OSCA Legislative Update
By Julia Wynn, Government Advantage Group | December 2019
OSCA had an exciting last few months of 2019 around the Statehouse. Our bill to require ODE to create a universal job description for school counselors, HB 367, was introduced and heard in the House Primary and Secondary Education Committee. OSCA President Nichole Miller, President-elect Michelle Grimm and Past President Heather Fairs all testified in favor of the bill in committee on November 19. Also declaring their support were the Ohio Education Association via written testimony and Dr. Colette Dollarhide (in person) representing the Ohio Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. We are looking forward to more hearings on the bill in the near future.
Sen. Stephanie Kunze’s (R – Hilliard) bill to provide a $250 tax credit to school counselors, teachers and other school personnel for out-of-pocket expenses was signed into law by Governor DeWine on November 6. The bill’s credit applies to professional development spending and classroom supplies, and will be effective February 4 – just in time for National School Counseling Week!
In early November, OSCA leadership got a rare audience with the Lieutenant Governor. His office reached out to discuss the role school counselors might play in encouraging students to go into career and technical fields. OSCA members present shared the innovative ways they are partnering with local business to create connections for students, but also emphasized the need for more support and funding to better help their students find opportunities in this realm.
Finally, a group representing private colleges and universities reached out to OSCA to discuss ways to improve FAFSA completion rates among Ohio students. The organization is part of a coalition of education groups and business organizations dedicated to increasing higher education achievement to improve outcomes. OSCA shared some of the tools available to school counselors that help with FAFSA completion and some of the technical and social barriers restraining greater completion rates. We always appreciate the opportunity to participate in discussions that explore ways to help students, so it was valuable to be at the table.
Sen. Stephanie Kunze’s (R – Hilliard) bill to provide a $250 tax credit to school counselors, teachers and other school personnel for out-of-pocket expenses was signed into law by Governor DeWine on November 6. The bill’s credit applies to professional development spending and classroom supplies, and will be effective February 4 – just in time for National School Counseling Week!
In early November, OSCA leadership got a rare audience with the Lieutenant Governor. His office reached out to discuss the role school counselors might play in encouraging students to go into career and technical fields. OSCA members present shared the innovative ways they are partnering with local business to create connections for students, but also emphasized the need for more support and funding to better help their students find opportunities in this realm.
Finally, a group representing private colleges and universities reached out to OSCA to discuss ways to improve FAFSA completion rates among Ohio students. The organization is part of a coalition of education groups and business organizations dedicated to increasing higher education achievement to improve outcomes. OSCA shared some of the tools available to school counselors that help with FAFSA completion and some of the technical and social barriers restraining greater completion rates. We always appreciate the opportunity to participate in discussions that explore ways to help students, so it was valuable to be at the table.