LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor
Since 2004

Author: Loveland Magazine

Have you heard about the Loveland grass-roots movement – the opt-out/refusal movement?

Are you an “opt-outer”?

Have you heard about the grass-roots movement, the opt-out/refusal movement within the Loveland school district; parents who do not want their children to take the current round of standardized tests? They are opposed to “Common Core” and the pending PARCC, the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers test.

They say they will take advantage of their option to have their children sit-out the tests, and are encouraging others to do the same.

The “Fundamentals of Curriculum” blog explains the situation, background and poses some pros and cons of the testing (Read below).*

You might also find the Guest Opinion (Superintendent Hilliker talks about background of next generation of testing) published today, and on the District Web Site, by Chad Hilliker Loveland City School District Superintendent, interesting.

If you have an opinion, will be “OPTING-OUT” or NOT, please use the “Leave a Reply” section below this story to let other parents in the community know your thoughts. Parents and teachers alike are encouraged to opine.

What are our thoughts about Common Core and PARCC testing?

Will Common Core harm or help your child?

Will Common Core harm or help the Loveland School District?

Will the PARCC testing harm or help the Loveland School District?

Will “opting-out” your child help or harm her?

Will “opting-out” your child help or harm the District?

LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV video of Hilliker explaining State testing at his State of the Schools presentation

*The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) is a 23-state consortium working together to develop next-generation K-12 assessments in English and Mathematics. The 23 member states of PARCC collectively educate about 25 million public K-12 students in the United States. This assessment is to align with the Common Core State Standards that are being adopted by the majority of states in the U.S. with the goal of building pathways to college and career readiness for all students. As with every change, especially in the education field, there are pros and cons. Below is an overview of the pros and cons of the recently formed PARCC.

Pros

– Students will know if they are on track to graduate ready for college and careers

– Includes items across different levels of cognitive functioning

– Teachers will have regular results available to guide learning and instruction

– Provides the opportunity for participating states to come together and collectively move the field forward and break new ground in assessment design

– Parents will have clear and timely information about the progress of their children

– Has the ability to assess and measure higher-order skills such as critical thinking, communications, and problem solving

– It is a summative AND formative assessment

– Can be used as online digital libraries for sharing of instructional resources, professional development modules, student support materials, identification of effective practices, etc.

– States will be able to have valid results that are comparable across the member states consider that 44% of students change schools at least once between kindergarten and the end of third grade

– The nation’s education will be based on college- and career-ready, internationally benchmarked Common Core State Standards

– Better prepare students going to college in English and Math considering one-third of freshmen must take and pay for remedial courses in math and/or English at two- and four-year colleges before they can even begin their chosen course of study

– Can highlight where gaps may exist and how they can be addressed well before students enter college or the workforce

Cons

Fear of educators “teaching to the test”

Emphasis on informative texts in the Language Arts section and not enough emphasis on creative writing and literature

Public perception of just another “standardized test”

Financing- The two coalitions designing the tests won grants from the federal government to pay for the beginning of the process, but this funding won’t cover ongoing expenses related to the tests, like paying people to score answer sheets and the cost of new computers and expanded bandwidth

Use of individual student growth in determinations of teacher and principal effectiveness

Difficulty in a standardized test to truly reveal students’ knowledge, skills, AND understanding

Although there are included tests items across different levels of cognitive functioning, there is no reference to the assessment of students receiving Special Education services

The more complex, non-multiple choice questions will likely require a trained evaluator to score them

Difficulty in representing the full range of knowledge, skills and understanding encompassed in test objectives

February 18, 2015
Superintendent Hilliker talks about background of next generation of testing

This year the state of Ohio has made several changes to how districts will test students from grades 3-9

by Chad Hilliker
Loveland City School District Superintendent

Dear Tiger Family:

I had the opportunity to meet many community members and discuss one of my favorite topics: education. During the conversations it was evident we have a community that truly cares about our students and supports our school. Many of these discussions led to questions about the new testing requirements in Ohio. I wanted to begin by providing you with some background on these changes.

This year the state of Ohio has made several changes to how districts will test students from grades 3-9. While there are many names for these tests, such as PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers) assessments, AIR (American Institutes of Research), and end-of-course exams, they are all considered as the “Next Generation Assessments.”

As a school district we are obligated to implement requirements that have been passed by our Ohio lawmakers. We have been working for the past five years to prepare for the new standards being taught in math, language arts, science, and social studies. As the educational leader of this district, I can assure you our students are prepared to take the assessments as given this year.

Beginning last year, Loveland began using the MAP test as a way to inform our instruction and plan for student success. The skills required on the MAP test are similar to those required by the new state assessments. Students in the younger grades have been participating in brief typing tutorials. Additionally, the teachers have access to programs that mimic the technology tasks they will encounter within the format of the test.

With the implementation of these tests the district will be testing students more often than in the past. Historically we tested students in a two day time period. Now we will be testing students on eight separate days.

As an educator, I am concerned about the amount of days we will be testing. I believe that we need to be held accountable, but I also believe we could find a reduced-testing balance that allows us to maximize our instructional opportunity. I am working with legislators, state board members, and other administrators to try to create a system that does not take away from the instructional days. If you are concerned about the new testing, I encourage you to contact local representatives and state school board members. They are in a position to help.

I want to thank the many people I spoke with this week. I appreciate your concerns and the support for our district. We must remember that our district is not judged by the tests given by the state, but the quality of instruction our students receive. We have a great community, great teachers, and wonderful students who achieve great things each and every year. That will never change.

