During the widespread stay at home orders, many families got an up-close and personal look at expectations for their children’s learning. In an article in Forbes, Rick Hess, director of education policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, observes that the COVID-19 crisis may have added clarity to the debate about school choice. The most…
The sudden shift to remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic raised challenges for some students. Still other students appear to do better online. An article in the NY Times suggests that going back to the classroom might not be the best option for some students. But one unexpected silver lining of the shutdown has…
As students return to school in China we have to wonder if this is a little glimpse into what we might see here in the United States.
In Ohio, school is out for the summer. But what will school look like next year? The superintendent of Dallas (TX) Independent School District is talking about how the district will likely need multiple plans for the upcoming school year. Hinojosa’s second plan involves continuing with the current state of learning, which is all through…
Several school districts and education organizations pushed U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to request waivers for major provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). In a report sent to Congress this week, Secretary DeVos did request minor easing of some administrative deadlines but refrained from gutting provisions that some complained were impossible…
Why do parents seek private school options? If you review the results of any parent survey you’ll likely find that parents list safety as their top reason why they chose to leave their local school district. Whether it’s threats of physical violence in school, overzealous discipline, or widespread bullying, parents often look for school settings where…
Ever since Ohio Gov. DeWine announced that schools would remain closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year we’ve wondered when/if schools will reopen. In Montana, schools are scheduled to reopen May 7. California Gov. Newsome has suggested that the upcoming school year could begin as soon as July. When should Ohio schools open?…
A popular Chinese proverb declares: “The journey to a thousand miles begins with one step.” The first stop on my trip to Toledo was to visit School Choice Ohio board member Ann Riddle. Ann is a bundle of energy. Her enthusiasm and advocacy on behalf of children is infectious. In just a few minutes I…
Personalized learning. Personalization. Student-centered learning. An alternative to one-size-fits-all education. What do these buzz words mean? The Aurora Institute (formerly the International Association for K-12 Online Learning or iNACOL) defines personalized learning as: “Tailoring learning for each student’s strengths, needs, and interests–including enabling student voice and choice in what, how, when and where they learn–to provide flexibility…
Ohio law requires that school districts provide transportation to eligible private and charter school students. It’s that transportation that helps families choose education options beyond the traditional district school assigned to their child. While transportation by districts is required, it’s not always provided in a student- or family-friendly way. For one Columbus mom, enough was…
