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Make math a priority

Ohio lawmakers digesting the results of the latest National Center for Education Statistics report card are right to be scrambling for ideas. One pitched by state Sen. Andrew Brenner, R-Delaware, is nothing new, but very much worth considering. Senate Bill 19 would require school districts or individual schools to develop math achievement improvement plans if they don’t have at least 52% of students receive a proficient score in math comprehension, according to a report by the Ohio Capital Journal. It would also require math improvement and monitoring plans for individual students ...

Federal ID deadline nearing

It seems like a lifetime ago — back in 2005, as a response to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, Congress passed the Real ID Act. At the time, the idea was to have the program implemented by 2008, but opposition and other delays pushed the timeline. Most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic extended the deadline for individuals getting identification documents that satisfy Real ID Act standards. But now, the agreed-upon deadline is approaching rapidly. It is a mere three months away. Across the country, states are urging residents who have not already done so to collect the proper ...

Renew focus on education

Last week, at least one expert was disappointed by Ohio’s performance in the National Assessment of Educational Progress report card. Aaron Churchill, Ohio research director for the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, called the report — based on exams given biennially to fourth- and eighth-graders in math and reading — “disappointing.” “Mirroring national trends, Ohio’s reading scores continue to be on an alarming slide,” he said. “Results from math are more positive ... yet still remain well below pre-pandemic levels in eighth grade.” Reading proficiency rates have ...

ODOT hears Eastern Ohio

It is gratifying to know that state officials in Columbus are hearing the residents of Eastern Ohio and responding to our concerns. On Thursday, the Ohio Department of Transportation announced that reconstruction of the Blaine Hill Bridge will begin this year — that’s two years earlier than originally planned. The U.S. 40 bridge had been restricted in July due to structural concerns, then it was completely closed in August as a result of further deterioration and to motorists traveling the wrong way in the lanes that were open. At that point, ODOT anticipated that work would ...

Ensure eligibility to vote

As we catch our breath and settle in to the new normal of a political landscape changed by the November election, there is not much time before we must turn our attention to the May 2025 election in Ohio. Eligible voters must not sit this one out, believing the heavy lifting is done for a while. In fact, decisions that have a much greater chance of affecting our everyday lives will be made this spring — city councils, ballot issues affecting our schools … there is a lot on which we must weigh in. To that end, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has issued a reminder that the ...

Cheers & Jeers

CHEERS to the fact that the White House rescinded its order to freeze federal grants and loans. The order caused confusion and concern among agencies that rely on federal aid. JEERS to “fire season” — the time of year when hazards such as neglected space heaters tend to cause an increase in the number of structure fires that break out. CHEERS to Arc of Ohio for hosting a Cake Boss event that got families with intellectually challenged members out of their home and together for some fun. The social activity also tapped into their creative sides. JEERS to the ongoing shortage of ...