Monthly Archives: October 2010

Metro High School student shares powerful story at TEDxColumbus

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Columbus’ most recent locally-hosted Technology, Entertainment, and Design (TED) event, featured a graduate of The Metro School, one of the most innovative high schools in Franklin County. TED is a “small nonprofit devoted to ideas worth spreading,” and they hit it right on the money by spreading the vision of schools matched to students and designed to their long-term success.

Meagan Jones, a graduate of Metro – a mastery, early college, STEM school – shared the way her school leaders incorporated her artistic interests into their science-focused curriculum. Their flexibility and willingness to personalize the education made all the difference for Meagan who is now a student at Ohio State.

The focus on making education relevant to students – an approach mirrored in the Cristo Rey private school network – is clearly crucial. We applaud the relational, compelling schools across Ohio who make learning fun and show students how it applies to their interests and futures. Thank you, Meagan, for sharing your story with Columbus leaders!

P.S. As an early college high school student, Meagan was able to graduate high school with 47 credits – yes, nearly a year and half worth of college education. For free.

Waiting in Ohio

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Waiting for Superman, the education reform documentary that hits theaters in Ohio today, showcases five families that go through the process of signing their children up for a chance at a better education through a lottery for a private school scholarship or seat in a high quality charter school.

Shari Perkins, a mom in Columbus and SCO’s newest staff member, shares her reflections after seeing the film – and highlights how the dynamics shown in the film are alive and well in Ohio.

I loved the movie because I could relate to all the families involved. The families were putting their hopes in a lottery system that would very likely determine whether their child would become a high school dropout or a college graduate.

I went through the same emotions as those families did when it was time for my two sons to start school. Their home school was low-rated so I signed them up for a lottery to attend a higher-rated public school. Waiting to find out if they were accepted was nerve-wracking!

I was also desperate and anxious when it was time for them to go to middle school. I had applied for an EdChoice Scholarship for my youngest son, but his name was put on a waitlist. We were fortunate to be awarded a scholarship, but we didn’t find out until just two weeks before the new school year started.

It’s really unfortunate that parents have to go through this process, but we have to do what’s best for our kids. The film made it crystal clear that education needs to be re-designed around the kids, not the adults.

Why are we Waiting?

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Betsy Rafferty, a teacher at Bishop Hartley High School, attended last night’s Columbus premiere of the new education documentary Waiting for Superman. The documentary showcases the mechanisms of failure and incredible impact of outdated design and low expectations in our nation’s public schools – both urban and suburban.

Below, Betsy reflects on the film from her position as a teacher.

With a blend of personal anecdote, professional opinion, and clear explanation of the history and state of the education system, Waiting for Superman offers a fairly well-balanced documentary experience.

Those who have lived an experience of seeking equal access to education already know the personal stories will be engaging. As the documentary unfolds and we learn the hopes, dreams, and efforts of the individual students with whom we journey, we become emotionally invested in the lottery-based outcome of their educational paths. With this family lens, the documentary helps viewers identify with the urgency of the issue that affects students nationwide.

At the same time, the explanations of the education system – from charter and magnet schools to the history of the public school – were memorable and easy to follow. Those who came to the movie with a surface interest could leave with a fairly clear understanding of the hot-button issues in our current education system.

If the movie was meant to stir my emotions, the night was a success. I became interested, invested, frustrated, and inspired throughout the movie. The most frustrating aspects both relate to instincts that emerged when I was a young girl – instincts that tell me that now, as a teacher, every student is “my” student, and I will do everything within my power to secure what is best for my students. 

The other most frustrating aspect came from watching education professionals like Howard Fuller and Michelle Rhee discuss their inability to remove ineffective educators from their classrooms. When scores of children are not being educated by an educator to whom they have been entrusted, that professional should be removed and allowed to find a different career. I believe in myself and fellow educators enough to invite the request, demand, and support for high expectations of us as professionals and our ability to uphold our commitments. My job is not my “right,” but my opportunity and responsibility.

Between the personal accounts, professional opinions, and clear explanations, Waiting for Superman does a great job of illustrating the system, which is, in fact, broken. So, what will we do, if this is to be a movie that not only stirs passion and inspires us to pledge, promise, and think but also to mend the system?

 It can only be fixed with MAGIC: Making A Greater Individual Commitment. Your MAGIC may be different than my MAGIC, but it must be done.

