Every two years, Ohio’s Governor proposes a state budget for the legislature to consider and change. The State budget is the largest statewide plan to delegate funding toward all of the public resources that benefit our communities. One of the biggest services the State budget supports is public K-12 education. After a brief extension of the June 30th deadline, the Ohio House and Senate finally passed a two-year state budget recently signed by Governor Mike DeWine. Several disputed measures on this bill concerned changes to public education that impact all public schools in Cleveland. This is an overview of what some of these measures were and how they might influence the future of public education in Cleveland.

The first outcome of the state budget is an increase in statewide school funding to $10.5 billion yearly. This increase comes after a decades-long dispute regarding the fairness of previous primarily property-tax-based funding methods, which left children in poorer neighborhoods at a disadvantage because they had less local revenue to contribute to their schools. This explanation is simplified, but generally, the all-around increase in state revenue will continue to level the playing field, giving schools more resources to improve their performance and ultimately the education our children receive.

The next addition to the budget that will affect education is an expansion of the private school voucher program, better known as EdChoice. The controversial EdChoice program is a statewide expansion of Cleveland’s 1996 school voucher program. It initially allowed students from public schools deemed “failing” by the state to attend participating private schools. This budget will expand it to be accessible to all families in Ohio below a certain household income. This provision will increase the funding of this program to $2 billion, and make it so that all families can apply for private school vouchers, not just ones below a certain income level. This expansion of the EdChoice voucher program will remove all income barriers. However, families with incomes over $135,000 for a family of four will receive a smaller stipend on a sliding scale. As well as EdChoice, Ohio has a voucher program for students with special needs, granting them scholarships to participating schools that may better meet their needs than a traditional public-school setting.

The EdChoice program remains highly controversial. Its theoretical purpose of giving low-income families expanded options is commendable, but it’s unclear whether its use in practice will serve this goal. Many advocates in the education field argue that simply giving more funding to public schools in the first place would ensure that all families have public access to quality education right in their neighborhood, and wouldn’t need to seek out alternatives. The expansion of the EdChoice program does not include additional oversight of the recipient private school either.  A larger concern for many is that while public schools are scored and rated based on their academic outcomes, there is no similar rating or scoring associated with the influx of public funds these schools will receive; leaving parents/caregivers without a clear path to making informed school decisions.

So, while there are competing opinions about the wins and losses on this year’s state budget, what is clear is that education is a highly salient issue, and we must keep it on the minds of politicians and all public decision-makers.

Although it was ultimately removed from the final version, SB 83 was included in one of the draft versions of the budget as it made its way through the legislative process. The “Enact Higher Education Act” would change what is able to be taught in higher education in both Cleveland and all public universities in Ohio. It would also ban cultural affinity groups within schools, as well as teachers’ unions in higher education, and make US history courses mandatory. This bill joins a plethora of largely right-wing attacks on “progressive” education, and while it would not have necessarily impacted public elementary and high schools, its passing would set an undeniable stance against certain facets of education, many of which honor minority students who already have challenges in these spaces. This provision was removed from the budget, but still awaits a vote in the Ohio House, and if it passes there, would be one step closer to going into effect. SB 83 aims to limit education and is not written with the best interests of students in mind. As parents, teachers, and advocates for education, it is important to stay informed on the progress of this bill and what it stands for.

If you’re looking for more information on how to decide on school choice for you or someone you know, you can visit the Cleveland Transformation Alliance’s website. Check out our School Finder Tool, an online search guide that matches families with their best school options based on their individual needs. Additionally, see the Family Cafe tab for archives of our latest events on pertinent issues. We have an upcoming Cafe on July 28th that will teach all new and returning families about public school options in Cleveland and how to navigate the numerous options. Join us at Hough Library to celebrate summer and start preparing for the fall with fun activities, food trucks, and the chance to connect with other families.

Lastly, I challenge everyone, whether you are a parent, student, or just a community member, to stay informed on current events affecting education in Ohio. Here at the Cleveland Transformation Alliance we believe in quality schools for all children, and our whole community plays a part in advocating for that.

