FY24-25 BUDGET
Former U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci Thursday announced a new a political action committee that would help “restore conservative leadership” to Ohio’s school districts. The Save Our Schools Ohio (SOS Ohio) PAC will be working with and uniting dozens of statewide, education-based organizations to help elect or reelect local school board candidates in dozens of races in 2023, Renacci said. The group will work to collect data and analyze all school races to help identify crucial races to flip control of local school boards. It will also assist candidates in raising funds and targeting voters.
EDUCATION
In the past two decades, researchers have made great strides in uncovering how children learn math, but little of that new knowledge has trickled down to teachers, according to a new book on math education co-authored by an Ohio State University (OSU) professor. The gap between research and practice is particularly unfortunate, given the current state of American students’ math skills, said Nancy Krasa, co-author of How Children Learn Math: The Science of Math Learning in Research and Practice. Krasa, who is an adjunct assistant professor of psychology at Ohio State, said, “In 2019, only about one-fourth of high school seniors scored at or above the proficiency level in math. And all indications are that this has only gotten worse with the learning loss associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.” Krasa, a licensed psychologist specializing in children with learning difficulties, said there is a way to meet these challenges, including for children who have trouble with mathematics.
Nearly three years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, school closures and lost instructional time continue to take a toll on students and schools. The latest National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) — also called the Nation’s Report Card — found significant drop-offs in reading and math proficiency for fourth and eighth grade students both in Ohio and across the country. The pandemic also exacerbated existing gaps in the education system with students from low income families and Black and Hispanic students faring far worse than higher income, White students. The Columbus Metropolitan Club’s (CMC) Wednesday forum sought to identify some ways to move forward. Panelist Stephane Lavertu suggested schools and policy makers might need to moderate their expectations of how much learning loss can be quickly recovered.
Former U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci Thursday announced a new a political action committee that would help “restore conservative leadership” to Ohio’s school districts. The Save Our Schools Ohio (SOS Ohio) PAC will be working with and uniting dozens of statewide, education-based organizations to help elect or reelect local school board candidates in dozens of races in 2023, Renacci said. The group will work to collect data and analyze all school races to help identify crucial races to flip control of local school boards. It will also assist candidates in raising funds and targeting voters.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY/STATEHOUSE
In a raucous floor session Tuesday, the Ohio House elected the rest of the chamber’s Republican leadership slate and adopted the rules for the chamber over the loud objections of Rep. Derek Merrin (R-Maumee) and his allied members, after House Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) refused to allow debate on the resolutions. In its only unanimous vote, the House adopted HCR3 (Oelslager), which sets a joint House and Senate session for the “State of the State” address for noon Tuesday, Jan. 31.
After the vote on HR10 (Oelslager) was adopted 62-34, some Republican members refused to stand and applaud with the rest of the House as the leadership team — Rep. Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati) as majority floor leader, Rep. Jon Cross (R-Kenton) as assistant majority floor leader, Rep. Jim Hoops (R-Napoleon) as majority whip, and Rep. Sharon Ray (R-Wadsworth) as assistant majority whip — was sworn in. Hoops and Ray had both supported Merrin for speaker.
PENSIONS
The investment expert appointed to the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) Board of Trustees by Treasurer Robert Sprague has resigned, and a new appointment is in the works. Scott Roulston, the appointee of the treasurer’s office, resigned near year’s end, citing “other commitments” in a letter to STRS leadership.
You have come to the right place for what you need to know about available jobs, our fantastic local employers, and our great community!