Both the House Education and Senate Education Committees convened on Tuesday, October 21st.
House Education
House Education met to hear sponsored testimony from HB455 – Elimination-Obsolete Education Provision. This bill is co-sponsored by Reps. Manning and Bird. If enacted as currently written, this bill would eliminate certain obsolete education provisions. The authors of this bill hope that this bill will allow teachers to “…have more opportunities to focus their efforts on their students and classrooms.”
Additionally, the House Education Committee heard opponent testimony for HB486 – Allow Influence of Christianity Instruction. Opening opponent testimony was provided by Gary Daniels, the legislative director of the ACLU of Ohio. Opponents argued that this legislation is unnecessary because the First Amendment allows educators to teach about religion in their classrooms.
Senate Education
Senate Education met to approve amendments for SB19 – Regarding Public Schools-Academic Intervention. Two amendments were adopted during the committee. The first amendment would permit schools to use DPIA funds for professional development on “evidence-based strategies for effective math instruction and implementation of math curriculum.” The second amendment changed language around assessments, math achievement improvement plans, and changed the implementation date from 2025-2026 school year to the 2026-2027 school year for the math improvement plans. Senator Brenner stated that the committee would “continue to work on” SB19.
Upcoming ODEW Webinars
The Department of Education and Workforce has created a four-part webinar series to assist in the implementation of the integrated multi-tiered systems of supports framework. To register for the webinars, please visit [this link] (please note that you must register for each webinar). Each webinar is scheduled for 3:30 – 4:30pm.
October 30th – Understanding the Student Learning Components within Ohio’s Integrated Multi-Tiered System of Supports
November 19th – Understanding the Adult Implementation Components within Ohio’s Integrated Multi-Tiered System of Supports
January 29th – Using Ohio’s Integrated MTSS to Inform District, School, and Building One Needs Assessments and One Plans (part 1)
February 26th – Using Ohio’s Integrated MTSS to Inform District, School, and Building One Needs Assessments and One Plans (part 2)