Blog post written by Kendal Harris, CTA Summer 2023 Intern

Want to Learn More? Here’s a brief list of resources from local reporters and education advocates.
Ohio Budget 101 – Policy Matters Ohio
All About Ohio’s 2-Year Operating Budget – Ideastream Public Media
Ohio School Voucher Overview – Ohio Education Policy Institute
More About Ohio-s EdChoice Voucher Program – Cleveland.com
Ohio Education Budget – Ohio Capital Journal

With this past school year in our rearview mirrors, it is the perfect moment to reflect on our children’s experiences at school and consider their options for the future. For new families with children who will begin school in the fall, summer is an important opportunity to ensure they are prepared for this next step, and identifying options for the 2023-2024 school year may be a vital part of that. The school search process can quickly become overwhelming, so beginning now and equipping yourself with the right resources is extremely important. The Cleveland Transformation Alliance’s school finder tool allows families to find the best options for themselves based on individual needs. As well as adjusting for the kinds of programs and services your child needs, the tool provides you with schools’ progress and achievement levels based on data collected by the Ohio Department of Education. The tool streamlines what would usually be an intensive research process for parents to tackle. If a family prefers personalized support, they can also contact the CTA directly and connect to one of our school choice navigators, that can more closely assist you through the school selection and enrollment process.

As well as identifying the best school options, families should consider how they will prepare their kids to enter or return to the classroom. Summer is a time for fun and continued learning, and many experiences in our local communities can help supplement education. One place for this is the Cleveland Public Library. The library offers free programs for all ages, such as a Young Scholars Academy for kindergarten preparation and a test and career prep center for older students looking towards plans after high school. The Ohio Department of Education’s website offers readiness assessments for all grade levels, including early learners, if you want more concrete benchmarks. Aside from programs, there are more manageable day-to-day things that supplement your child’s learning. Emphasizing time spent reading, completing age-appropriate workbooks, and allowing opportunities for problem-solving are all simple ways to foster your child’s learning and curiosity through the summer. Lastly, the CTA recently hosted a Family Cafe on Kindergarten readiness. Our cafes offer peer-led discussions for families to learn from one another and ask questions, be sure to check our website for upcoming Cafes to engage with throughout the summer. We hope you all have a relaxing and fruitful summer full of learning opportunities, and the CTA is here to provide support as you prepare for the school year to come.

Blog by Kendal Harris, Summer 2023 CTA Intern

Kendal Harris is a rising third-year Morrill Scholar at The Ohio State University, dual majoring in Public Affairs and African American Studies. As a summer intern for the CTA, they are highly interested in building better futures and communities for underserved populations.

Use the QR Code to schedule time with a CTA Navigator

On Tuesday, May 9, 2023, after an extensive process that spanned over six months, the Cleveland Metropolitan School District Board and Mayor Justin M. Bibb announced the next District Superintendent/CEO, Dr. Warren Morgan.

As was shared in a letter to the community from CMSD Board Chair Anne Bingham on April 20th, Dr. Warren Morgan grew up on Chicago’s South Side and attended schools with demographics similar to CMSD. He worked for CMSD as Network Leader for the District’s Phase 2 Investment schools from July 2014 through August 2016. In his current role as the Chief Academic Officer for Indianapolis Public Schools, Dr. Morgan oversees the academic vision, strategy, and policies of the district. Previously Executive Director of an education nonprofit in St. Louis, Dr. Morgan was a White House Fellow under U.S. Presidents Obama and Trump. He earned an Ed.D. in Urban Educational Leadership from the University of Illinois-Chicago.

Cleveland Transformation Alliance Executive Director, Meghann Marnecheck, was on hand to welcome Dr. Morgan back to Cleveland. “We are excited to be a part of the ‘passing of the baton’ to the next CEO,” said Marnecheck. “The strength of The Cleveland Plan for Transforming Schools is evident in the interest from school leaders across the country to become the next CEO. Navigating this leadership transition will further show the strength of the Plan. We are eager to continue the work and progress that has already been made since 2012 when The Cleveland Plan was approved.”

