CAPE Ohio and Renewing Public Education, Before It's Too Late

What Is CAPE Ohio?

As citizen advocates, they defend the concept of public education as envisioned by the nation’s founders. At the same time, they seek the transformation that will improve and advance learning so that all students thrive.

In this episode, we explore the issues facing our local school systems and why attempted reforms are failing. Ohio’s educational system has not been funded at the appropriate level, directed by the Ohio Supreme Court, for decades.

A free public education is a founding principle of the U.S., and the platform for our children to grow, excel, and succeed in a chosen career for decades. However, children spend too much of their class time studying for high-stakes state exams.

The questions surrounding our educational system are difficult, and the actions needed are critical.

Our guests are Dr. James Bishop, a retired educational administrator. He is the former Dean of Students Amherst College, former Director of Ohio State University’s Young Scholars Program, former interim President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of LeMoyne-Owen College, former Vice Provost for University Life at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Bishop received his BS degree from LeMoyne-Owen College and PhD in Chemistry from MIT.

And Dr. Margaret Kasten, who is a retired mathematics educator. She served as a high school mathematics teacher and an elementary mathematics supervisor and was a mathematics consultant at the Ohio Department of Education. She was a faculty member at Ohio State University, as well as Director of the Ohio Resource Center for Mathematics, Science and Reading. Her bachelor’s and master’s degrees are from the University of Missouri and her PhD is from The Ohio State University.

Dr. Bishop gives us an overview of the founding catalyst of CAPE Ohio. The members of the group are all educators in their previous careers.

The CAPE Ohio Vision statement discusses both the need for education to be adaptive, as well as the need for developing children as individuals. Dr. Kasten talks about a more comprehensive picture of this organization. It's purpose and what they hope to accomplish.

CAPE Ohio has 14 fundamental principles to guide school systems toward a new vision.

We review the basic changes CAPE Ohio addresses, such as why schools should not be viewed as a business, as well as education as a commodity.

The organization views schools as the place for children to grow their intellect and their potential, which will prepare them for their future. The background on these concepts are part of the 14 fundamental principles as well.

During this incredible year of pandemic disruption of our school programs, an outcry from many was to stop the assessment system, as children were doomed to failure. However, even before this pandemic CAPE Ohio believed that the assessment process was flawed. We talk about what assessments should look like.

Although funding is not CAPE Ohio's primary issue, it is a huge issue in Ohio.

For decades, Ohio’s legislative bodies have avoided the Supreme Court ruling on funding for our schools. CAPE Ohio addresses the issues of both equality of school programs across the state, but also equality of public school programs in comparison to charter school programs.

CAPE Ohio documents the many issues regarding the training and professional development of teachers and administrators, and the importance of continued learning/training. Both Dr. Bishop and Dr. Kasten provides a synopsis of what expectations we should have of educators. And what educators should be receiving from their school systems.

One item we cannot forget is the issue of accountability for the success of our children and the educational system. Parents want to be sure their children are learning, and taxpayers want to be sure the funding is properly utilized. What does CAPE Ohio suggest should happen to ensure such accountability exists?

We knew technology was an issue before the pandemic, but this crisis has brought the lack of technology and internet access in Ohio to the forefront. Particularly in our educational systems. CAPE Ohio not only embraces current needs, but also looks to technology for future change.

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Recorded in Studio C at 511 Studios. A production of Circle270Media Podcast Consultants.