ERIC Number: ED598741
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2011
Pages: 62
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Two Steps Forward, One Step Back. Fordham Sponsorship Accountability Report, 2010-11
Thomas B. Fordham Foundation
The 2010 elections were good for Republicans in Ohio, who have traditionally supported the expansion of charter schools (and choice broadly). The authors were hopeful as lawmakers and the governor set about removing caps on charter schools, lifting the e-school moratorium, and suggesting other legislative changes that would improve charter quality and accountability. However, they were disheartened when during the budget cycle, the Ohio House proposed several changes that would have been insidious to the charter movement in the Buckeye State, such as: neutering governing boards and authorizers of their oversight responsibilities; exempting charter schools from compliance with most of the state's education laws and rules; and allowing operators to essentially run schools without an authorizing entity to hold them accountable. Luckily, the charter community in Ohio and nationally stood firmly against these proposals and was united in the need for better accountability and quality. This resulted in a rejection of the House's provisions as well as a new requirement holding charter authorizers accountable. The report describes these developments over the year, and also delineates how Fordham schools fared in terms of achievement, growth, and their contractual obligations. It provides achievement comparisons to other charters in Ohio's Urban 8 cities and their home district peer schools, as well as data on student demographics, AYP, and finances. And it outlines important history and context related to its six years as an authorizer: how its portfolio has changed in terms of school composition and performance, as well as its plans for the upcoming year in taking on two new schools. For the first time ever, Fordham is authorizing two rural schools (one of which is a high school -- also a first in its authorizing portfolio), and its positioned to take on other high-performing schools looking to expand.
Descriptors: Accountability, Position Papers, Charter Schools, Educational Improvement, Governance, Elementary Secondary Education, Academic Achievement, Technical Assistance, Leadership, Comparative Analysis, School Support, Profiles, Educational Finance, Educational Quality, Educational Indicators, Federal Programs, Reading Achievement, Mathematics Achievement, Educational Legislation, Federal Legislation, Educational Philosophy, Writing Achievement, Science Achievement, Social Studies, Annual Reports
Thomas B. Fordham Foundation & Institute. 1701 K Street NW Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20006. Tel: 202-223-5452; Fax: 202-223-9226; e-mail: thegadfly@fordhaminstitute.org; Web site: https://fordhaminstitute.org/
Publication Type: Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Thomas B. Fordham Foundation
Identifiers - Location: Ohio; Ohio (Dayton); Ohio (Cincinnati); Ohio (Columbus)
Identifiers - Laws, Policies, & Programs: No Child Left Behind Act 2001
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A