Thank you to outgoing CEO Eric Gordon for his passion, dedication, and giving of himself to all Cleveland students. Dr. Morgan has big shoes to fill, but we are confident he will rise to the challenge.

Read more from Ideastream: Warren Morgan will be the next Cleveland schools CEO

Our New Website is Here!

Visit myCLEschool.org to see our new look and find your child’s best-fit school.

We have launched an all-new website at mycleschool.org. The updated site includes easier-to-navigate web pages and a refreshed School Finder Tool with the latest information from Ohio’s School Report Cards.

“This has been a lot of work, but we hope the result is a better, faster, more accurate, and more informative website,” said executive director Meghann Marnecheck. “We want families to be able to make informed school choices. We have more planned for the future, but I’m really excited about what we have already released.” Our new site will allow families to search by academic outcomes, neighborhood, or compare schools. If a family is at the beginning of their process, they can click the “start here” button to answer a questionnaire to help find schools matching the criteria they are interested in finding.

“I hope families visit the site to explore our new features,” said Marnecheck. “Our staff is here to help if a family needs extra support through the process. Give us a call at 216.592.2303 or complete our family referral form to get personalized assistance.” Also in the works is a refreshed School Quality Guide for 2023. The updated Guide will feel more like a magazine and provide families with a printed piece for notes and quick reference that will complement the website’s School Finder Tool. Watch for news about the release of the Guide and where to find it in the coming weeks.

Public schools in Cleveland have worked hard to overcome the stigma of a “failing grade” from the state’s annual school report card rating system. By assigning schools and districts a letter grade of A-F, the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) tried to give parents and caregivers information about the quality of their child’s school.

Unfortunately, many of the factors used to determine a school’s report card rating, such as standardized test scores, early literacy data, and graduation rates, tell us more about the income levels and barriers to success in a community than the quality of teaching and support available in its schools.

Updates to the state’s school rating system were approved last year, and the ODE released the new report cards for the 2021-22 school year in September. The new State Report Card uses stars instead of the traditional letter grades, hoping to give a more balanced perspective. Instead of a letter grade of “C,” schools that meet expectations receive 3 stars. Those that exceed expectations have a score of five stars.

In the past, CMSD has focused on the indicators that its schools are closing the achievement gap and student progress from one year to the next. Progress + gap closing = higher achievement. Before COVID-19, the district celebrated a drastic improvement in high school graduation rates and preschool enrollment, both very important measures of school achievement. Unfortunately, the impact of the pandemic undercut these successes and placed many students who already struggled further behind.

Key factors in understanding this year’s report card changes include:  

• No more letter grades.
• Schools and districts are now measured using a star rating system.

Schools can earn up to 5 stars in each of the following categories: 

• Gap Closing —  Reduction in educational gaps based on student subgroups such as racial identity and diverse learning needs
• Progress —  Growth students are making based on past performance
• Early Literacy —  Reading skills and growth for students in Kindergarten – 3rd grade
• Achievement — Measures student performance based on statewide benchmarks
• Graduation — Measure the % of students who graduate in 4 or 5 years

A sixth category, “college, career, workforce, and military readiness,” will be added for 2022-23. The new star system will be fully implemented over the next 2-3 years, and it will also include half-stars which was not possible in the prior grade letter system.

Image credit CMSD News Bureau

During a City Club Cleveland lunchtime gathering in the Renaissance Hotel’s grand ballroom on Wednesday, September 21, many of Cleveland’s most influential civic and educational leaders reached for their nicely pressed napkins, dabbing away tears as long-time Cleveland Metropolitan School District CEO Eric Gordon delivered his final State of the Schools address.

