under the U.S. Constitution.

Circuit Judge Damon Keith, writing for the unanimous three-judge appellate panel, pointed out that Ohio law establishes community schools as political subdivisions, and the Ohio Supreme Court recognized them as such in a 2006 opinion.

"After considering Ohio's statutory and case law, as well as the substantive control that Ohio exerts on its community schools, it is apparent that community schools are political subdivisions of the state," Judge Keith said.

He said Ohio created charter schools to give parents a choice, and to let educators create experimental programs in a deregulated setting.

"In conducting this experiment, however, Ohio has not relinquished its power to create, govern or even destroy community schools," Judge Keith said.

The 6th Circuit Courts Ruling (pdf)

Gongwer News Service Ohio (sub req)

White Hat Charter Schools' Tax-Exempt Status Questioned

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 22:10:40 EDT

IRS Asked to Examine 501(c)(3) Filings of For-Profit Charter Chains

By a letter sent to the IRS today, that federal agency is being asked to examine whether charter schools managed by the for-profit corporation White Hat Management, Inc. and its affiliates can be properly registered as 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entities under federal law.

The schools at issue are managed by for-profit entities operating under the name “White Hat” and typically use the brand names “Life Skills Centers” and “Hope Academies.” White Hat affiliates operate charter school chains in Ohio, Arizona and Florida. At least 25 of the Ohio schools claim on reports filed with the Ohio Auditor of State that they have been qualified as tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3). Others claim that they have applied for such status.

Several details documented in the letter to the IRS illustrate how White Hat-managed schools fail to qualify for tax-exempt status:

Cinci Federation of Teachers Responds to Enquirer Editorial

Lorraine Bieber — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 14:31:43 EST

See below for the Cincinnati Federation of Teachers' response regarding the Cincinnati Enquirer's editorial on the Cincinnati school levy. Please leave a comment and make your voice heard!

CFT Responds to Enquirer Editorial
Without ever having a dialog with the teachers of Cincinnati Public Schools, the Enquirer based its opposition to the March School Levy on teacher pay and district performance. The editorial staff asserted that high teacher salaries created the financial crisis of the district, making this an “unwinnable battle to control its budget.”
The reality of the situation is that an unconstitutional and unfair state funding system drives the financial crisis of every public school system in the state of Ohio, but especially urban districts like CPS. This funding system denies inflationary increases in revenues and forces every Ohio school district to beg for support from property owners every four years or face insolvency—making every school district appear that it cannot manage its money. Cincinnati Public Schools stretched our funding formula twice as far as other districts by reducing teachers, staff, and services to the point it can no longer do this without out permanent damage to the educational programs serving students.
Since 2004 nearly 1000 teaching positions (30% of all teachers) and 300 staff positions disappeared from our schools while only 15% of the students in the district moved to school district funded charter and voucher schools. The loss of these students will cost Cincinnati Public Schools and the tax-payers approximately $73 million next year in the form of tuition, transportation and other services; yet their academic performance will be no better and in most all cases far worse than if they stayed in CPS schools. The Enquirer demands performance from the public schools but turns a blind eye to the failures of the charter and voucher alternatives. The editorial board’s demand and concern for achievement and school performance rings rather hollow when viewed in this light.
Since the Enquirer attacked teacher pay as the real source of the district’s financial problems it is important to explore the issue. Urban education is among the most difficult and stressful of careers in our country. People who choose to teach here do so because of a commitment to children coming from a desire to make a difference in this world. Urban educators are a special breed. They work long hours—often 10 hours a day and sometimes 12 hours when there are special events and huge homework assignments to grade. Teachers also engage in continual professional development in order to maintain their various licenses and are now required to earn at least a Masters Degree. A salary of $60,000 (average CPS teacher salary) would insult similarly trained professionals in private industry. Nurses with a two-year Associates Degree earn more than a Masters level teacher in his or her first year in Cincinnati Public Schools. They will continue to earn more than teachers throughout their careers.
It is true that CPS teachers earn a little more than some of our suburban counter-parts, but it is also true that urban students present additional challenges. Further, CPS teachers are among the most highly trained teachers in the state of Ohio. CPS has more National Board Certified teachers than any school district in Ohio. Even though the Enquirer refuses to acknowledge it, CPS also has many performance pay structures. Through negotiations the Cincinnati Federation of Teachers and the district created one of the most sophisticated and successful lead teacher certification and teacher evaluation systems in the country. Along with National Board Certification and the new Teacher Advancement Program, they form the core of an innovative performance pay system. Until former Superintendent Frailey removed the incentive, CPS and CFT also developed and maintained a highly successful building incentive program that rewarded teachers and staffs of any building that met performance benchmarks. The teachers union does not stand in the way of performance innovations of this sort, and in fact, the union helped to create some of these structures as long as 20 years ago. CPS teachers are more rigorously evaluated than any teachers in our state and quite possibly in the nation. CFT and CPS have demonstrated a commitment to quality teaching that few other school districts in Ohio have matched and that accounts for why Cincinnati Public outperforms other urban districts in Ohio and is considered a national model.
For the Enquirer to roll out tired arguments about teachers and unions that don’t convey the reality of Cincinnati Public Schools is sloppy journalism, reflects an uninformed opinion, and undermines our community’s knowledge and understanding of our true progress. Perhaps if the Enquirer would take the time to engage in a dialog with teachers and their union about all of these issues our community would be better served.

