The orange bar shows how many schools have the grade currently, the blue bar shows the new grading system

If the new school evaluation system outlined in Senate Bill 316 is approved, most of Ohio’s school districts will be downgraded. In Montgomery County, under the current system nine public school districts are rated “Excellent” or “Excellent with Distinction.”

With the new system, only Oakwood will receive the top grade of “A.” All other Montgomery County schools that now post banners declaring that they are “Excellent,” or “Excellent With Distinction” will be graded “B.” And Vandalia Butler, which now is judged

…continue reading the article In Mont. County, All School Districts, Except Oakwood, Will Lose “Excellent” Rating — If SB-316 Is Adopted

The huge increase in productivity has created great wealth for the 1%, but, with the decimation of the unions, the U.S. has failed to create public policies that would find a way for the middle class and working class to have a fair share. This graph stops at 2006, but since then the gap has grown even larger.

Those who pay the fiddler call the tune and the tune we keep hearing again and again is that if only corporations had more freedom, less taxes, things would be better. And, we keep hearing that the main problem with our economy

…continue reading the article “Workers Face A Wage Deficit, Not A Skills Deficit” — Says Lawrence Mishel Of Economic Policy Institute

The political scene is full of phoney arguments about how to build prosperity. A realistic discussion of the future of the economy is needed and a good beginning point would be an agreement on some basic facts. Agreeing on the data provided in this little chart produced by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics would be a good start.

In 2010, 25.9% of U.S. jobs had a very low educational requirement — less than high school — and by 2020 the proportion of jobs with such a low educational requirement will be even more — 29.5%.  By 2020, 39.7% of jobs

…continue reading the article Let’s Reject Phoney Ideas About Prosperity And Start Discussing The Future Of The Working Class

Senate Bill 316, now being discussed in the Senate Education Committee, outlines a big change in the evaluation system of Ohio’s schools. If approved, by downgrading district evaluations, SB-316 will make many more communities eligible for charter schools and more students eligible to receive “Ed Choice” vouchers to attend private schools.

Currently, a student may receive a “voucher” to attend a private school if he or she is living in a district rated either “Academic Watch” or “Academic Emergency.” And, in these low scoring districts, charter schools may be started. Right now, 134

…continue reading the article SB-316 Will Increase Number Of Communities Eligible For Private School “Vouchers” And Charter Schoolsrrell fairchild

Former Dayton congressman Tony Hall was the featured speaker at Montgomery County Democrats annual “Frolic For Funds” fund raiser last Thursday, March 29. Hall said that in his work addressing world hunger, he had eight opportunities to meet Mother Teresa. He said the first time he met her, Mother Teresa explained her mission. Asking the congressman to stretch out his hand, she took his hand and counted these five words on his thumb and fingers: “For the least of these.”

Hall said he has always been proud to be a Democrat because Democrats care about the poor.

Hall said that he

…continue reading the article Tony Hall Tells Democrats To Remember Mother Teresa’s Words: “Do The Thing That Is In Front Of You”