Ohio Legislative News
By Amanda Sines | September 2018
Gubernatorial Candidates Release Education Plans
On November 6, 2018, Ohio will elect a new Governor. Vying for the spot are Republican Mike DeWine and Democrat Richard Cordray. As education policy is an issue that many voters are interested in, each campaign has released policy statements to highlight their education priorities.
Here are links to information on the education policy released by the DeWine Campaign:
OSCA and OCA Meet with Mental Health & Addiction Advocacy Coalition (MHAC)
On July 18, 2018, Heather Fairs (OSCA president), Adrianne Johnson (OCA president) and Amanda Sines (OSCA and OCA lobbyist) met with Kelly Smith from the Mental Health & Addiction Advocacy Coalition (MHAC). The purpose of the meeting was to discuss opportunities to promote mental health prevention, education and services in schools. MHAC would like to make this a priority issue for the upcoming General Assembly and reached out to OSCA and OCA to coordinate efforts. This was an introductory meeting. All groups believe this is an opportune time to advocate for this issue. Members of the legislature have expressed interest in the issue, as well as candidates to be the next Ohio Governor.
We will continue to discuss this issue with stakeholders. The goal is to have a policy statement ready to share in the fall.
State Releases Report Cards
On September 13, 2018, the Ohio Department of Education released the State Report Cards. This is the first year in which districts were given an overall letter grade. According to the ODE’s release, “the overall grade is calculated by using results in the six components: Achievement, Progress, Gap Closing, Improving At-Risk K–3 Readers (previously known as K–3 Literacy Improvement), Graduation Rate and Prepared for Success. Districts and schools also received A–F grades on each of the six components and most of the individual measures. More than three quarters of districts received a C or higher, with more than a third receiving a B or higher. Approximately 40 percent of school buildings received a B or higher.”
You can find how schools fared here: https://reportcard.education.ohio.gov
Some members of the legislature have discussed overhauling the school grading system. That conversation is expected to continue into the next General Assembly.
OSCA Signs on to Letter Urging Action on Gun Safety Legislation
The Ohio House of Representatives and the Ohio Senate have legislation pending in their chambers addressing gun safety. The bills have several common-sense provisions to strengthen Ohio laws regarding gun safety and harmonizing Ohio law to federal law. Unfortunately, House Bill 585 (sponsored by Rep. Mike Henne) and Senate Bill 288 (sponsored by Senators Stephanie Kunze and John Eklund) have lagged in committee without much action. OSCA signed onto a letter on June 14 with other education groups, gun safety advocates, clergy, law enforcement and others urging actions on these bills. This letter was distributed to every member of the General Assembly.
On November 6, 2018, Ohio will elect a new Governor. Vying for the spot are Republican Mike DeWine and Democrat Richard Cordray. As education policy is an issue that many voters are interested in, each campaign has released policy statements to highlight their education priorities.
Here are links to information on the education policy released by the DeWine Campaign:
- http://www.mikedewine.com/Kids/
- https://www.scribd.com/document/387994727/DeWine-Husted-Education-Agenda
- https://cordrayforohio.com/issues/supporting-ohios-students/
- http://www.dispatch.com/news/20180912/cordray-would-close-corrupt-charters-better-fund-public-k-12
OSCA and OCA Meet with Mental Health & Addiction Advocacy Coalition (MHAC)
On July 18, 2018, Heather Fairs (OSCA president), Adrianne Johnson (OCA president) and Amanda Sines (OSCA and OCA lobbyist) met with Kelly Smith from the Mental Health & Addiction Advocacy Coalition (MHAC). The purpose of the meeting was to discuss opportunities to promote mental health prevention, education and services in schools. MHAC would like to make this a priority issue for the upcoming General Assembly and reached out to OSCA and OCA to coordinate efforts. This was an introductory meeting. All groups believe this is an opportune time to advocate for this issue. Members of the legislature have expressed interest in the issue, as well as candidates to be the next Ohio Governor.
We will continue to discuss this issue with stakeholders. The goal is to have a policy statement ready to share in the fall.
State Releases Report Cards
On September 13, 2018, the Ohio Department of Education released the State Report Cards. This is the first year in which districts were given an overall letter grade. According to the ODE’s release, “the overall grade is calculated by using results in the six components: Achievement, Progress, Gap Closing, Improving At-Risk K–3 Readers (previously known as K–3 Literacy Improvement), Graduation Rate and Prepared for Success. Districts and schools also received A–F grades on each of the six components and most of the individual measures. More than three quarters of districts received a C or higher, with more than a third receiving a B or higher. Approximately 40 percent of school buildings received a B or higher.”
You can find how schools fared here: https://reportcard.education.ohio.gov
Some members of the legislature have discussed overhauling the school grading system. That conversation is expected to continue into the next General Assembly.
OSCA Signs on to Letter Urging Action on Gun Safety Legislation
The Ohio House of Representatives and the Ohio Senate have legislation pending in their chambers addressing gun safety. The bills have several common-sense provisions to strengthen Ohio laws regarding gun safety and harmonizing Ohio law to federal law. Unfortunately, House Bill 585 (sponsored by Rep. Mike Henne) and Senate Bill 288 (sponsored by Senators Stephanie Kunze and John Eklund) have lagged in committee without much action. OSCA signed onto a letter on June 14 with other education groups, gun safety advocates, clergy, law enforcement and others urging actions on these bills. This letter was distributed to every member of the General Assembly.