Legislative Watch – March 5, 2021
Revamped Testing Bill Heads to Senate; OEA testifies on State Budget Bill; HB 151: Eliminates Resident Educator Summative Assessment (RESA); HB 6 School Nurse License Change Makes Up Hours Educator Preparation Program
Urge Senators to Fix School Funding Now – Pass Speaker Robert Cupp’s Fair School Funding Plan
The current school funding formula is unconstitutional and forces communities to make an impossible choice: higher property taxes or fewer opportunities for their kids. Ohio’s students deserve a funding formula that is fair and will meet all their educational needs, regardless of where they live. Click here to send a message to your legislators urging support of this bill.
Legislative Watch – February 26, 2021
OEA Testifies in Support of Bill to Fix School Funding; SB 67 Stalls Amid Federal testing Announcement
OEA’s testimony in support of HB67
OEA Vice President Jeff Wensing delivered OEA proponent testimony on HB 67 to the committee on Thursday, February 18. This was his submitted testimony.
February 2021 OEA Retirement Systems Update
Report to the OEA Board of Directors — the State Teachers Retirement System, the School Employees Retirement System, & the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System.
Wellness Wednesdays: Coping with COVID
OEA’s Wellness Cadre is launching a series of “Wellness Wednesdays” for the remainder of the school year.
ESP Conference Registration Opens
Registration for the 2021 NEA ESP National Conference is now open!
Legislative Watch – February 12, 2021
Bills Introduced to Waive Spring Testing for This School Year; SB 1 – Requires Half-Unit Financial Literacy Course for High School Students; HB 54: Repeals Academic Distress Commissions (State Takeovers)
OEA welcomes CDC’s school reopening guidance, calls for federal support
Ohio Education Association welcomes CDC’s commonsense school reopening guidance, urges federal support to implement critical safety measures
OEA applauds resolution on use of state testing data, but urges further action
Ohio Education Association applauds Board of Ed. Member Collins’ resolution on use of state testing data, but urges further action
ONE testifies in advance of Public Schools Week
In recognition and celebration of the upcoming Public Schools Week February 22-26, Ohio’s New Educators (ONE) is writing today to share our deep pride for and the importance of public schools and the work we do
OEA Endorses Correthers, Walters and Stein for STRS Board
Each year the State Teachers Retirement Board (STRS) elects members of its retirement board for 4-year terms. OEA has endorsed Carol Correthers, Bob Stein, and Rita Walters.
OEA urges passage of Fair School Funding Plan in light of new revenue estimates
In light of more robust revenue estimates, Ohio Education Association urges state lawmakers to pass Fair School Funding Plan now
Ohio Education Association Anticipating Release of Full Budget Details, Urges State Lawmakers to Ensure Education Funding is Top Priority
After Release of Budget 'Blue Book,' OEA Urges Lawmakers to Prioritize Education Funding
Schools Included in COVID-19 Vaccine-Distribution
Governor DeWine has provided further clarification on how the vaccine will be distributed. The delivery of the vaccine to school districts will take place over the course of four weeks. Please be on the lookout for directions from your school district …
OEA Seeks Answers About State Bd. of Ed. Member’s Role in Jan. 6 Events
Ohio Education Association Calls For State Board of Education Member Kirsten Hill to Denounce Violent Insurrection in the Capitol, Provide Answers About Her Organizing Role
Ohio Education Association Applauds Plans to Prioritize Educators for COVID-19 Vaccines
Ohio Education Association Applauds State’s Plans to Include Educators, School Staff in Next Phase of COVID-19 Vaccinations
Putting Education First – Messaging Guidance for Local Leaders
This content is for OEA members only.
Ohio Education Association Urges Schools, State to Put Education First: Reset, Restart, Re-Prioritize, Resource
As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to climb in Ohio, the Ohio Education Association (OEA) is calling on state leaders and school districts across the state to demonstrate their commitment to putting students first in their pandemic response by following a four-point plan that reflects the latest science and best practices for ensuring Ohio’s children receive a high-quality education in a safe environment.
Ohio Education Association Urges Senate to Quickly Pass SB 376 After Companion Legislation was Approved in House
The Ohio Education Association (OEA) applauds the Ohio House for passing Substitute House Bill 305 by an overwhelmingly bipartisan 84-8 vote*, better known as the Fair School Funding Plan (FSFP), and urges Senate members to quickly take up and approve the companion legislation in their chamber, Senate Bill 376. The FSFP represents a critical step toward addressing Ohio’s school funding crisis and to finally ensure that Ohio’s students are given the state resources needed to receive a world-class education.
