The 236-page report by the local nonprofit organization that studies government and nonprofit groups had sweeping recommendations from increasing programs for honor students to increasing the availability of paper, pencils, and chalk to teachers. Low math and science scores on the Ohio proficiency tests were attributed to educators who were not trained to teach science. Because of the system's recent emphasis on reading and mathematics, 'there were not enough hours in the day,' for science, Olivia Simmons, CEG president, said. The district's buildings and grounds supervisor has brochures describing security systems, cameras, plastic keycards and metal detectors. Recent incidents of violence in schools have prompted many superintendents and school boards nationwide to see how they can make their students and teachers feel more safe.
Many schools have cameras aimed at entrances.
Some, such as Columbus and South-Western, have police officers patrolling hallways. That recommendation from a panel discussion at the Education Commission on the States' national conference in Denver marks the first time a nonpartisan, national body has called for using something other than the standardized tests. Distracted students and dense material are the curse of professors everywhere. But try keeping a classroom full of twentysomethings focused on the marketing merits of Morton salt while fighter planes roar off a flight deck overhead. And, oh yea, they're 7,000 miles a way.