  • As an individual learner: Educate yourself on the issues and spread the word. Talk to friends, teachers, and legislators. Let them know you want strong options for our students, including support for schools and an increase in EdChoice vouchers (to avoid our own Ohio voucher lottery). Good places to start your education include: School Choice Ohio, Democrats for Education Reform, and the Black Alliance for Educational Options.
  • As a teacher: Continue to give your best and take advantage of helpful resources while meeting your students’ needs. One of the hot books to helping teachers prepare ALL students for college: Teach Like a Champion. 
  • As a financial donor: You can purchase books or school supplies for a classroom or contribute to a scholarship fund to help get kids into successful schools that can serve them. In Ohio, check the Northwest Ohio Scholarship Fund, Parents Advancing Choice in Education, and Children’s Scholarship Fund of Greater Cincinnati
  • As a time donor: volunteer at a local school and mentor a student. Mentoring makes a huge difference.
  • If you’re not sure: comment on this blog or contact School Choice Ohio. We’ll brainstorm together. Your MAGIC is important to the mission of educating our kids, and your passion is only as powerful as the MAGIC it inspires.

(Links added by SCO)

One stop for diploma and degree

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Do you know a student interested in jumpstarting his or her college experience? Or someone who wants to save a lot of money by completing college graduation requirements while still in high school?

We recently told you about a new College Jumpstart brochure we published in partnership with KidsOhio and the Columbus Urban League. Since then, people across the state have called to request several thousand copies, and we have prepared a Spanish-language version.

This blog entry spotlights one of the programs described in the brochure.

Program Spotlight: Early College High Schools

“The opportunity to receive two years of college credits while in high school is spectacular. I never expected to have this chance.”  – Jesse Kelly

Early College High Schools offer a challenging program that combines high school with the first two years of college. Students who graduate from an early college high school can earn a high school diploma AND a two-year college degree at the same time. As with all the college jumpstart options, these high schools are tuition free.

This is a great opportunity that can make that frustrating transition from high school to college much easier. Students typically graduate from high school with their high school diploma and an associate degree, or 2 years credit toward their 4-year bachelor degree.

Ohio has 10 Early College High Schools, each with its own unique focus and style.

The early college high schools are specifically designed to empower first-generation college goers, low-income youth, and other young people underrepresented in higher education.

For a national perspective, check out the Early College High School Initiative.

School Choice News

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Your weekly update of the latest state and national news regarding education reform and school choice options.

9/30/2010-10/6/2010

 Ohio News

Students eligible for vouchers
CantonRep.com-October 2, 2010
Students in 8 schools within the Canton City School district will be eligible for vouchers next year. This is causing the district to work hard to retain students by preventing more schools from being categorized as being in “academic emergency” or “academic watch”.

 Education in the Valley: The cost of EdChoice
Tribune Chronicle-October 3, 2010
There are 2,600 students in Warren City Schools and 8,352 in Youngstown City Schools eligible for the EdChoice voucher this year. Amy Cavin, a Warren parent, shares why she chose EdChoice and Warren and Youngstown officials focus on improving the quality of education within their school districts in order to retain students. 

 Students at 30 Northeast Ohio schools eligible for state-funded vouchers
The Plain Dealer- October 6, 2010
This year more than 1,700 students in Akron, East Cleveland, Euclid, Lorain, Maple Heights and Warrensville Heights were given vouchers to attend private schools. Next year, students in 30 Northeastern Ohio schools will be eligible for the voucher program based on the schools’ low rankings. School Choice Ohio shares that the cap on the number of scholarships needs to be raised.

 National News

What’s Ahead for D.C. Schools?
NBC Washington- October 1, 2010
D.C. was recently awarded $75 million from the federal Race to the Top program in which Mayor Gray plans to focus on early childhood education and continued support for charter schools.

 Wake Up! We Know How to Fix Our Schools
The Huffington Post- October 4, 2010
The United States pays more per student than any other industrialized nation, yet is behind in high school and college graduation rates compared to those nations. John Legend – a musician who is involved with a charter school in Harlem – argues that public schools have a lot to learn from the successes of charter schools and calls for a no-excuses approach to educational excellence for all kids.

 ‘Waiting for Supermand’ sheds light on education crisis
News10/KXTV- October 6, 2010 
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson watched and discussed the film “Waiting for Superman” on October 5th in Sacramento. The country’s high drop-out rate and need for all students to have access to quality education were among topic discussed.

Advance your way to college

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Do you know a student interested in jumpstarting his or her college experience? Or someone who wants to save a lot of money by completing college graduation requirements while still in high school? 

We recently told you about a new College Jumpstart brochure we published in partnership with KidsOhio and the Columbus Urban League. Since then, people across Ohio have called to request several thousand copies, and we have prepared a Spanish-language version.

This blog entry spotlights one of the programs described in the brochure.

Program Spotlight: Advanced Placement Courses

“The Advanced Placement courses I took saved me and my family time and money. By earning college credit in high school, I was able to graduate from Ohio State in three years instead of four.”  – David Haskell

Advanced Placement (AP) is a program that offers high-level high school classes that can count for both high school and college credit. AP allows students to take advantage of upper-level courses in a field of interest which will make them a stronger student and a more competitive college applicant.

There are more than 30 possible courses, which cover a range of English, Science, Math, History, Art, and Technology subjects.