Dedicated to the future of our students,
Chad Hilliker
Loveland City School District Superintendent

February 18, 2015
What do you want to know about filing requirements for Loveland’s 1% Income Tax?
All residents must file a return even if no tax is owed

The City of Loveland income tax is a 1.0% earnings tax on persons who live or work in the City. A credit is given to residents who pay taxes to other municipalities. Residents who work in areas imposing less than a one percent earnings tax must pay the difference to Loveland. All residents must file a return even if no tax is owed.

Filing Your Local Income Tax Returns

The City of Loveland uses the Regional Income Tax Agency (RITA) to collect local income taxes. Residents and businesses can file their local income tax returns with RITA using the following methods:
- RITA eFile: Click here and click “My Account” to securely file your return through RITA’s website.
- Individual Paper Forms: Click to download and print the appropriate return form and mail to RITA at the address listed on the form.
- Business Paper Forms: Click to download and print the appropriate return form and mail to RITA at the address listed on the form.
The deadline to file your 2014 tax return is April 15, 2015.

Free Taxpayer Assistance

Residents and businesses may receive free taxpayer assistance by calling RITA at 1-800-860-7482. Customer service agents are available at the following times:
- Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- February 23, 2015 – April 15, 2015: Monday and Thursday evenings until 6:00 p.m.
- March 1, 2015 – April 15, 2015: Saturday mornings 9:00 a.m. to Noon
RITA is also hosting a taxpayer assistance day in the Cincinnati area on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at:

Mt. Healthy City Park – Community Room
1541 Hill Avenue
Mt. Healthy, OH 45231

Click here for other taxpayer assistance resources from RITA.

Not sure if you live in Loveland? Click here to view all streets that are in Loveland.

Estimated Taxes

Loveland Income Tax Code (Chapter 183, Section .07) requires individual taxpayers having estimated taxes due in excess of $100.00 to pay on a quarterly billing schedule. Noncompliance results in a penalty equal to 10% of the tax remaining due over $100.00 after the estimated payment deadline of January 31. To avoid assessment of such a penalty, the code provides three “safe harbor” options: 1) owe less than $100 when you file the annual return, 2) pay at least 100% of your previous year’s liability through employer withholding of Loveland tax or your work city tax (credit is limited to 1% of the wages taxed by such city), and/or direct payment of estimated taxes to Loveland or, 3) pay at least 90% of the current year’s liability through the same means as #2.

Extension Requests

Extension requests are due by April 15, even when no tax is due. Click here for the extension request form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Click here to visit RITA’s frequently asked questions page.

Downloads
- Tax Appeal Form (855)
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For local tax help
February 17, 2015
Loveland’s first significant snowfall of the winter

February 17, 2015
Loveland schools will be closed Tuesday

The Loveland City School District will be closed Tuesday, Feb. 17, due to weather conditions.

February 17, 2015
Little Miami Schools will be closed Tuesday

Little Miami Schools will be closed Tuesday

February 17, 2015
Download Loveland Income Tax forms for individuals and businesses

All Loveland residents must file a tax return

Filing Your 2014 Loveland Income Tax Returns

Loveland, Oh. – Income tax returns are due by April 15. The City of Loveland uses the Regional Income Tax Agency (RITA) to collect income tax returns and payments. The City of Loveland income tax is a 1.0% earnings tax on people who live or work in the City.

A credit is given to residents who pay taxes to other municipalities. Residents who work in areas imposing less than a one percent earnings tax must pay the difference to Loveland.

All residents must file a return even if no tax is owed and can use RITA’s free e-File system. Just click here and click on “MyAccount” to start today.

Residents and businesses can also download the paper returns to print and mail to RITA.

Individual Forms and Instructions

Business Forms and Instructions

For more information, visit RITA’s Loveland website.

February 17, 2015
SHERIFF DECLARES LEVEL 1 SNOW EMERGENCY in Hamilton County

“Immediately remove any vehicle(s) parked in a designated Snow Emergency Lane.”

Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Neil reports that a Level One (1) Snow Emergency has been declared for all of Hamilton County.

This Order will remain in effect until further notice.

Level One (1) means: Roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow.

Citizens of all municipalities, townships and unincorporated areas of Hamilton County should immediately remove any vehicle(s) parked in a designated Snow Emergency Lane.

February 16, 2015
Miami Twp Declares Level 2 snow emergency

Remove all vehicles from township roads within the next 2 hours

Miami Township – Clermont County declared a Level 2 Snow Emergency at 1230pm per Resolution 2014-48. Please remove all vehicles from township roads within the next 2 hours to assist with snow removal efforts.

The roads are hazardous. Residents should stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary. Vehicles are to be removed within two hours of the time of the declared snow emergency. For the safety of all drivers and township snow fighters – we greatly appreciate your assistance in getting vehicles off township roads.

February 16, 2015
Emergency Appeal for All Blood Types

Winter Storm to impact local blood supply

Hoxworth Blood Center, University of Cincinnati is continuing with an emergency appeal for all blood types, that was issued last week. All eligible individuals are being asked to donate blood immediately.

“The winter storm blanketing the Tri-State has cancelled blood drives today and will likely affect drives scheduled for tomorrow” reports Alecia Lipton, Hoxworth spokesperson. “We are asking that all eligible donors make an appointment to donate this week and encourage safety while driving on treacherous roads.”

All blood donors today thru Saturday will receive DOUBLE POINTS in the Premier Donor Club. These points can be redeemed for restaurant gift cards, movie tickets, t-shirts, etc.

Hoxworth operates eight Neighborhood Donor Centers in Anderson, Blue Ash, Downtown, Ft. Mitchell, Mason, Tri-County, Western Hills and the Hoxworth Center adjacent to University Hospital. Walk-ins are welcome, however appointments are encouraged. Call (513) 451-0910 or visit hoxworth.org.

February 16, 2015