Educator evaluations in Ohio are changing. Find out what it means for you at the free Statewide Educator Evaluation Symposium May 25. Like most states, Ohio is introducing a system for evaluating educator performance that provides deeper feedback and helps improve instruction. The Ohio Teacher Evaluation System (OTES) will be based equally on teacher classroom performance using factors such as observation, and student growth measures. Participants will learn about models of educator evaluation and promising practices for piloting and implementing the Ohio Principal Evaluation System and the Ohio Teacher Evaluation System collaboratively and systemically.

In the interest of supporting the best, most highly qualified OEA members in their preparation for election to Ohio's retirement boards, the OEA is sponsoring a Retirement Systems Training Program. To encourage participation in the Retirement Board Training Program, the OEA will offer scholarships for members interested in pursuing seats on the STRS, OPERS and SERS Boards.  These scholarships will cover the cost of four, two-day training sessions required to complete a Certificate of Achievement in Public Plan Policy (CAPPP), as well as other related trainings and/or meetings

If you're reading The Lorax for Read Across America Day and looking for lesson plans and materials, there are plenty of resources available, including The Lorax Project from Dr. Seuss,  Lorax familiy literacy bags from Reading Rockets, and ReadWriteThink.org. If you have a lesson plan or resource you'd like to share, email readacross@nea.org with your link.

This year's theme is green for a very special 2012 Read Across America celebration. NEA's Read Across America campaign will showcase the Lorax book as well as NBC/Universal's The Lorax. The film opens nationwide March 2, 2012 and Universal, Dr. Seuss Enterprises, and Random House have joined NEA's Read Across America, creating new posters and classroom guides for the campaign. Read Across America will also develop new event ideas and materials to help you make this a Seussational celebration.