Modified report cards released
The Ohio Department of Education has released 2020 school report cards which, consistent with COVID response legislation passed earlier this year, do not contain overall grades. READ MORE

Extended testing, report card moratoriums proposed in bi-partisan legislation
Senate Bill 358 has been introduced to address school and district accountability issues against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. READ MORE

COVID immunity bill passed, signed into law
Gov. Mike DeWine has signed legislation (H.B. 606) passed by the Ohio House and Senate aimed at providing broad COVID civil immunity for businesses and government entities, including schools.

Sponsored by Rep. Diane Grendell (R-Chesterland), the bill seeks to strikes a balance between reopening Ohio’s economy and keeping Ohioans safe.

“This bill … is very, very consistent with these two goals,” Gov. DeWine said. “Some of the people that are really the front line to both the battle to keep us safe and the battle to bring our businesses back and jobs back are represented by the groups that really have lobbied for this.”

Signed by the governor on Sept. 14, H.B. 606 becomes effective in 90 days.

State mandates, implements K-12 virus reporting plan
After announcing his plan to require K-12 schools to create ways – using new or existing communications tools -- for parents to report student COVID-19 cases, Gov. Mike DeWine unveiled two new data dashboards to inform Ohioans about cases in schools and among children in general.

The first tool features data on cases in schools, broken down by county. The second looks at young Ohioans – those under the age of 18 – reporting the number of cases and hospitalizations.

The intent is to provide parents with access to information that will aid in their decisions on what educational options are best for their children as the spread of COVID-19 continues across Ohio and throughout the nation. The information should not, Gov. DeWine cautions, be used to judge how effective schools and districts are in taking appropriate safety measures.

Schools will be required to report COVID positive test results for students and staff to local health departments within 48 hours, with the information then provided to the Ohio Department of Health with aggregate data published weekly online at: COVID

Court case continues; legislation still pending
There’s been a new development in the lawsuit involving the legality of arming school staff who have not undergone the same training requirements as that of resource officers.

The Ohio Supreme Court has granted the request of the Madison Local School District to stay the Twelfth District Court of Appeals’ ruling that armed staff are not exempt from the rigorous training requirements. As a result of the ruling, the district may reenact its policy on armed staff that was in place during the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 school years.

The district argues that its policy is permissible because state law empowers school boards to determine who can carry weapons in school safety zones.

Sen. Bill Coley (R-Liberty Twp.) has introduced legislation (S.B. 317) that he says clarifies that local officials may enact policies allowing for armed staff. Many testified in opposition to the bill before it was approved by the Senate Oversight & Reform Committee, saying it will make schools more dangerous. The committee vote was strictly along party lines, with all Republican members in support and all Democrats in opposition.

Board debates elimination of administrative rules on adult learning program Many state agency administrative rules must be reviewed, revised as appropriate, and submitted to the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR) for consideration every five years. Consistent with that requirement, the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) has prepared a rules package on programs for adult learners which was reviewed and discussed by the State Board of Education’s Teaching, Leading and Learning Committee last month.

In preparing the rules package, ODE staff discovered that no districts are employing adult high school continuation programs. Instead, they are using the state’s 22+ Adult High School Diploma, Adult Diploma and Ohio High School Equivalence programs to serve adult learners.

Based on that information, committee members have questioned whether the rules are still relevant and should remain in place. ODE staff have been instructed to determine if districts are aware of the continuation programs, if funds are allocated to support it, and the cost – if any -- of keeping the rules in place. This information is to be shared and discussed at the committee’s Oct. meeting.

Free meals available through year-end The Ohio Department of Education (ODE) recently received approval to expand free breakfast and lunch to all students attending schools on the National School Lunch Program through Dec. 31. This opportunity continues the U.S. Department of Agriculture and ODE’s dedication to meeting the needs of the whole child during the COVID-19 pandemic. The expanded program will provide nutritious meals to all students with fewer barriers, helping schools get back up and running for both in-person and remote learning. For more information, contact ODE’s Office of Integrated Student Supports education program at 1-800-808-6325.

Permission to Thrive: Leading Beyond Survival Mode
EnvisionEdPlus has partnered with Miami University’s Center for School-Based Mental Health Programs and the Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success to provide a free one-hour training that will help school administrators and their staff get out of survival mode.

During this live virtual session, school and district leaders, academic coaches, team leaders and after-school program leaders are invited to learn to give themselves and others permission to thrive by: creating a plan to increase balance, and connectedness and energy in their own lives; developing a strategy to replicate the training for their staff; and, accessing a virtual swag bag with resources, tools and training options to keep balance, connectedness and positive energy flowing all year.

Choose to attend one of two session offerings on Oct. 7: 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. or 4 to 5 p.m.

Permission to Thrive is free, but registration is required online at: Thrive

ODE offers virtual meet-ups
The Ohio Department of Education’s Physical Education Consultant, Randi Myers, has partnered with the Educational Service Center of Stark County to host virtual meet-ups every Wednesday, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

All physical education teachers and administrators are invited to attend and learn more about various topics that are important to the field.

Ohio students in grades K-8 are required to have physical education as a part of their curriculum and must be evaluated within the specified grade band. High school students must complete 120 hours of physical education (1/2 credit) for graduation.

Learn more online at: Resources

In partnership with the Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio, the Ohio Department of Education is hosting virtual meet-ups the second Monday of every month at 1 p.m.

These meet-ups are open to all career readiness leaders and offer resources and tools to develop post-high school readiness for students – whether it’s in preparation for their journey into the workforce, additional education or the military.

Find information about virtual meet-ups online at: Meet-ups