Education
With criminal charges enhanced, colleges say zero tolerance is only way to stop hazing
Ohio’s public universities say they plan to keep students convicted of criminal hazing from being a part of any of their institutions. That’s one part of what they say will be the next steps after a law expanding criminal penalties for hazing was passed by the legislature in June. The law, and the pledges announced […]
New guidance for schools on COVID-19 won’t include mask mandate
The Ohio Department of Health said new COVID-19 guidance for schools as they plan for a new school year will include safety recommendations, but no mandate for mask-wearing, even for the unvaccinated. In a press call on Monday, Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, chief medical officer for the ODH, said guidelines would be released on the state’s […]
Latest increase in cases, hospitalizations has Ohio health officials pushing vaccines
Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff acknowledges that as the public face of the Ohio Department of Health he is repeating himself a lot these days. But the message is important enough to continue repeating in simple terms, ODH’s chief medical officer said Wednesday. “It really comes down to, are you vaccinated and safe or are you unvaccinated […]
With school vaccine mandates banned, lawmaker wants mask requirements outlawed, too
Ohio schools will soon be barred from mandating that students be vaccinated against COVID-19. A Republican state lawmaker wants to also prohibit schools from mandating students and others wear face masks. Senate Bill 209, introduced by state Sen. Andrew Brenner, R-Powell, is unlikely to impact school districts’ decisions for the fall, as lawmakers are on […]
University tries to beat the clock on COVID-19 vaccine mandate ban
Using the clock to its advantage before state legislation outlaws the practice, Cleveland State University said it will move forward with its requirement that all on-campus students seek vaccination against COVID-19 before returning this fall. House Bill 244, which Gov. Mike DeWine signed Wednesday, forbids public K-12 schools and colleges from requiring any vaccine without […]
State school board to ask AG for opinion on anti-racism resolution
In the weeks after the death of George Floyd spurred a nationwide movement against racism and police brutality, members of the Ohio Board of Education passed a resolution to acknowledge racial inequities and urge school officials to drive out racism in the education system. The state school board is now pushing back against the resolution […]
DeWine signs bill to temporarily ban school COVID-19 vaccine mandates
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed legislation Wednesday that could block schools from mandating vaccination against COVID-19 for the fall. In the dying moments of the final legislative session before a summer recess, lawmakers tacked the vaccine provision as an amendment onto an unrelated bill regarding educational opportunities for military children. The amendment: It passed on […]
State school board member asks Ohio supt.: ‘Are you paid by Bill Gates?’
During a recent state school board discussion of student vaccinations, a board member offered a question to the Ohio superintendent of public instruction. “I’m just wondering what kind of influence Bill Gates does have on you … “Are you paid by Bill Gates?” board member Diana Fessler asked Supt. Paolo DeMaria. The comments came during […]
State Board of Ed to consider allowing race theory discussion
Ohio’s State Board of Education is being asked to remove a “limitation on verbal public participation” on the topics of “critical race theory” and the “1619 project” at a meeting Tuesday. The term “critical race theory” has been used, typically by academics but more recently by conservatives, to discuss how supposedly race-neutral public policy can […]
Collin’s Law signed to prevent hazing tragedies
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed anti-hazing legislation into law on Tuesday, setting into motion what university leaders and parents of hazing victims call a change in culture. Collin’s Law was signed as parents of Ohio University student Collin Wiant and Bowling Green State University student Stone Foltz looked on, marking a significant achievement in preventing […]
Ohio Supreme Court to decide whether charter school head liable for treasurer’s action
The CEO of a now-closed community school awaits the Ohio Supreme Court’s decision as to whether he can be held liable for funds the fiscal officer was convicted of stealing. Robert Burns was the director of New City Community School from 2009, until the school closed in 2010. The fiscal officer during Burns’ tenure was […]
GOP furor over ‘critical race theory’ hits college campuses
Professors say the Republican crusade to root out “critical race theory” is taking a toll on college campuses around the nation — places where academic freedom is supposed to encourage thought, discussion and analysis. Much of the “critical race theory” uproar to date has centered on teaching in K-12 schools. But several high-profile incidents, combined […]