School administrators have an advantage their students don’t: In effect, they grade some of the tests used to determine how well they are performing. Some of them are cheating, according to the Ohio Department of Education….

Last week the ODE revealed the Loveland school district, near Cincinnati, reported false data on student attendance, in an effort to improve its state “report card” appearance. Evidence of cheating on attendance numbers in the big Columbus and Toledo districts also has been found….

Where the evidence merits it, criminal charges should be filed. This is fraud, after all. And again, it is self-serving….

State funding should not be withheld — providing dishonest school administrators are rooted out and kicked out of the education profession.

State school officials should conduct a thorough investigation — including at least a spot check of district reports throughout the state.

The findings of that probe should be reported. Anyone involved should, at the very least, be fired and if intent to deceive is involved, criminal charges should be filed.

Students caught cheating on tests suffer consequences. So should education administrators.

The Marietta Times

 

Kasich’s plan may improve fiscal health, actual health

Ohio taxpayers barely afford the Medicaid program they have now, much less the vastly more expensive version envisioned under the national health care law.

Medicaid, serving about 2.2 million Buckeye State residents, eats up nearly one-third of the state budget each year.

Though federal funding also is received for it, Washington’s share is scheduled to decrease, possibly taking Ohio’s Medicaid cost up by as much as 43 percent.

Gov. John Kasich’s administration wants to reduce Medicaid spending, while at the same time improving the health of those who depend on the program.

A “health home” concept is envisioned and will be kicked off this fall in five counties….

The Kasich administration’s plan needs to be pursued to end the dual vicious cycles of burgeoning expenses that plague taxpayers and poor health that harms many low-income Ohioans.

The (Tiffin) Advertiser Tribune