Gordon, who has served CMSD for over 15 years — 11 as CEO — recently announced his decision to resign at the end of the 2022-23 school year, continuing the new season of leadership across the city. “But I’m not planning to have a year of goodbyes,” he noted, making it clear there would be no slowing down during his final year of leadership.

Highlights of the “look back” over Gordon’s accomplishments included the recognition that when he was promoted into this role, CMSD was in a state of fiscal emergency and at risk of a state takeover, with a 56% graduation rate. The District has progressed to an 80% (pre-pandemic) graduation rate, an achievement made possible through the bold partnerships of the Cleveland Transformation Alliance and the Cleveland Plan for Transforming Schools.

With a solid 5-year financial forecast, Cleveland students will continue to benefit from college access through the innovative Say Yes Cleveland program, career readiness through the new Planning and Career Exploration, or PACE program, and a renewed commitment to our youngest learners through the PRE4CLE program. Cleveland is well-positioned as a leading urban school district in Ohio.

Borrowing from former President Barack Obama, Gordon compared good leadership to the synchronicity and collaboration of a relay race. “Winning a relay race requires far more than simply running. It requires that the entire relay team see the finish line and that each member is not only prepared for their run, but also for when and how the baton is passed.”

The time when that happens, when both runners are at full speed, is called the exchange zone. “CMSD has reached our exchange zone,” said Gordon. “The conditions of the District are such that, as we look intentionally ahead, it is clear that now is the precisely right time to carefully plan for a successful handoff to the next leader of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. It’s time to pass the baton.”

In addition to three standing ovations, Gordon’s speech inspired some meaningful questions and words of appreciation from students, parents, and community members. The CMSD Parent Ambassador program and student advocacy were two points of pride for Gordon. He repeatedly encouraged students to hold their new CEO accountable and to tell District leadership about the programs that are important to them.

The full recording is available here, with photographs and video.

Meghann Marnecheck, Cleveland Transformation Alliance executive director, shared, “It was bittersweet to know we were hearing CEO Eric Gordon’s final State of the Schools.  Many people, like me, walked away from today’s speech wanting to help ensure we sprint toward the baton exchange, empowered by his relay race analogy. CMSD is primed for even more progress. The Transformation Alliance is here to continue sharing information, data, and resources with Cleveland families” to continue Gordon’s work.

Like Marnecheck, many Clevelanders took to social media before, during and after the event with words of hopefulness and appreciation:

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When @EricGordon_CEO started as CEO of @CLEMetroSchools 12 years ago, it ranked last among large urban districts in Ohio. Today, it ranks first.

PEP and its CEO @habeebahgrimes were honored to be there today for your last #stateoftheschools & to cheer on a fellow kid champion. pic.twitter.com/gY0UNLCTq7

— Positive Education Program (@pepcleveland) September 21, 2022

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“Well done is better than well said” – @MayorBibb honoring @EricGordon_CEO with his mother’s words and a proclamation at State of the Schools @TheCityClub pic.twitter.com/gdMtDqSLLd

— Kirsten Ellenbogen (@kellenbogen) September 21, 2022

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PRE4CLE is deeply grateful to @EricGordon_CEO for his remarkable commitment to Cleveland’s children and his leadership of PRE4CLE as the co-chair of the Cleveland Early Childhood Compact during the past eight years. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/J3zxDaXNoA

— PRE4CLE (@PRE4CLE) September 13, 2022

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❤️ https://t.co/F1QJPNMFBH

— PRE4CLE (@PRE4CLE) September 21, 2022

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Well deserved standing ovation for @EricGordon_CEO as he delivers his final State of the Schools at @TheCityClub. Thanks for being a great superintendent, civic leader, and trusted partner. @GCPartnership pic.twitter.com/9boSSJawfg

— Baiju R. Shah (@Baiju_R_Shah) September 21, 2022

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CPL Trustee John Hairston and @feltonian with @EricGordon_CEO at #SOTS2022. pic.twitter.com/TcazLBPYa7

— Cleveland Public Library (@Cleveland_PL) September 21, 2022

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Alicia Ballard knows her priorities for her son’s education, so she did her homework before contacting Cleveland Transformation Alliance. After receiving a printed copy of the Cleveland School Quality Guide at a community event, Alicia marked the pages of schools she wanted to learn more about and then used a QR code to visit the MyCleSchool.org website. There she was able to review each school’s profile, taking screenshots of five schools she liked best.

