COVID Delta variant an increased threat to kids; debate over vaccines and masks continues
Rising numbers of COVID-19 cases and its increased risk to children raise concerns. Read more

Franklin to serve on standards board
Congratulations to Terrence Franklin, L. Hollingworth School for Talented and Gifted founder and head of schools, who was recently selected to serve as the community school representative on the Ohio Educator Standards Board. Read more

Million Classroom Project provides free mental health resources
Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s On Our Sleeves campaign works toward providing awareness and resources for children’s mental health. On Our Sleeves launched the Million Classroom Project to support the anticipated increase in needs this school year.

The goal of the project is to provide free mental health resources, developed by behavioral health experts, to one million classrooms across the country and every classroom in Ohio.

Registered educators can download the free resource, “How to Support Kids in the Classroom,” which includes mental wellness activities and tips for students in pre-school through high school.

Learn more online at: Mental Tools

Ohio’s education system earns overall “C” grade
Education Week released its annual ratings of state primary and secondary education systems, with Ohio earning an overall “C” grade based on an average of scores in three categories:

Chance for success;

School finance; and,

Achievement.

Ohio’s overall score of 75.8 compares to the nation’s score of 76.2 – significantly lower than the top score of 88.1 by highest ranked New Jersey and higher than the lowest ranked state of New Mexico with a score of 66.7.

Free suicide prevention program available
Leaders of the Ohio Department of Education and Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services jointly remind educators of the Sources of Strength suicide prevention program. Sources of Strength’s mission is to provide the highest-quality, evidence-based prevention for suicide, violence, bullying and substance abuse by training, supporting and empowering both peer leaders and caring adults to impact their world through the power of connection, hope, help and strength. Learn more about the program – free to Ohio schools – online at: Source of Strength

Feds provide guidance on use of COVID relief funds
The U.S. Department of Education released a document as part of its Return to School Roadmap to help schools implement plans for use of coronavirus relief dollars aimed at addressing pandemic-related learning losses.

At least 20 percent of funds provided to K-12 public schools must be used to fund evidence-based interventions that address instruction time lost during the pandemic.

Strategies for Using American Rescue Plan Funding to Address the Impact of Lost Instructional Time focuses on: re-engaging students by meeting their social, emotional, mental health and academic needs; supporting parents and caregivers in their child’s success; and, using high-quality assessments as part of understanding students’ social and emotional needs.

Access the document online at: Guidance

Resources for educators of English learners available
As schools work to identify English learners, translations of parent and family notification letters are available on the Ohio Department of Education’s website, titled Guidelines for Identifying English Learners available as PDF and editable Word documents.

Teachers of students who are learning English will also find information and support through the online professional learning series provided by Ohio Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). The webinars are recorded live and address critical topics related to English learners.

Learn more about or register for Tuesdays with Ohio TESOL series online at: TESOL

Innovative Workforce Incentive Program grant window opens
The Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation and Ohio Department of Education announced the list of industry-recognized credentials eligible to qualify for $34 million in incentive payments and start-up grant funds under the Innovative Workforce Incentive Program. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio General Assembly developed the program to create more opportunities for students to earn in-demand, industry-recognized credentials.

The program includes $9 million in the state’s biennial budget for grants to assist schools in establishing credential programs to prepare students for careers in priority industry sectors. The grant application is now open and schools can begin applying for a share of the fund via the state’s Comprehensive Continuous Improvement Plan grant application process until October 17.

Access information about the Innovative Workforce Incentive Program online at: Program

Data Insights examines 2020-2021 enrollment, attendance and assessments
The Ohio Department of Education recently released Data Insights: Evidence of the Pandemic’s Impact on Students in 2020-2021. The information includes preliminary data on enrollment, chronic absenteeism and the spring 2021 third grade English language arts test, math and English language arts tests in grades five to eight, and high school end-of-course exams.

The data can support continuous improvement to inform instructional and policy decisions, especially those aimed at addressing recovery needs and learning lags.

Access the report online at: Report