Education
In annual report, community charter schools show growth
Community charter schools are still growing in the state of Ohio, but recent changes and future plans for statewide education funding aren’t necessarily supported by the schools. The schools are considered public schools in Ohio, which includes receiving a state report card grade, but they “operate independently of a traditional school district” and can be […]
Public school funding set for court battle in 2023
While the trial of former Ohio House speaker Larry Householder will hold the attention of many this year, the battle over public school funding will also be subject to court drama. Public school districts, some individual students in public schools, and the Ohio Coalition for Equity and Adequacy of School Funding, spent the last year […]
Education sees some funding boosts, some missed opportunities in 2022
Next year is sure to be a busy one when it comes to education in Ohio, with potential state agency overhauls and funding changes still on the agenda for the state legislature. The end of 2022 was capped by an 11th-hour push and ultimately failure for an attempted overhaul of the Ohio Department of Education […]
Ohio libraries to receive grant funds to support student learning
Ohio libraries are set to receive $5 million through the Ohio Department of Education for expanded learning and literacy efforts. The ODE is distributing federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds “to further the strategies of Future Forward Ohio,” a state program implemented “to help students recover from the impact of the COVID-19 […]
Ohio education overhaul falls short
The Ohio House did not agree to Senate amendments to a bill banning trans athletes from participating in youth sports based on their gender identity, leaving behind more than a thousand pages of state education overhauls loaded in at the last minute. House Bill 151, with language from Senate Bill 178 attached to it was […]
Resolution condemning LGBTQ anti-discrimination language passed by Ohio’s state Board of Education
A resolution that has no enforceable authority has been approved by Ohio’s State Board of Education, standing in opposition to proposed LGBTQ anti-discrimination rules not even a part of federal regulations yet. The state board heard several more hours of testimony against the resolution, which condemns proposed changes to federal anti-discrimination language to include gender […]
Blaming legislative ‘turmoil,’ state board of ed puts off superintendent search
On the heels of proposed legislation to make major changes to the Ohio Department of Education, the State Board of Education hesitated to make decisions in the superintendent search process. In an 11-4 vote, the board pushed to February any decisions on a search firm that would bring superintendent candidates for board review. The vote […]
State education overhaul begins trek through Ohio House
A bill to rename and restructure the Ohio Department of Education, and change the roles of the State Board of Education may see an Ohio House vote by the end of the week. Senate Bill 178 was introduced in the House Primary and Secondary Education Committee on Monday, the same day the body’s Rules and […]
Ohio Senate passes education overhaul
The Ohio Senate passed an overhaul of the state Department of Education and Board of Education on Wednesday with heavy criticism for what bill supporters say has been years of dysfunction. The measure passed 22-7, and now moves on for House consideration. Senate President Matt Huffman came down from the dais just to support the […]
Private school voucher expansion will bring about school choice, Ohio GOP sponsor says
“Parents know the needs of their children more than the state does,” Ashtabula Republican state Sen. Sandra O’Brien said this week of her attempt to expand private school vouchers in Ohio. Appearing before the Ohio Senate Primary and Secondary Education Committee, O’Brien said Senate Bill 368 would “capitalize on this rising desire to give parents the […]
Education advocates slam bill overhauling state Department of Education for quick timeline
An Ohio Senate committee approved a bill that would make significant changes to the state’s Department of Education and its state board of education. Senate Bill 178 was approved with only one “no” vote, from state Sen. Vernon Sykes, D-Akron, after four hearings in the Senate Primary and Secondary Education Committee. Multiple education advocates and […]
Ohio trans athletes ban moving forward with genital inspections replaced by birth certificates
Changes to remove genital inspections as part of a ban on trans student athletes have been approved by an Ohio Senate committee, replaced by birth certificates, as the overall bill continues to move forward. House Bill 151’s efforts to increase teacher mentorship in Ohio were praised by education leaders, except for the part of the […]