Budget Bill Released
HB96 – Operating Budget has been released! This 4,000+ page document outlines the Ohio House of Representatives response to Governor DeWine’s Blue Book. The Budget aims to balance of $100 billion. To review HB96, visit this site: https://www.hannah.com/ShowDocument.aspx?BTextID=240463
Gifted professional development funds have been removed from the budget bill (Section 3317.022(A)(6)(a)(iii). This is a frustrating shift that would only allow districts to spend gifted funds on the identification of gifted students, gifted coordinator services, and gifted intervention specialist services. OAGC is committed to overturning this language and will be meeting with legislators in the coming weeks to ensure this language is reinstated.
Senate Education Committee
The Senate Education Committee met today to hear testimony regarding SB19 – Regarding Public Schools – Academic Intervention. Sponsored by the chair of this committee, Senator Brenner’s bill would require that districts report the curricula they use in K-8, would require that districts implement improvement plans if a majority of students test “limited” or lower on state math and ELA exams, keep parents notified of a child’s academic recovery, and outlines ODEW’s role in accountability in ensuring that districts are providing quality intervention programs.
The Fordham Institute provided proponent testimony where they encouraged this bill to include language that would enroll all 7th-grade students who tested accomplished or advanced on their 6th and 7th grade OST into 8th grade Algebra 1. Senator Brenner seemed amenable to the Fordham Institute’s additions to this bill during the committee, but no changes have been made at this point.