Tim Kraus
President,
Cincinnati Federation of Teachers

Vote for Obama: He is Ready - The True Story

User from Boston, MA — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 09:20:45 EST

Dear Friends in Ohio and Texas:

Obama is ready to be the next President of the United States:

In the advertisement, a phone rings incessantly as video shows children asleep. "Your vote will decide who answers the call," a narrator says. "Whether it's someone who already knows the world's leaders, knows the military, someone tested and ready to lead in a dangerous world. It's 3 a.m. and your children are safe and asleep. Who do you want answering the phone?"

But the truth is that:

"It was almost 2 a.m. on October 11, 2002, and that's when we were called on to vote as to whether to authorize President Bush to invade Iraq,", Senator Durbin said in the interview on Sunday!

The candidates on education

User from Bedford, OH — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:55:43 EST

I'll admit it: I'm almost a single-issue voter. For me, where there are clear differences, public education tends to trump most other issues.

While voters always say that education is among their top concerns, they generally don't vote like it. I think that's because candidates on both the right and the left have had a tough time coming up with a message on education that really provides much traction with voters.

The fact is that Americans are highly conflicted on education. Culturally, we detest snobs and intellectuals. Many of the greatest figures of our national folklore are self-made women and men who rose despite their humble beginnings--not those who took advantage of a great education.

These days, only about 20% of households have children in school, and a study I read some years ago estimated that about 25% of parents have never entered their children's schools. We Americans say that education is key thing that we can do for our children, but we don't vote like it, and sometime I think that because we don't really believe it.

On education, here's where the candidates stand.

Righter: Clinton

Just how bad is the 2002 ESEA reauthorization, commonly--and obscenely--referred to by the Bush campaign slogan "No Child Left Behind"?

The answer to that question is best reserved for another column. Suffice it to say that I believe what's wrong with it cannot be fixed. It is profoundly anti-education and anti-child, substituting shallow testing skills for true learning and ignoring what we know is best for children. I believe that tomorrow's parents will hate learning and disrespect schools in ways we can only dimly imagine today. NCLB should have been strangled in its crib.

On NCLB, Clinton's issue statement on education says it simplest and best: "As president, she will . . . [e]nd the unfunded mandate known as No Child Left Behind."

Notice that she doesn't say she'll fund it, which admittedly would be better than what the present administration has done. She says she'll end it. One can only hope.

You can see parts of Clinton's speech at the NEA Annual Meeting by clicking here.

Surprisingly right: Huckabee

Give him credit. Mike Huckabee, whose issue statement on education proudly proclaims that he has "been a strong, consistent supporter of the rights of parents to home school their children, of creating more charter schools, and of public school choice," spoke to delegates to NEA's Representative Assembly in July. Delegates aren't used to seeing Republicans, because Republican candidates generally don't even seek dialogue with NEA. He was warmly received, as he should have been.

The distinction between "public school choice" and "school choice" couldn't be greater. "Public school choice" refers to the ability of parents to choose the public school best suited to their children's needs. "School choice" is simply a euphemism for school privatization, including school vouchers.

For my taste, Huckabee's a little too enthusiastic about charter schools: "As Governor, I fought hard for more charter schools, with their strong parental involvement and their unique ability to serve as laboratories for education reform, and for the rights of parents to home school their children." But his statements can coexist with public education: I'm a pretty rabid supporter of public education, but even I would agree that parents have the right to home-school their children. And many public educators were interested in charter schools back when the idea was to use them to try out new techniques, not to bust unions, teach wacky curricula, and resegregate students.

I'm most concerned about what Huckabee's statement doesn't say. I wish it condemned voucher schools, but it doesn't mention them. And I've heard that he says that he doesn't believe in the theory of evolution, but his Web site doesn't take a position on the movement to teach creationism along with evolution--a movement that in my mind is just nuts.

His statement does say, "I am proud that my three children attended public schools from K through twelve, as did my wife and I"--which is something even the Clintons can't say.

You can see parts of Huckabee's speech at the NEA Annual Meeting by clicking here.

Wrong: Obama

Barack Obama supports merit pay.

His issue statement on education says, "Obama will promote new and innovative ways to increase teacher pay that are developed with teachers, not imposed on them. Districts will be able to design programs that reward accomplished educators who serve as a mentor to new teachers with a salary increase. Districts can reward teachers who work in underserved places like rural areas and inner cities. " These are generally good ideas, although as usual federal education proposals ignore the overwhelming role that state and local funding play in public education.

But he saves the most troublesome item for last: "[I]f teachers consistently excel in the classroom, that work can be valued and rewarded as well." This is merit pay.

Teachers I know are divided on just how troublesome merit pay is, but virtually all have problems with it. At its worst, it sets up two tiers of teachers: those who are are favored and those who aren't. It rewards teachers who teach the best and brightest and punishes those who work with students who require the most intervention. And it turns schools, which ought to be learning communities in which educators work collegially to help improve the performance of all, into competitive enterprises in which anybody with a good idea is actually discouraged from sharing it.

You can see parts of Obama's speech at the NEA Annual Meeting by clicking here.

Wrongest: McCain

Like most Republican candidates, John McCain refused to appear at July's annual meeting of the National Education Association. So much for "straight talk."

John McCain's issue statement on education says that "Public education should be defined as one in which our public support for a child's education follows that child into the school the parent chooses." So despite all the talk about his being less conservative than many Republicans would like, he still supports the privatization movement, which would eventually, inexorably dismantle America's system of public schools.

You can see parts of McCain's speech at the NEA Annual Meeting by--oh, that's right, you can't: he stayed away.