Ohio's Education Shake-Up: Phonics vs. Old Methods

Ohio's higher education system is facing some changes. A recent state audit found that some big-name colleges, like Cleveland State, Ohio State, and Ohio University, are still teaching old-school reading methods. These methods have been proven not to work as well as the new "science of reading" approach, which focuses on phonics. Governor Mike DeWine believes these schools will fix the issue within a year to keep their state approval. Cleveland State University has already swapped out one textbook that didn't meet the new standards. But it's not just about reading methods. Ohio isn't the only state looking at big changes in education. Wisconsin and Pennsylvania are considering merging school districts to save money. Meanwhile, a study from a Washington, DC think tank suggests that states should also think about reducing racial and economic segregation when redrawing school district lines. This could help create more equal learning environments for all students. In other news, Ohio lawmakers are looking at a bill that would reward households and small businesses for using less electricity during peak times. This "demand response" idea could help ease the strain on the regional grid, which is feeling the pressure from data centers and other large users. However, some utilities have raised concerns about the billing changes included in the legislation.On the political front, State Appeals Court Judge Marilyn Zayas is running again for Ohio Supreme Court. She's hoping to unseat Republican Justice Dan Hawkins, who was elected in 2024. Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance is defending the Trump administration's economic record, blaming the current struggles on the previous administration. He's urging voters to give the White House more time to fix the "nightmare" they inherited. In other news, the U. S. House of Representatives passed a bill aimed at reducing wasteful federal spending on software licenses. The legislation, authored by U. S. Rep. Shontel Brown, would require federal agencies to assess their software licensing practices and create detailed inventories. This could save taxpayers up to $750 million annually. And in local news, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio is accepting applications for a commission seat currently held by Dennis Deters. The nominating council will pick four finalists for Governor Mike DeWine to choose from. It's still unclear if Deters will seek another five-year term. Lastly, the view from the Ohio Statehouse might look different soon. Columbus' Downtown Commission has approved plans for a 12-story mixed-use building, as part of a larger development plan by the Edwards Companies.