Dr. Joelle Hood to be featured speaker at BCHF’s All Schools Meeting
Courage, Connection & Compassion will resonate well with BCHF-sponsored schools, and with BCHF’s theme this year of a “deeper look” into social and emotional wellness in schools.  READ MORE

State Board welcomes new members
Two new State Board of Education members have been appointed by Gov. Mike DeWine (R-Cedarville). 

Stephen Dackin replaces Jimmy Sheppard, whose resignation was the result of relocation.  Dackin, whose term will run through the end of 2020, is the superintendent of school and community partnerships for Columbus State Community College.

Reginald Wilkinson replaces David Brinegar, whose cited personal reasons in his letter of resignation.  Wilkinson, whose term will run through the end of 2022, is the former director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.

JEOC  consideration os state report cards continue
In a recent meeting, members of the Joint Education Oversight Committee (JEOC) discussed the state report card’s “Prepared for Success” component, questioning whether its name accurately reflects what it seeks to measure.

Several stakeholders shared their view that the component focuses too heavily on the college pathway, failing to acknowledge the value of apprenticeships, entrepreneurial opportunities, careers in the military and other paths.

The majority of districts earned an “F” in the “Prepared for Success” component, and about 43 percent earned “C” or “D” grades on the most recent state report cards.

U.S. Census Bureau shares stats
The U.S. Census Bureau offers free Statistics in Schools classroom resources, which use census statistics as the foundation for learning.  Teachers and subject matter experts developed each activity to teach students about the value and everyday use of statistics.  The Statistics in Schools program includes more than 200 activities to enhance learning in a variety of subjects.

Resources include:  67 new activities for grades pre-K through 12 that have students use data interactively to build skills in history, math, geography and English; large colorful maps with fun census-based facts; a storybook with activities and a music video for children in preschool and early grades; engaging videos; and, resources for English language learners.

Access the resources online at: https://census.gov/schools

2020  Graduation options – Capstone project guidance available
New materials on graduation requirements for students in the class of 2020 are available on the Ohio Department of Education’s (ODE) website. 

Students in the class of 2020 may complete a capstone project to satisfy one component of Ohio’s graduation requirements.  Under state law, ODE is required to develop guidance for districts and schools that outlines the components of successful capstone projects and a process for evaluating them, so these experiences satisfy graduation requirements.

Access the capstone project guidance document

Data review window open
Superintendents have until Sept. 6 to complete a required review of 2019 student and assessment data reported in the Education Management Information System (EMIS). 

They must signify the accuracy of data as they complete and submit the 2019 Data Review for the Report Card Part 1 form. 

Superintendents (or their designees) and EMIS coordinators can access and fill out the data review forms.  However, the forms are not officially submitted to the Ohio Department of Education until the superintendent approves the form to complete the process. 

For more information about the data review window, timeline and completion process, visit the EMIS Data Review & Verification webpage

Handwriting guidelines now available
As previously reported, the Ohio General Assembly passed legislation (H.B. 58) to address the instruction of manuscript and cursive writing in Ohio’s schools.

The new law — which requires the Ohio Department of Education to provide information on the development of handwriting and supplemental instructional materials in the English Language Arts Model Curriculum — became effective July 1, 2019. 

A guidance and supports document is now available online