Container Top
Homes   Jobs   Cars   Shopping
Search

Events Calendar

EVENT SEARCH:

In This Section


Most Read Stories


Blogs:


Akron Law Café:
College Football is Un-American

The Heldenfiles:
Cheryl Holdridge, R.I.P.

Tribe Matters:
Shapiro puts Indians in position to win

Patrick McManamon:
ESPN clears up a key to tonight's game

Browns Bulletin:
Browns may interview ex-Broncos GM

Cleveland Browns:
Mangini takes command

Cleveland Cavaliers:
Gameblog: Cavs vs. Celtics

CavsHQ: A Fan's View:
The Countdown Begins - Cavs v. Celtics

Akron Zips:
Five things you should know about Miami

Varsity Letters:
Ignatius’ Kyle has busy offseason

Kent State Sports:
Volleyball players earn All-Academic honors

Car Chase:
January is auction time

See Jane Style:
Chicago Chic?

All Da King's Men:
Obama's Economic News Conference

Blog of Mass Destruction:
Why Israeli Leaders Terrorize Palestinians

HRLite House:
The Psychology Channel, Interesting Videos, Jobs in I-O, and Happy Birthday Elvis

Akron Gamer:
Games in '09: Resident Evil 5

Ohio Travels with Betty:
Does Ohio have an Andy Warhol Museum?

Sound Check:
Axl Rose speaks on Guns & Rose(s)

Let's Talk Real Estate:
Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 Extended

Talking with Ted

The governor stopped in Akron to discuss public schools. Dare Ohioans hope that he will deliver on his promise?

By one measure, Ted Strickland hardly broke new ground with his ''Governor's Conversation on Education'' at North High School on Wednesday evening. Governors have been talking for decades about improving public schools in Ohio. His predecessor, Bob Taft, famously launched a listening tour, even took notes, pleasing the many interest groups eager for an overhaul of the antiquated, inefficient and ineffective funding system.

Soon, the momentum faded, the funding problems largely unaddressed. Eleven years have passed since the Ohio Supreme Court declared the financing system unconstitutional, stressing the overreliance on local property taxes, ordering a complete makeover.

Will Strickland deliver more than words?

Ninety minutes of talk suggest the answer is no. Yet there was a serious purpose to the performance. This editorial page has applauded in the past the governor's grasp of the importance of theater in political life. In Akron and the 11 other cities scheduled for one of these conversations, the governor hopes to start generating interest, energy and consensus, the ingredients necessary to counter doubt and skepticism.

In that way, the Akron audience proved encouraging. Those participating plunged into the substance, starting with Conni Ramser, an intervention specialist with the Jackson schools in Stark County. She discussed a state testing regimen seemingly always in a state of revision, amounting to a moving target for schools. These forums aren't the perfect vehicle for discussion. They do provide for developing a visible connection between Strickland and those on the front lines of education, reinforcing the mandate of his election, his pledge to tackle school funding or amount to a ''failed governor.''

Strickland understands the difficulty of the job, and the importance of pulling together a coalition critical to sustaining the effort. That explains the governor adding to the size of the task, seeking now to do more than overhaul the funding system. He wants Ohioans to think boldly about reordering education for the decades ahead. A longer school day? A longer school year? A more personalized education for each student? A mentoring program for teachers along the lines of physicians?

All of that makes sense on its own. What the governor adds is that success in repairing school funding is more likely if Ohioans can see an accompanying advance in the quality of education. He has learned a thing or two since entering the office. He argues that it isn't enough to fix the funding system and then proceed with business as usual in the classroom.

Again, much high-minded talk has been uttered, and many rocky paths remain, interest groups defiant, even destructive. Yet here is a governor mobilizing his office in a vigorous way, seeking to rally its considerable power. The governor plans a second set of conversations in the fall specifically about funding. Yes, he may fail, ultimately. For now, Ohioans are right to consider: Maybe this time will be different.

By one measure, Ted Strickland hardly broke new ground with his ''Governor's Conversation on Education'' at North High School on Wednesday evening. Governors have been talking for decades about improving public schools in Ohio. His predecessor, Bob Taft, famously launched a listening tour, even took notes, pleasing the many interest groups eager for an overhaul of the antiquated, inefficient and ineffective funding system.

Get the full article here.


Story tools

Email  Email   Print  Print   Save  Save   Reprint  Reprint   Popular  Most Popular   Reprint  Subscribe

Share this story

AddThis Social Bookmark Button


















Most Commented Stories