The Advanced Placement program gives students the chance to advance in college while they’re still in high school. After finishing an AP class, students take an AP exam. Public colleges in Ohio grant free college credit to students who earn a score of 3 or more of 5 possible points on the exam.

Even if you’re a home school student or your high school does not offer AP classes, students can still participate through independent study. More specifics are available through schools’ AP coordinator or AP Services.

“High Tech Highs” Across Ohio

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Do you know a student interested in jumpstarting his or her college experience? Or someone who wants to save a lot of money by completing college graduation requirements while still in high school?

 We recently told you about a new College Jumpstart brochure we published in partnership with KidsOhio and the Columbus Urban League. Since then, people across Ohio have called to request several thousand copies, and we have prepared a Spanish-language version.

 This blog entry spotlights one of the programs described in the brochure.

Program Spotlight: College Tech Prep

“If students can get a technical skill and combine that with a strong, related academic curriculum, they get the best of both worlds.”  - Jim Rarric, guidance counselor

Through College Tech Prep, high school students can earn up to two years of college education and professional training, before graduation – for free!

These specialized programs combine high school classes with college-level career courses. They allow students to work toward their high school diploma while simultaneously preparing them for high tech professional careers in exciting and cutting-edge fields.

Know anyone interested in interactive media, industrial engineering, graphic design, health technology, criminal science, biotechnology, construction, law, or entertainment? College Tech Prep is a great way to explore these careers without paying a cent. College-equivalent courses taught on the high school level jumpstart the certification process.

Students usually begin Tech Prep classes in 11th grade, and every College Tech Prep Program of Study links directly to a degree or certificate program at a partner college.

Participating students can gain valuable professional experience and training, earn both college and high school credit for graduation, and enter college at an advanced level after high school, all without spending a dime.

Contact your high school guidance counselor or info@scohio.org for more information about the Tech Prep programs in your area!

Free classes, free college, free credit

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Do you know a student interested in jumpstarting his or her college experience? Or someone who wants to save a lot of money by completing college graduation requirements while still in high school? 

We recently told you about a new College Jumpstart brochure we published in partnership with KidsOhio and the Columbus Urban League. Since then, people across Ohio have called to request several thousand copies, and we have prepared a Spanish-language version.

In this blog entry, we spotlight one of these programs:

Program Spotlight: Post Secondary Enrollment Options

“I attended a local community college during high school for a year. I am very thankful to have been able to use that year to really seek out my calling and not have to pay a penny for it.”  – Katie Webb

Through Ohio’s Post Secondary Enrollment Options Program (PSEOP), high school students can take classes at local colleges for both high school and college credit – for free.

This opportunity is great because it’s so flexible. Students can take as many or as few classes as they want, and they can take those classes during the day, in the evening, on the weekends, or even over the summer. The courses can be on-campus or online.

Anyone in public, private, or home school entering grades 9-12 can enroll, providing they have a 3.0 GPA or higher in the subject of the college course they want to take.

A student who applies in 8th grade and starts in 9th grade can earn college credit each year and potentially earn an associate’s degree or beyond by the time they graduate from high school. On the other hand, a high school senior might sign up and take just one college class to help with the transition to college.

PSEOP challenges students who want the college experience, and rewards them for their commitment in free tuition, free books and materials, and free credit.

85,000+ students now EdChoice eligible, but will there be enough space next year?

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Know someone who might be eligible for EdChoice? Tell them two things:

  • First – Here’s where they can find out if they’re eligible.
  • Second – If they want to be sure there are going to be enough scholarships, they need to join with others to speak up for a program expansion.

The Ohio Department of Education released the new list of public schools whose students are eligible for the EdChoice Scholarship. This year’s list, comprised of schools that have been in academic watch or academic emergency for two of the past three years, contains 199 school buildings.

Every child in Ohio should have the opportunity to receive a quality education. Unfortunately, with 85,000 students attending these chronically low-rated public schools, there is a serious question as to whether all young Ohioans have access to an educational environment that will prepare them for success in life.

The EdChoice Scholarship, now in its fifth year of operation, hit a threshold last spring: For the first time in its history, the number of scholarship applications exceeded the 14,000-student limit placed on it by state law.

We saw a waiting list of eligible applicants for the first time this year and, while everyone who wanted a scholarship eventually got one, many of those students did not know of their award until nearly the first day of school.

With the number of students using the scholarship nearly at the state cap of 14,000, it is a sure bet that, unless something changes, many families who want to use an EdChoice Scholarship to avoid the risk of falling behind at an underperforming public school will not be able to obtain one despite being eligible.

SCO is committed to promoting the changes necessary to provide scholarships to every student who needs another option. Staff and parent spokespeople are working in the major cities across Ohio to tell the story of school choice and show why the EdChoice program needs to be expanded. Want to join the fun?