Quick Hits (1.10.13)

“Skirting” the law. Some Ohio charter schools are still open and operating, despite a state law mandating their closure, because they changed their name, according to a new report. (h/t StateImpact Ohio) (Policy Matters Ohio)

For a better ROI in higher ed. Indiana’s education commissioner, Teresa Lubbers, wants to improve the return on investment for college students by creating mentoring programs, improving remediation at the high school level, and helping students “key in on” careers sooner. (Indianapolis Star)

That wasn’t the end. Jorea Marple, the West Virginia state school chief who was abruptly fired in November, is suing the state. (Stateline/Pew Center on the States)

New blogging friends. Brookings’ Brown Center on Education launched a new blog this week, called “Chalkboard,” and Stacy Childress of the Gates Foundation is “Thinking Out Loud.”