Since Alicia works from 9 am – 5 pm, it was hard to follow up with each school directly, especially with limited staff availability during the summer. That’s when Carolyn, a CTA School Quality Navigator, stepped in to help. “It was really easy,” said Alicia, who called to set up an in-person meeting where she shared her questions about school rankings, third-grade reading guarantee, staff diversity, school size, and approach to discipline. Then Carolyn contacted each of the five schools directly and followed up with answers to all of Alicia’s questions.

With this information in hand, Alicia could narrow the list down to two schools she recently visited in person to make her decision. “I think top priority is diversity as far as teachers, school staff and students, classroom size and school size. Another important thing is extracurricular activities, clubs, and activities he can do to familiarize himself with kids and what interests him.”

Transportation was also a concern, as one of the schools is near her home, and he would need to ride the bus home from the other school. Ultimately, both of the CMSD schools checked all her parenting boxes, so the final decision came down to two factors: playground/outdoor play space and the lack of a dress code, which are her son’s top priorities as an active third-grader.

When asked about the process of working with a School Quality Navigator, Alicia feels she had a slight advantage as someone who works in community health outreach and knows how to navigate city systems. She feels confident, however, that having an advocate like Carolyn would benefit any family. She has already recommended the Navigator Program to her sister, whose twin daughters are just starting preschool with kindergarten right around the corner. “Carolyn was really easy to work with, and I think that would be true for anyone. Good communication is really important to me, and the communication was awesome,” said Alicia.

Cleveland Transformation Alliance is committed to helping every Cleveland family find the right fit school for their child. Students and families who need assistance choosing from the wide variety of high-quality public schools in Cleveland can click here to make an appointment with one of our school quality navigators and get started today. 

On Monday, June 13, 2022, Mayor Justin Bibb chaired his third Cleveland Transformation Alliance board meeting since taking office earlier this year. These meetings are always open to the public and family/community members are encouraged to attend. Click here for the full calendar of upcoming board meetings and events. 

Reflecting on a Difficult Year for Educators, Students, and Families

During the June meeting, the CTA board discussed the challenges faced and the progress made. In particular, Mayor Bibb referenced the extended impact of Covid-19 on education and the combined mental health and gun violence crises in Cleveland. Mayor Bibb reinforced his commitment to safety in our schools with a call to action for Cleveland’s educators and inner-ring school districts to join him in advocating for common sense gun laws that will combat the epidemic of gun violence in our communities.

Support for Common Sense Gun Reform

The group collectively recognized the efforts of Eric Gordon and the CMSD Board of Education in their resolution to ensure that Cleveland public schools remain gun-free, in spite of the passage of House Bill 99 which makes it easier for Ohio’s local school districts to arm teachers and staff. Gordon shared with local news station WKYC, “The Board of Education of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District believes that the presence of undertrained or improperly trained persons armed with firearms in our schools would create a dangerous environment in our schools, and threaten the lives and safety of students and staff.”

A New Website to Better Serve Cleveland Families

Another important resolution came as a result of a months-long effort from the board Communications and Engagement Committee, led by executive director Meghann Marnecheck. Marnecheck and the committee sought board approval to launch a redesign of the MyCleSchool.org website to improve the user experience of parents and families while also supporting CTA’s efforts to connect with underserved neighborhoods and communities.

Over the past year, a number of challenges made it difficult for families to access the MyCleSchool.org website and search/find information for their children’s best-fit school. Together with CTA staff, the committee determined the criteria for this investment and interviewed a variety of Northeast Ohio agencies.

