Here's the blockbuster report from WEWS into 16 Horizon Science Science Academies across Ohio that were funneling vast sums of money to Turkey
Outsourcing education to Turkey and low paid Turkish teachers, with so little oversight it has been able to go on for over a decade.
The budget bill (HB153) currently being debated in the Ohio General Assembly contains provisions that would lock in the near monopoly a few E-School operators enjoy in Ohio, and remove some of the last vestigates of accountability. What is happening ot students in Ohio's E-schools is shocking.
Education Sector, who identify themselves as an independent think tank that challenges conventional thinking in education policy, recently ran a multipart series on E-Schools in Ohio
The entire series is worth a read, but I want to draw your attention to one of their conclusions
I'll send a $25 Starbuck's gift card to the first commenter who can tell me how, from looking at the school's web site, they figured out who actually runs OHDELA, the Ohio Distance and Electronic Learning Academy.
Throughout our exploration of Ohio E-schools, we found numerous examples where it was almost impossible to figure out who actually governed and managed a school. When trying to determine whether another school was managed by a for-profit company, the school told us they were a state-run school, the Department of Education didn't know and referred us to the school's authorizer, who then referred us to an outside consultant who could finally give an answer. Many districts also appear to take a hands-off approach and can provide little information about the e-schools they sponsor. These relationships are new and lack clarity on both accountability, and utimately, who actually runs the school under the guise of these districts. For example, prior to enrollment, many parents would have no idea who was providing the curriculum for their district's e-school prior unless they knew to visit TRECA's web site.
These aren't isolated findings. Think Tank Innovation Ohio found similar problems, and worse.
Their whole report can be read here, or below.
There is something very seriously wrong with E-Schools in Ohio. These problems require immediate attention, both from the Auditor of State to ascertain where and how tax dollars are truly being spent, but also the Department of Education to determine why they have such abysmal academic performance.
Wow.
Our investigation also reveals that the U.S. Department of Labor is investigating one charter school located in Cleveland for its use of so-called "H1-B visas" issued by the U.S. government for "highly trained" employees to work in the United States.
An extensive review of financial audits uncovered that in one case, the cash was finding its way to Istanbul, Turkey, where nearly $600,000 is winding up paying for monthly rent for a charter school back in Dayton.
In another case, thousands of tax dollars were paid for immigration and legal fees that auditors found were illegal.
In some instances, auditors found cash went to individuals who were never employed at any of the schools.
A great SB5 rally last night, put together by UAPA, with former Governor Ted Strickland as the headline speaker. Also speaking were teacher Maureen Reedy, firefighter Chris Zimmer and Mark Drum from the FOP. Here's some pictures and a video of Gov. Strickland's speech
[flickr set=72157626733762636]
Sen. Peggy Lehner (R) is the first State Senator to respond substantively to our questions. Educators should take the opportunity to contact Sen. Lehner to discuss merit pay, as she appears open to constructive dialogue on that issue.
1. I support QUALITY in schools whether traditional public, community or private. If schools receive public dollars we have the right to demand that they provide a good education. I therefore support policies that hold schools accountable. I don't mind if new charters open up if I can have some assurances that they will be well run and can demonstrate effectiveness. If they fail to live up to those expectations they should be shut down. I hold traditional public schools to the same standards. Schools consistently in Academic Emergency should be reconstituted or shut down. I refuse to accept that some kids can't learn and therefore we should expect substandard results.
I do not support the charter provisions contained in the House version of the bill and will work aggressively to have them removed. For profit schools with little or no accountability are non starters in my book.
2. We know that the single most important factor in student achievement over which we have any control is the effectiveness of a teacher. ( We can't pick a students family). An ineffective teacher for one year can put a child behind several months...two or three in a row can be devastating. While I believe that 95% of teachers do their job very well unfortunately some of our most challenging students also are most likely to end up with the least effective teachers. This has to end. The seniority system allows inferior teachers to hang around far too long and robs the superintendent the ability to place teachers in the classrooms where they are most needed. It is not easy to evaluate teachers but frankly I wish teachers themselves would roll up their sleeves and help us figure out how to do it right. Several of my children are teachers. I grew up in a schoolhouse literally, as my mother was the headmistress and founder of a private school. I KNOW that you can tell a good teacher from a bad one...we just need to figure out the best way to assure we are using objective measurements. As I look for the best language to insert in the Senate I am seeking out the advice of educators, not my fellow legislators. Any teachers interested in helping with this critical challenge will be welcomed.
3. I am not at all happy about the cuts to education...nor am I happy about the cuts to nursing home, home health care, Help Me Grow, Mental health services, health care or any of the other items in this budget. However I also recognize that an $ 8 Billion budget deficit is monstrous. There simply is NO money. In order to fill this budget deficit through a tax increase we would need a 46% increase in income taxes or a three cent sales tax increase. Does anyone have the stomach for that?
I am desperately looking for some additional revenue and education will certainly be one of my priorities if I find any pots of gold but I am telling you this is REALLY tough.
Hope this helps...don't hesitate to contact me with any additional questions...and like I said I am always open to constructive input from teachers!
Sincerely,
Peggy
It has been repeated often by the Governor and Republican legislators that raising income taxes is not a solution to the budget problem Ohio faces, but instead, draconian cuts to education are the way forward. Consequently we face almost $3.1 billion in education cuts over the next 2 years as a result of this policy preference.
But how much of an impact do the 2005 income tax cuts have on take home pay? We thought it would be interesting to look at this question from a teachers perspective.
According to Ohio's Legislative Services Commision (LSC), the average teacher earned $54,656 in 2009, and about $47,500 in 2004, the year before the income tax cuts were phased in.
The Ohio Department of taxation has produced this handy guide to tax rates for each year since 2004. Let's see how much tax a teacher making average salaries in 2004 and 2009 would have paid to the state.
Comparing tax bills for average salaried teachers
| Average Teacher in 2004 | Average Teacher in 2009 | |
| Average Salary | $47,500 | $54,656 |
| Tax Forumla | $1,337.20 + 5.201% of excess over $40,000 | $1,112.50 + 4.327% of excess over $40,000 |
| Taxes Paid | $1,727.28 | $1,746.67 |
The difference between 2009 and 2004 being $19.39 per year, a nickel a day MORE today.
Republicans would have us believe that for a nickel a day MORE in tax, we have to gut public education, or Ohio would be too uncompetitive to survive. Draw your own conclusions. Perform your own calculations using your own salary and the tax tables to see your "savings".
For those wondering, or thinking it fairer, what tax would be paid on $54,656 if the tax code had not changed
| 2004 Tax Rates | 2009 Tax Rates | |
| Tax Forumla | $1,337.20 + 5.201% of excess over $40,000 | $1,112.50 + 4.327% of excess over $40,000 |
| Taxes Paid | $2099.46 | $1,746.67 |
Which equates to about a buck a day savings ($352.79 per year). A cup of cheap coffee a day.