No Child Left Behind still controversial

Aug. 21, 2011, Coshocton Tribune

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

In 2010, Newark High School received the bureaucratic equivalent of a grounding when report cards went out.

For the seventh consecutive year, the building received low grades in reading and math. For the seventh consecutive year, officials had to send letters out to parents explaining the rating and reminding them that their children could go elsewhere. School officials had to create a plan for improvement and do more professional development.

State report cards come out this week, and Newark High Principal Mark Fullen said his building for the first time will be up to par, getting a rating of “excellent” and meeting math and reading requirements.

He credits the school’s improvement in part to the accountability measures put in place by the No Child Left Behind Act, have rare aging disorder signed by former President George W. Bush 10 years ago.

The annual school report cards tell districts how they’re doing with test scores and graduation and attendance rates and gives them a final rating based on a number of indicators.

Schools, others work to find ways to help poor overcome obstacles

Aug. 12, 2011, Newark Advocate

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

NEWARK — A large portion of residents in Licking County can’t even think about saving for a down payment on a house or college tuition for their 10-year-old.

This is because they might not know how they’re going to feed their family tomorrow.

Those in poverty don’t just have less money than those in other economic classes. They speak a different language and live in a different culture. All of their actions involve living for the here and now because they never can be completely sure if they will survive to see next week.

Bridges Out of Poverty consultant Chris Ramsey didn’t need to explain this concept to the 20 people sitting around a conference room table Thursday.

PUCO staff opposes AEP proposed rate increase

Aug. 9, 2011, Newark Advocate

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

American Electric Power is asking too much of its customers in its proposed rate increase, staff members of a key state agency argued this past week.

In addition to the increase in base rates, AEP also is requesting for numerous riders, or extra charges.

Public Utilities Commission of Ohio staff came out against AEP’s proposal Thursday in a series of testimonies.

Next, the proposal will go before the full commission, which will issue a decision by the end of the year.

Fewer Ohioans enrolled in state’s private colleges

Aug. 9, 2011, Bucyrus Telegraph Forum

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

While enrollment at Ohio private colleges and universities stayed level and in some cases increased in the past decade, fewer of those students are from Ohio.

This is in part because of the 2009 elimination of the Student Choice Grant program, funded by the state, which gave students grant money to attend private schools, according to a group supporting these entities.

Last year, 61 percent of students entering Ohio’s private colleges were from the state. In 2004, that figure was at 70 percent, according to the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Ohio.

But that doesn’t mean enrollment is declining.