Cleveland Parents & Families: Help Redesign MyCleSchool.org

Following the June 13 board approval of the website redesign project, Cleveland Transformation Alliance is now seeking parents and family members of Cleveland students to help reimagine the School Finder Tool, which is central to its mission of ensur easy and equitable access to high-quality public schools for every child in Cleveland.

If you or someone you know would be interested in getting involved with the redesign of the MyCleSchool.org website and/or the School Finder Tool, please contact us at info@clevelandta.org for more information.

In February, the Cleveland Transformation Alliance launched a video contest for high school students in Cleveland’s public high schools. Students attending any Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD), or charter high school were eligible to submit a video explaining why they loved their school.

“We felt that we needed to take a moment to lift the good happening in our public schools every day,” said Meghann Marnecheck, executive director of the Cleveland Transformation Alliance. “Our students, teachers, and families continue to navigate complicated and difficult times due to the pandemic. We wanted to offer an opportunity for students to thank their teachers and shine a light on all the positive that is occurring in our classrooms.”

In April, the Transformation Alliance announced the three top prize winners on their social media platforms. Over the last several days, they provided the prizes to the winners, including $500 scholarships sponsored by Calhoun Funeral Home for the first and second place winners.

The first-place winner also received an iPad provided by Z107.9, and the second-place winner received a prize package from the Conservancy for the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The third-place finisher received a $250 scholarship by Calhoun Funeral Home and a $250 Visa gift card furnished by the Cleveland Transformation Alliance. Complements of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, four student runners-up received a four-pack of tickets for admission to the museum. Beckham’s B&M BBQ restaurants also donated meal gift cards for
student winners.

“These students are amazing,” said Marnecheck. “The students we have awarded over the past
few days will attend Ohio University, Akron University, or will finish their high school careers in the fall. We could not be prouder of these students, and we hope that these prizes will help make their next academic step a little bit easier. We look forward to hosting the contest again and plan to focus on K-8 schools during the 2022-2023 school year.”

2nd Place Winner, Nathan Parish, John Marshall Civic & Business Leadership

3rd Place, Xavier Mims, Northeast Ohio College Preparatory School

At Cleveland Transformation Alliance, we know that high-quality schools for every child starts with dedicated teachers and staff who play many roles in their students’ lives.  After two+ years of pandemic learning, we are more grateful than ever for Cleveland teachers who go above and beyond to build connections and inspire curiosity in their students.

During National Teacher Appreciation Week (May 2-6, 2022) we noticed Cleveland schools celebrating their teachers and staff with everything from taco bars and food trucks to  pancake breakfasts, balloon bouquets, and handwritten notes of appreciation.

Below are a few of the ways families and school administrators showed their appreciation for the hardworking and dedicated teachers who serve Cleveland families. Our Editor’s Choice Award goes to Northeast Ohio College Preparatory for their tastefully creative “Nacho Average Teacher” bar.

And here are a few words of appreciation from administrators and families:

“We thank you, dear teachers and staff, for being so dedicated and so passionate about teaching/helping our explorers. We can never repay you for your remarkable contributions that you make daily to their growth and development.” — Campus International School 

“One final “thank you” as we wrap up Teacher Appreciation Week today! This week, we celebrated and thanked all of our educators for the amazing work they do with our scholars. Our teachers at Breakthrough maximize the learning environment, motivate our scholars, and help them thrive! We hope our teachers enjoyed the breakfast or lunch provided by the board members this week. Thank you!!!” — Breakthrough Schools

“So many fabulous teachers! We love Mrs. Fucile, Ms. Misizin, Ms. Arko, Mr. Manthy and Mr. Meagan. From fun math assignments to school day anecdotes in car line, these teachers hold up the sky so their students can reach for the stars ” — Near West Intergenerational School

“All the teachers at Constellation Schools: Eastside Arts Academy thanks for being amazing, trustworthy, caring, and passionate. The Goldsby family loves and appreciates you all!” — Constellation Schools 

Finally, we love the teacher appreciation videos shared last week by CMSD, like this one from the Cleveland School of the Arts string quartet: