Ohio Department of Education

Judge Blocks Ohio’s Attempt to Strip Power from Board of Education

September 23, 2023September 22, 2023 Ohio Star Staff

An Ohio judge issued a temporary restraining order Thursday to block a proposed law that would change who gets to write statewide education standards, according to The Columbus Dispatch.

Republican Ohio Sen. Andrew Brenner and other Republicans want powers transferred from the state school board to a single cabinet appointee because of ideological fights over culture war issues and bureaucratic gridlock in the Ohio school board, according to The Columbus Dispatch. The Ohio school board filed a lawsuit Tuesday arguing the proposed plan to give control over statewide school standards to the governor’s office is unconstitutional, which prompted Democratic Judge Karen Held Phipps to block the proposed law as it moves through the courts.

New Ohio School Bus Safety Task Force Holds First Meeting

September 13, 2023September 12, 2023 Hannah Poling

A new state task force in Ohio focused on thoroughly evaluating the safety of the state’s school buses held its first meeting on Monday at the Ohio Department of Public Safety headquarters.

As previously reported by The Ohio Star Ohio Governor Mike DeWine formed the Ohio School Bus Safety Working Group last month following a Northwestern Local School District bus crash that killed one student and injured more than two dozen in Clark County.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Creates Task Force to Evaluate School Bus Safety

September 4, 2023September 3, 2023 Hannah Poling

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced that he has formed a new task force to thoroughly evaluate the safety of the state’s school buses.

This announcement follows a Northwestern Local School District bus crash last week that killed one student and injured more than two dozen in Clark County.

Ohio to Award over $26 Million in Grant Funding to Support Student Achievement

July 26, 2023July 25, 2023 Hannah Poling

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced on Monday that Ohio is awarding over $26 million in grant funding to support accelerated learning for Ohio students.

Six high-quality tutoring vendors across the state will receive grant funding totaling over $26 million as part of the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief to provide tutoring services across the state at no cost to schools and districts.

Ohio to Award over $30 Million in Grant Funding to Support Safer and Healthier Schools

July 13, 2023July 12, 2023 Hannah Poling

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced that the state of Ohio is awarding over $30 million in grant funding to support safer and healthier learning environments for Ohio students.

747 districts and schools across the state will receive the grant funding totaling $33.3 million as part of the Ohio Department of Education’s Stronger Connections Grant.

New Bill Would Cut Down the Number of Members on Ohio Board of Education

July 10, 2023July 9, 2023 Hannah Poling

A Republican Ohio lawmaker introduced a bill into the Ohio House of Representatives to reduce the size of Ohio’s State Board of Education and remove governor-appointed positions.

House Bill (HB) 235 sponsored by State Representative Sarah Fowler Arthur (R-Ashtabula), and former state education board member, looks to downsize the 19-member Board of Education to fifteen members by 2027. It also aims to remove the eight positions appointed to the Board of Education by the governor beginning in 2025.

Ohio House Panel Passes More than $86 Billion State Operating Budget

April 27, 2023April 26, 2023 Hannah Poling

An Ohio House Panel has passed the state operating budget including a $1 billion tax cut, higher income limits for school vouchers, and a ban on TikTok from government devices.

On Tuesday, the plan to spend more than $86 billion over the subsequent two fiscal years contained in the 5,300-page proposal known as House Bill (HB) 33 passed the House Finance Committee with bipartisan support.

Ohio Republican Bill Aims to Loosen Requirements on Home Schooling

April 16, 2023April 15, 2023 Hannah Poling

A Republican Ohio House Representative introduced legislation to make homeschooling approval easier for Ohio families.

House Bill (HB) 127, sponsored by State Representative Sarah Fowler Arthur (R-Ashtabula), aims to only require the superintendent of a school to acknowledge a parent or caretaker’s intent to home school.

Senate Republicans Renew Push to Reform Ohio Education System After Interim Superintendent’s Resignation

April 13, 2023April 12, 2023 Hannah Poling

Two Republican Ohio State Senators said that the recent resignation of the interim superintendent of Public Instruction is an opportunity to overhaul the state education system and the Board of Education.

On Friday, Ohio’s interim state superintendent, Stephanie Siddens, announced that she is leaving her job after nearly two years and is set to take a job as deputy superintendent of the Upper Arlington City School District.

Ohio House Speaker Stephens Sets Legislative Priorities

February 17, 2023February 16, 2023 Hannah Poling

Following several weeks without any measures being formally submitted with bill numbers, the Ohio House Speaker and his leadership team have announced their legislative priorities, which range from adjustments to property taxes, to adoption, to protecting the integrity of girls’ sports.

Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) was joined by his allied House Republicans as he listed 12 of the more than 50 bills that were assigned numbers and sent to committees as priorities. These bills ranged from changes to property and income taxes to an affordable housing tax credit, the “Backpack Bill” universal voucher program, and making certain that biological males cannot compete in female-only athletics.

Ohio Department of Education Investigates Pro-Nazi Homeschooling Group

February 6, 2023February 5, 2023 Just the News

The Ohio Department of Education has launched an investigation into a homeschooling operation that distributes pro-Nazi curricula materials.

State officials reportedly began looking into “Dissident Homeschool” after anti-fascist watchdog group Anonymous Comrades Collective highlighted its activities, according to The Hill.

Ohio Lawmakers React to Governor DeWine’s State of the State Address

February 2, 2023February 1, 2023 Hannah Poling

Following Governor Mike DeWine’s State of the State address in the Ohio House chamber on Tuesday, Ohio lawmakers in the House and Senate voiced their opinions.

DeWine centered his address on his budget proposal. The proposal will be presented in the Ohio House in the near future as a piece of legislation that the Ohio General Assembly will need to approve.

Ohio Awards Multi-Million Dollar Grant to Ensure Kindergarten Readiness

January 25, 2023January 24, 2023 Hannah Poling

Ohio will soon receive an influx of federal funding intended to improve kindergarten readiness.

According to a statement from Governor Mike DeWine’s Office, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services will receive a total of $48 million over three years to support and increase access to quality early childhood care and education as part of the Preschool Development Grant Birth to Five from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families.

Parent Educational Freedom Act Reintroduced in Ohio Senate

January 17, 2023January 17, 2023 Hannah Poling

Republican State Senator Sandra O’Brien (R-Ashtabula) has reintroduced the Parental Education Freedom Act. The measure would make each student in the state eligible for an Educational Choice (EdChoice) Scholarship to be used at a private school of their choice, or an increased tax credit for expenses related to homeschooling.

O’Brien introduced this legislation during the lame-duck session last month as SB 368 however, the legislation did not progress before the start of the 135th General Assembly so she had to reintroduce it.

State Lawmakers Reintroduce Bill to Overhaul Ohio Education System and Board of Education

January 13, 2023January 13, 2023 Hannah Poling

Ohio Senate Republicans are making another attempt to overhaul the state education system and the Board of Education by introducing a bill Wednesday afternoon that reconsiders a proposition that fell short of approval last month.

The 2,000-page bill, Senate Bill (SB) 1, sponsored by state Senator Bill Reineke (R-Tiffin), would “restructure” the Ohio Department of Education, create a new administrative division under the governor’s office, and reduce the duties of the State Board of Education. This was the first introduced bill of 2023.

Ohio Governor Signs Five Executive Orders Following Oath of Office Including TikTok Ban from State Devices

January 10, 2023January 9, 2023 Hannah Poling

Following the signing of five new executive orders by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine on Sunday night, TikTok is now prohibited on all state-owned or leased devices.

Just moments after taking the formal oath of office for his second term, Governor Mike DeWine issued five executive orders.

Ohio State Senate Passes Plan to Restructure the State’s Education System

December 9, 2022December 9, 2022 Hannah Poling

The Ohio State Senate passed a 2,144-page Republican-backed bill to “restructure” the Ohio Department of Education on Wednesday.

Senate Bill (SB) 178 sponsored by State Senator Bill Reineke (R-Tiffin) told the Primary and Secondary Education Committee that the bill seeks to “improve the academic achievement and workforce skills of our students, to drive better outcomes in their education, and to prepare for more effective career readiness.”

Republican State Senator Introduces Bill Granting Educational Freedom to Ohio Students

December 2, 2022December 1, 2022 Hannah Poling

An Ohio lawmaker introduced legislation on Tuesday to the General Assembly to expand schooling options for Ohio children.

Senate Bill (SB) 368, sponsored by State Senator Sandra O’Brien (R-Ashtabula), known as the Parental Education Freedom Act, would make each student in the state eligible for an Educational Choice (EdChoice) Scholarship to be used at a private school of their choice, or an increased tax credit for expenses related to homeschooling.

Ohio House Passes Bill to Close Loophole that Can Shield Bad Educators from Investigations

November 22, 2022November 22, 2022 Hannah Poling

The Ohio House has approved legislation that will close a loophole in disciplinary investigation procedures for teachers and school employees.

House Bill (HB) 403 sponsored by Representatives Sarah Fowler Arthur (R-Ashtabula) and Adam C. Miller (D-Columbus) aims to close a loophole enabling a teacher or school employee who retires under threat of disciplinary investigation or termination to avoid further investigation. Under this bill school districts would report these teachers to the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) even if they retire.

Ohio Conservatives Gather to Support Anti-Critical Race Theory Legislation

September 22, 2021September 21, 2021 Brian Ball

Conservatives supporting enanctment of anti-Critical Race Theory education legislation rallied on the south plaza of the Ohio Capitol even as Ohio’s State Board of Education remains quiet about a shot across the bow Attorney General Dave Yost fired on the panel last week.

