The Ohio Statehouse has been buzzing. Here are the main (not all!) bills OAGC is keeping an eye on during this busy time.
- HB96 – Operating Budget
- Please visit: https://oagc.com/advocacy/state-budget/ to read OAGC’s latest testimonies in both House Finance and House Education. These testimonies have been recorded and can be found on the OhioChannel.org. As of right now, gifted professional development funds for general education teachers has been removed from the budget. OAGC is both urging lawmakers to reinstate these funds and also review GIS:student ratios in the Ohio Revised Code.
- HB114 – Kindergarten Admissions Age Requirements
- OAGC has had conversations with both authors (Rep Bird and Rep Ritter) of this bill regarding early entrance to kindergarten. We expect amendments to be drafted soon and will update members as soon as they are public.
- HB62 – College Credit Plus Changes
- OAGC is happy to see that books and “open source” costs will be free to the CCP student.
- SB19 – Regarding Public Schools – Academic Intervention
- As mentioned in previous advocacy updates, we are keeping our eye on this bill for potential 8th grade algebra 1 language.
- SB113 – Prohibit DEI – Public Schools
- This bill is similar to the highly contentious SB1 (Advance Higher Education Act) that is making its way through the statehouse. If enacted as is currently written, SB113 would prohibit diversity, equity, and inclusion in public schools.
Additionally, Governor DeWine had his State of the State address on Wednesday. Major themes include jobs, literacy, and career technical education. Governor DeWine has also announced that the high school students who graduate in the top 5% of their graduating class are not only awarded the Governor’s Merit Scholarship, but are also guaranteed in the budget to admission to the main campus of every state college or university.