It is both an exciting and challenging time to be an educator in Ohio. We are all literally living through sweeping changes in our state educational system, including the way in which schools are funded in Ohio. Following the passage of House Bill 1, the Ohio Department of Education is developing a ten-year plan to implement all of the required changes included in the bill.  This includes developing a framework for collaborative, professional, and innovative 21^st-century learning environments. It will also include ways to better prepare and support Ohio’s teachers for successful instructional careers. The plan includes an enhancement of the current financial and resource management accountability system, and it also includes the implementation of an effective school funding system.

 

The content standards in all subjects will be revised over the next several years, beginning with the core subjects of math, science, social studies, and English/language arts. Included in the curriculum changes will be an expanded computer literacy component, and new requirements for financial literacy and entrepreneurship. A new high school assessment that is designed to measure our students against the world will most likely include the ACT exam, and some type of senior capstone project.

 

House Bill 1 also changes the current license requirements for teachers, and will now include four types of licenses: resident; professional; senior; and, lead educator. The initial resident license will be a four-year one, similar to the medical model of residency. Another change in the system is that teachers will not become eligible for tenure and a continuing contract until they have completed seven years of teaching.

 

Finally, an “evidence based model” that is also being phased in over a ten-year period is replacing the funding system we’ve known for decades. A portion of this model is based on the assumption of receiving money from the video lottery terminals, which are still being challenged at this time. As a result, it will be some time, before we actually know from the state level, how this model will be adequately funded. We are concerned with what this might mean in the next biennium state budget. There are many “unknowns” at this point in time.

 

We will embrace the changes that are occurring, while working through any challenges they may create. One very positive aspect we will have locally, because of our “excellent” state ranking, is more flexibility with the requirements as compared to school districts with lower rankings. Our focus in Perry will be to continue preparing students for success beyond high school through a curriculum that provides numerous opportunities, instruction that is differentiated for individual student differences, and working to engage our students in meaningful activities.

 

Thank you for continuing the pride, excellence, and tradition of an “excellent” school system.

 

Sincerely,

 

John Richard

 

 

Tracy – please list the mission just after my article (same page).