About 100 supporters of House Bill 327 gathered to hear speakers against allowing teachers to promote CRT, a political agenda that presents American history, social justice, business and other aspects of society through the lens of radical racial and gender politics.

Ohio Lawmaker and Civic Group Accuse Rep Gayle Manning of Blocking ‘Parents Right to Know Act’

June 13, 2021June 14, 2021 Jack Windsor

A bill aimed at forcing schools to disclose sexually graphic curricula to parents is being blocked by Representative Gayle Manning (R-North Ridgeville) in her capacity as Primary and Secondary Education Committee Chair, according to the sponsor of the legislation and Ohio Value Voters (OVV), a civic organization.

Known as the Parents Right to Know (House Bill 240), the proposal seeks to enforce school compliance with venereal disease and teen pregnancy prevention instruction requirements and mandates schools get parental permission before students receive teaching that goes outside the letter of the law.

Reggie Stoltzfus (R-Paris Twp), a primary sponsor of the bill, said, “It’s just sad that we have the majority in the House and the Senate and a Governor that’s a so-called Republican and we cannot pass this common-sense legislation.”

Ohio’s Biggest Teachers Union Calls for Immediate Closure with Four-Phase Position Statement

December 10, 2020December 9, 2020 Jack Windsor

On December 3 the Board of Directors of the Ohio Education Association (OEA), Ohio’s largest labor union for educators, voted unanimously to adopt the position to immediately suspend all in-person learning in the state until January 11.

The OEA released the statement on December 7.

The position statement calls for state leaders and educational institutions to “reset”, “restart”, “re-prioritize” and “resource” in order to “ensure that the needs of Ohio’s students, educators and communities are met,” according to the union’s statement.

Ohio Department of Education Sets New Graduation Guidelines for High School This Year

April 8, 2020April 7, 2020 Zachery Schmidt

The Ohio Department of Education (ODOE) announced on Monday new guidelines for students set to graduate this year.

Schools in Ohio have been closed since March 17 after Gov. Mike DeWine canceled them due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, schools remain empty as Ohio extended its “stay-at-home” measure until May 1.

DeWine has not decided if schools will open after May 1, but the governor said in March that schools could be closed for the rest of the academic year.

Ohio Department of Education Lowers the Bar for High School Graduation Requirements

February 25, 2020February 24, 2020 Jason M. Reynolds

Despite having a budget of more than $11 million for the Department of Education, Ohio Superintendent Paolo DeMaria decided high school graduates only need to know barely more than the basics in order to graduate.

Allow Public Money to Follow Students to Their Chosen Education Provider, Researcher Tells Ohio Legislature

February 21, 2020February 20, 2020 Jason M. Reynolds

Greg R. Lawson, a research fellow at The Buckeye Institute, testified Wednesday before Ohio legislators looking at solutions to the problems facing Ohio’s EdChoice program.

Cincinnati City Schools Poach Charter Students with Letter to Parents Falsely Claiming Charter School Will Be Closing

October 3, 2019October 3, 2019 Beth Lear

On June 27, 2019, Cincinnati City Schools penned a letter to parents of Southwest Ohio Preparatory School (SWOP), a charter within Cincinnati’s district boundaries. The letter stated, in part, “Southwest Ohio Preparatory School has announced the school will not reopen next school year. But there’s no need to worry because we have a seat waiting for your child at your neighborhood school.”

Positive Behavior Intervention Supports and Social Emotional Learning Will Be on State Report Cards

July 12, 2019July 11, 2019 Beth Lear

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The State Board of Education gathered this week for its monthly meeting. The discussion Tuesday morning began with the topic of PBIS – Positive Behavior Intervention Supports – in the Integrated Student Supports Committee, which is chaired by Board Vice President Charlotte McGuire. PBIS is the…

Ohio House Bill Would Kill American Government and History Testing

June 11, 2019June 10, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

The Ohio House is currently considering a bill that would reduce the number of state-mandated standardized tests students are required to take by eliminating four end-of-course exams, including the American history and American government exams. House Bill 239, referred to as the Testing Reduction Act, was introduced by Reps.…

Ohio State School Board Poised to Pass Social-Emotional Learning Standards That Teach ‘Attitudes, Behaviors and Dispositions’

June 9, 2019June 9, 2019 Beth Lear

Late last summer the State Board of Education and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Paolo DeMaria announced Ohio’s new five-year “Strategic Plan” for education. There are four “domains” in the plan, but only two are focused on academics. Reading, math, science and other classes are included in the academic half of the…

The Ohio Department of Education Asks Sunset Review to Eliminate Four Committees

May 8, 2019May 8, 2019 Maggie Leigh Thurber

The Ohio Department of Education (ODE) is asking the Sunset Review Committee to eliminate four of its committees. The committees, which reviewed the state’s academic standards for English language arts, math, science and social studies, completed their work in 2016. As a result, they are no longer needed. “These…