Pete Bigelow · Midwest Memo: Education Reforms Stir Angst in Illinois and Ohio

July 6th, 2011


Three stories making news across the Midwest today:

1. Fearing reform, Ohio teachers retire. Efforts to reform education in Ohio are causing anxiety among the state’s teachers. Possible changes to the teachers’ pension system and the politicization of education are cited as reasons for an 11 percent increase in retirement applications. Our partner station Ideastream reports that even though changes may be months or years away, the impact is being felt now in classrooms.

2. Youngstown mayor gets a promotion. The White House will name Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams to a new post this afternoon, in which he’ll help communities affected by auto industry layoffs. Williams will serve as a liaison between the Labor Department and cities and states, according to The Plain Dealer, and coordinate aid for communities trying to recover from plant closings.

3. Illinois ends state’s last writing exam. In a cost-cutting move that saves Illinois $2.4 million, high school juniors will no longer be tested on writing skills in annual standardized tests administered each spring. Some educators worry that writing skills will now receive less emphasize compared to other areas, like reading and math, that are required under the No Child Left Behind law.

Category: Biztech, Communities, Government, Illinois, Ohio, SB5, Youngstown, education
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