Don't Believe the Ohio GOP

The Republicans in the Ohio Senate are playing around with some of the wording on the budget. Even though it appears that they've restored some funding cuts, don't believe it for a second that Gov. Kasich will let it pass this way (see Dispatch).  It might be that some of the Republicans in the Ohio Senate and House are feeling some of the pressure from their constituents and have tried to restore some funding.  However, throwing a few extra bucks to some schools and making horrifying major cuts to the old, sick, and disabled in skilled nursing homes, won't save them.  Besides, Kasich will convince them to see things his way.

With word that the $8 billion dollar deficit never really existed, Kasich is trying to make cuts based on that number and his plans to destroy public education.  Have you wondered how it is possible that the owners of the largest charter schools in Ohio, White Hat Management, have become so wealthy from their charter schools that they can give boatloads of money to Republican candidates?  What the hell is going on with the money????

Here is a comparison between a public school district and a charter school in the same area.  Are the citizens getting their money's worth?

According to wediducan.com, part of the White Hat charter school organization in Ohio, the following school is part of their group:

Akron Life Skills

"Proficiency Test Results (Building)" for "Life Skills Center Of Akron"

Proficiency Test Results (Building) Test Grade Subject Metrics Proficient Pct 10th Grade Reading 50.0% Writing 64.5% Mathematics 50.0% Social Studies 58.8% Science 29.7% 11th Grade Reading 56.3% Writing 50.0% Mathematics 40.0% Social Studies 47.1% Science 43.8% 12th Grade Reading 67.9% Writing 60.7% Mathematics 44.8% Social Studies 55.2% Science 44.8%

Akron City Public Schools
"Proficiency Test Results (District)" for "Akron City"
Proficiency Test Results (District)

Grade...Subject...Dist. Prof. %.....State Prof.%

10th Grade Reading 74.2%...... 83.0% Writing 77.4%...... 84.1% Mathematics 69.4%...... 80.4% Social Studies 67.9%...... 79.6% Science 58.0%...... 73.0% 11th Grade Reading 87.2%...... 91.6% Writing 90.0%...... 93.2% Mathematics 82.8%...... 89.2% Social Studies 81.7%...... 88.7% Science 76.3%...... 85.1% 12th Grade Reading 92.8%...... 94.9% Writing 92.6%...... 95.3% Mathematics 88.1%...... 92.5% Social Studies 88.9%....... 92.7% Science 83.9%....... 90.0%

Compare Akron City Schools 12th Grade Proficiency Test Results and the Life Skills School in the same geographical area:

12th Grade (Public School)...Charter School.....State Average
Math.............88% Prof.................44.8% Prof..........92.5% Prof
Soc. Studies..88.9% Prof.............55.2% Prof...........92.7% Prof
Science.........83.9% Prof.............44.8% Prof............90.0% Prof

When I was in school, percentages as seen under the charter school column would be considered failures. Of course, this is only one public school district compared to one charter school in the same area, and it might not hold up everywhere.  Ohio taxpayers need to ask why we should send our tax money to poorly performing charter schools.  What are Kasich's motives in supporting failing charter schools?  What do you think?


In my very humble opinion, hiring less experienced teachers and college grads with temporary teaching certificates, paying them slightly above the minimum wage, providing less than stellar books/supplies/support, and removing the examples of highly qualified, certified, experienced teachers as mentors, will create school factories where excellence does not exist.  This is what Kasich and the Republicans want-----poorly educated citizens who watch their news channel and believe it is news and the truth.  Is that what you want for your children?