BuckeyeBlog

Measuring Teacher Quality

Matthew Carr — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:24:55 +0000

The Brookings Institution has a new study out on identifying teacher effectiveness in the classroom. As we noted in our recent report on merit pay, and as has been noted by others, teacher quality is the single most important determinant of student success or failure that is within the control of schools. The Brookings study [...]

Does Ohio Need Stricter Booster Seat Laws?

Marc Kilmer — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:03:31 +0000

As reported by Gongwer($), Ohio is looking at strengthening its booster seat law to require older children to use these seats. Backers contend that “extensive empirical evidence” points to the need for more government regulation. But does it? For instance, Dr. William Cotton, medical director for the Primary Care Network and Nationwide Children’s Hospital contended that [...]

Help Solve Budget Problems by Reforming Medicaid

Marc Kilmer — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:17:57 +0000

The state is having severe budget problems. There is the potential for a $7.3 billion shortfall over the next two years. That’s a significant chunk of the state’s budget. With 27% of the state budget being devoted to Medicaid, and with that program growing rapidly, it’s time the state take a serious look at reforming [...]

Asbestos Reform in Ohio

David Owsiany — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 20:26:24 +0000

Several years ago, I wrote a commentary on the abuses of the asbestos liability system, the system’s negative impact on Ohio’s economy, and the need for reform. Shortly thereafter, the General Assembly enacted legislation reforming the asbestos liability system and the Ohio Supreme Court recently upheld that law, including its applicability to pending cases. As [...]

Reforming Ohio’s Unemployment Insurance System

Marc Kilmer — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:04:15 +0000

The Heartland Institute sent out an e-mail today on reforming Ohio’s unemployment system. I thought I’d post its fine recommendations here for those who are not on Heartland’s e-mail list: During a time of economic uncertainty, the prospect of unemployment is on the minds of many workers. Ohio’s unemployment fund is nearing insolvency due to the growing [...]

“If at first you don’t succeed…

Beth Lear — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 20:54:35 +0000

try, try again” to close Ohio’s public charter schools. That must be the motto of school choice opponents, but freedom continues to win the day. Disgraced former Attorney General Marc Dann tried to convince Ohio’s courts that public charter schools should be designated “public charitable trusts” so that he could put them out of business. Well, [...]

Bipartisan support for School Choice - But NOT in Ohio

Beth Lear — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 22:47:20 +0000

Today in Columbus a miracle occured: 2 Democrat State Representatives and 1 Republican Speaker of the House came together and agreed, wholeheartedly, that all American kids deserve school choice. The Ohio Coalition for Quality Education held a Legislative Discussion about ‘Improving Public Education through Choice and Accountability’ that included Speaker Jon Husted (R-OH) and two gentlemen [...]

The Last Billion

Matthew Carr — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:20:00 +0000

The Ohio State Board of Education has just released a report with its recommendations for reforming school funding. The bottom line, according to the Columbus Dispatch: The plan would establish a per-student base cost of providing an education, with additional money to meet the needs of poor youngsters, those with special needs, gifted students and those [...]

Be Careful What You Wish For

Beth Lear — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:57:28 +0000

Public charter schools have been under attack in Ohio since their creation in the ’90s. People and organizations who benefit from the status quo have worked overtime to either regulate or intimidate charters out of business. With the new anti-freedom, big government candidates that voters swept into office in Ohio and nationwide, expect the attacks [...]

Carr talks Education with Bob Connors

Beth Lear — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:48:20 +0000

The Buckeye Institute’s Education Policy Director, Matthew Carr, spoke with 610WTVN’s Bob Connors this morning about education issues. They discussed Matthew’s new report on Public Charter Schools, the Governor’s education agenda, the State School Board’s new funding plan and teachers’ unions. Listen for yourself.