Staff meeting celebrates success
Focus Schools Executive Director Kathy Williams needed to look no further than her own team to provide real-life examples of student success during a staff meeting to kick off the new schools year.   READ MORE

Ohio School Safety Center created
Gov. Mike DeWine (R-Cedarville) has created the Ohio School Safety Center as a specialized division of Ohio Homeland Security housed in the Department of Public Safety. READ MORE

Groups collaborate in launch of statewide school attendance network
The Cleveland Browns Foundation, Ohio Department of Education and Proving Ground recently announced the launch of the Get 2 School, Stay in the Game! READ MORE

Legislators learn about world’s top education systems
Among the many public policy topics addressed at the recent National Conference of State Legislators was education, including a discussion on the findings of an NCSL international education study group. READ MORE

Local newspaper highlights school year kick off
The Morning Journal highlighted Horizon Science Academy Lorain’s staggered approach to students returning for the new school year. READ MORE

School leader, former student cross paths
Dr. Mohamed Tarazi, founder and leader of the International Academy of Columbus (IAC), enjoyed a pleasant surprise at The Ohio State University’s spring commencement. READ MORE

Annual bash attracts students, families
Stambaugh Charter Academy held its 10th annual Back to School Bash, which was featured on the newscast of the local ABC affiliate, WYTV. READ MORE

Find high-quality teacher candidates through Troops To Teachers
Looking for high-quality teacher candidates? The Ohio Troops to Teachers program supports military veterans beginning new careers as teachers in Ohio’s public preK-12 schools.

The program provides licensure counseling and financial support for eligible military veterans. It partners with Ohio school districts seeking to fill vacancies, particularly in high-needs districts and high-demand teaching fields.

Learn more about why your school should hire a military veteran taking part in the Troops to Teachers program online at: Ed Connection

Don’t miss “The Career Path Less Taken” on PBS
Whether it’s the workforce, postsecondary education or additional training for a specialty field, Ohio’s career-technical education programs prepare students for success in every pathway.

PBS will showcase the Buckeye State’s vibrant and innovative career-tech learning community in a new documentary, The Career Path Less Taken, debuting in Sept.

The documentary will air on many of the state’s PBS stations on Thursday, Sept. 5, at 8 p.m. and will be available everywhere on demand in the PBS video app.

The Career Path Less Taken takes a deeper look at career-technical education, addresses misconceptions and highlights how these programs are vital to preparing students to compete in an increasingly complex and global marketplace.

Future HS testing, grad requirements preliminary guidance available
The Ohio Department of Education (ODE) has developed preliminary guidance and resources on permanent graduation requirements for the classes of 2021, consistent with new state laws.

Students in the classes of 2021 and 2022 have the option to meet the requirements of one of Ohio’s original three pathways to graduate or meet the new permanent requirements. Students in the classes of 2023 and beyond must meet the new requirements.

ODE’s preliminary guidance document offers an overview of changes to Ohio’s state testing system and high school graduation requirements.

Learn more online at: Ed Connection

Handwriting instruction guidelines now available
House Bill 58, which became effective July 1, required the Ohio Department of Education to include supplemental materials for teaching cursive and manuscript writing for schools and districts that want to teach them.

An instructional supports section is included with the model curriculum. These supports contain instructional strategies, including examples and instructional tools/resources and were created and compiled by the Ohio educators who updated the Model Curriculum. Supports for Handwriting

New online EMIS resources available
The Ohio Department of Education has developed resources, pages and features on the Education Management Information System (EMIS) website in response to work done by the EMIS Advisory Council and its workgroups, as well as other feedback from the field.

Access EMIS Alliance Training, EMIS Learning Library, a glossary of terms and phrases, roundup and training videos online at: ODE

2020 Green Ribbon Schools application available
Ohio is again taking part in the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools program that recognizes buildings doing exemplary work to reduce environmental impact and costs, improve the health and wellness of students and staff, and provide effective environmental and sustainability education that incorporates STEM, civic skills and green career pathways.

Learn more at: Ed Connection