Reforming Ohio’s Education System for the 21st Century?
Governor’s Education Reform Plan
The State of Ohio Education blog has an interesting post today on Governor Strickland’s efforts to drum up support for his “evidence-based” school funding plan. Apparently beginning last week, the Governor’s education policy assistant sent letters to local school board members asking for their support of the plan. A sample resolution of support for districts to sign and return accompanied the letter. This blog post, penned by a current State Board of Education member and a former State Board member, is worth a read for its take on the administration’s efforts to craft local support.
However, I find problems with the resolution itself, which says the plan is “student-centered, focusing on preparing students for the 21st Century.” It goes on to say that “the Governor is committed to expanding learning opportunities for all students.”
In reality, the Governor’s proposal would cut funding for all public charter schools by 20% and eSchool funding by 65%, potentially closing schools that 80,000 Ohio children attend. How does this expand learning opportunities for all students? It seems to me that this does the opposite, especially for many eSchool students who are not able to attend a traditional school. A student-centered plan that prepares students for the 21st Century should use 21st century tools, like the internet, to be truly student-centered–education does not have to be, nor should it be, one size fits all anymore.