Urge Senators to Fix School Funding Now – Pass HB 305/SB 376
OEA believes the current funding formula fails to adequately support students. NOW is the time to fix school funding! OEA urges the Ohio Senate to pass HB 305/SB 376
Ohio Education Association Urges Governor to Reject Senate Bill 89’s Harmful Voucher Expansion
OEA asking lawmakers to pass House Bill 305 to mitigate SB 89 damage
OEA Optimistic About SB 376’s School Funding Proposals
OEA welcomes discussion about state reforms to fix Ohio’s broken school funding system and remains hopeful for a solution to address the needs of Ohio students.
Ohio Education Association Calls for Full Remote Learning in Counties in Highest Tiers of State’s Public Health Advisory Alert System
As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise in Ohio, the Ohio Education Association (OEA) is urging the state to enact stronger measures to keep students and educators safe. Those include requirements for schools to follow all CDC safety guidelines in counties where infection rates are lower and mandates for schools in counties where infection rates are higher to open only for remote instruction as long as it is necessary
OEA Leaders Working to Shape State, Federal COVID-19 Response Policies
As schools return to session in the midst of the global Coronavirus pandemic, the Ohio Education Association (OEA) is joining the conversations to shape policies for educating Ohio’s children and keeping educators and families across the country safe.
OEA’s Opposition to House Bill 606
OEA opposes House Bill 606 as passed by the Ohio Senate due to new provisions inserted. Here is the letter sent to Speaker Cupp stating OEA's position.
OEA Reopening survey results
OEA recently conducted a scientifically reliable poll of its members to gauge their feelings on plans to re-open Ohio's public schools
OEA on the Issues | OEA Legislative Scorecard | Find My Ohio Legislators
Protect Your Students. Protect Your Contract. Protect Your Profession.
Protect Collective Bargaining and Local Control
The State Takeover law still removes local control of public schools and denies collective bargaining rights for educators based on biased and misleading state report cards.
Urge Senators to Fix School Funding Now – Pass HB 305/SB 376
OEA believes the current funding formula fails to adequately support students. NOW is the time to fix school funding! OEA urges the Ohio Senate to pass HB 305/SB 376
Urge Senators to Fix School Funding Now – Pass Speaker Robert Cupp’s Fair School Funding Plan
The current school funding formula is unconstitutional and forces communities to make an impossible choice: higher property taxes or fewer opportunities for their kids. Ohio’s students deserve a funding formula that is fair and will meet all their educational needs, regardless of where they live. Click here to send a message to your legislators urging support of this bill.
OEA/NEA MEMBER-ONLY BENEFITS
Your OEA membership is there to support you in the important, life-changing work that you’re doing. Visit OEA ACCESS to unlock even more dining, travel, auto, retail, and recreational discounts.
OEA Legal Services — Protecting Your Rights
The high cost of hiring an attorney to protect employment rights should not be a deterrent to an OEA member. Each year, the OEA-NEA Legal Services Program provides paid legal representation to members who are forced to take legal action in a matter relating to their job.
Shaping a Vision for Accurate, Meaningful State Report Cards
OEA is calling for an end to the use of arbitrary letter grades and questionable methodologies that are biased against low-income districts. Our goal is to make report cards easier to understand so that they are more useful for parents and the community.
OEA Higher Education Benefit
Imagine What You Can Achieve with the OEA Higher Education Benefit – for FREE. Visit FreeCollege.OHEA.org to learn more.
Month-at-Glance — Featured Events
OEA Master Calendar
- 2020-2021 Online Master Calendar — (How to submit and use the calendar portal.)
Wellness Wednesday: Guiding the Gatekeepers
Wellness Wednesdays: Help the Helpers Circle
OEA-AE/OEA/ONE Conference
Wellness Wednesdays: Let’s Get Physical
Wellness Wednesday: DeStress Disco Bash!!!
Additional Events
Ohio Educational Foundation
Ohio Educational Foundation
“To support causes related to advancing and supporting education professionals and public-school students in Ohio.” — Mission Statement, Ohio Educational Foundation
Wellness Wednesdays: Coping with COVID
Wellness Wednesdays: Coping with COVID
OEA’s Wellness Cadre is launching a series of “Wellness Wednesdays” for the remainder of the school year.
OEA Endorses Correthers, Walters and Stein for STRS Board
OEA Endorses Correthers, Walters and Stein for STRS Board
Each year the State Teachers Retirement Board (STRS) elects members of its retirement board for 4-year terms. OEA has endorsed Carol Correthers, Bob Stein, and Rita Walters.
