Budget Update – The Ohio House passed Substitute Bill HB49 this week largely along party lines. There were a few new tweaks to education provisions but nothing directly affecting gifted education. The amendment for a gifted cost study remains in the bill. The Ohio Department of Education (ODE) will be presenting to the Ohio Senate Finance Committee today. The Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) presented to the committee yesterday. Senator Bill Coley took ODHE to task for requiring non-public schools to allow their students to participate in College Credit Plus saying that ODHE had misinterpreted the law. Non-public school students have always been allowed to participate in College Credit Plus and, before that, PSEO (Post Secondary Enrollment Options) as a matter of parental/student choice. Eliminating that choice would be puzzling given Ohio’s history of support of school choice. Hearings on the budget will begin in the Senate will move into high gear next week.
Superintendents’ Advisory Committee on Assessments — The State Superintendent’s Advisory Committee on Assessments met on Tuesday, May 2 to begin developing recommendations based on their previously-compiled brainstorming list . The committee broke into four separate groups and began to work on recommendations. At the end of the meeting, each group indicated their top recommendations which included:
- Eliminate Work Keys (career tech exams) and restructure KRA (Kindergarten Readiness Assessment;
- Remove the state English II, Math II, American History end of course exams along with the state science and social studies assessments.
- Use a voucher system for the ACT and SAT so that students could take the assessment on a Saturday rather than have the assessment administered at the local school district level.
- Reduce state developed assessments (AIR grade level and end of course exams) to federal required levels with the possible exception of the third grade reading assessment fall administration to meet the third grade reading guarantee.
The next meeting will be on May 16, 2017 where additional time will be spent on state assessment recommendations. Committee members may also begin work on recommendations for local assessments. Brainstorming ideas for this area can be viewed here.
Federal Budget Spending Bill Includes Javits Funding – The spending bill that was negotiated this week to fund the federal budget through September includes $12 million to support the Jacob Javits Gifted grants.
OAGC Advocacy Live You Tube Event Rescheduled — The OAGC Parent Division has rescheduled a YouTube LIVE event from May 1 to May 15th at 7 pm. Come learn from parents and professionals who will share their powerful tips on advocating for your gifted child. From the classroom level to the state level, this session will address advocacy needs that include academic, social-emotional, twice-exceptional, post-secondary, and so much more. Learn from others who “have been there” and get answers for your advocacy needs during this Q&A opportunity. Post questions during the event directly on YouTube or elsewhere on social media using #OAGC and we will answer them during the live event. Other questions or to learn more about the Parent Division visit www.oagc.com or email Parent Division Chair Angela Grimm [email protected] .