New job and new parental role leave big questions and worries about Ohio education

Ohioans must check back in on public education in order to benefit our next generation

Waiting by the mailbox

Ask the right questions It doesn’t take much to put a sleepy, hungry kid in a better mood or to show our children that we expect them to learn and do their best no matter how rich their school is. What’s really important is asking the right questions.

Worried about the economy? Fix the schools. What’s it going to take to get an entry-level job a decade from now?

Bill Wendling, executive director of the Ohio 8 Coalition The Ohio 8 Coalition brings together superintendents and teacher union presidents from the state’s largest urban districts in a “strategic alliance” to improve urban public education.

Susan Taylor, president of the Ohio Federation of Teachers

Don Plusquellic, Mayor of Akron

Marc Dann, Ohio Attorney General Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann made national news last year when he filed suit against some charter schools for failing to adequately educate children. Catalyst Ohio correspondent Scott Piepho spoke to Dann about his use of the office in the education arena.

Q&A: Tracy Stillwell

To learn, children in poverty need research, not platitudes What works in a classroom for students who show up damaged by the ugly by-products of poverty—sickness, deprivation, emotional and physical abuse, and sometimes neglect?

A good bet against bad policy Our founding editor finds satisfaction and frustration settling a wager.

What can Michael Jackson's legacy teach public education?

Sexual abuse is a warped rite of passage for too many urban girls Today, grade-school girls probably receive such vulgar propositions much more frequently. Females ages 12 to 24 are at the greatest risk for experiencing a rape or sexual assault, according to 2001 U.S. Department of Justice statistics.

Of motherhood, success and silence Motherhood is a beautiful thing—I have a mother, you know. But motherhood when one is ill-equipped or downright unfit emotionally, physically or psychologically is unfair to the child.

Response to story published in the August/September 2005 issue, “Last school reform agency closes, funders rethink future.” Catalyst Cleveland received this letter in response to a story we published in the August/September 2005 issue, “Last school reform agency closes, funders rethink future.”

More budget transparency needed Letters that Catalyst Cleveland received from readers prior to the Aug 2nd vote on $46 million school operating levy reflect readers concerns about school spending and other related tax issues.

More reporting needed on tax abatements Letters that Catalyst Cleveland received from readers prior to the Aug 2nd vote on $46 million school operating levy reflect readers concerns about school spending and other related tax issues.

Teacher takes issue with student portrayal of classroom Lincoln-West teacher Steven Brofman wrote a letter to Catalyst expressing his concern about a student's portrayal of his homeroom class.

Teacher sees ageism in ‘Brain Drain’ issue Dear Editor, I am insulted by the stereotyping and age-bias that is all too apparent in this issue of the Catalyst Cleveland.