Legislative Watch – December 2, 2022
OEA Opposes Proposal to Require Supermajority for Citizen-Led Initiatives; OEA Cautions Against Rush to Restructure Education Governance in Lame Duck Session
December 2022 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.
Take Action to Protect the Will of the People
Democracy in Ohio is facing a new attack with the constitutional amendment proposed by Secretary of State Frank LaRose and State Representative Brian Stewart (R-Ashville). House Joint Resolution 6 (HJR 6) would make it much harder to pass citizen-initiated constitutional amendments in our state by requiring a supermajority of 60% of the vote.
Legislative Watch – November 18, 2022
SBOE Urges Elimination of Mandatory Student Retention Under the TGRG; Proposal Would Limit Powers of State Board; Changes to Elections and Voting Rights Poised to Move in Lame Duck; HB 554 and HB 748
OEA applauds State Board of Education members working to end mandatory retention under “Third Grade Reading Guarantee”
Ohio Senate must pass House Bill 497 before end of this year
October 2022 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.
Annual Student Art Contest
Ohio Schools Magazine is looking for some creative cover ideas... and students' thoughts on what makes their school great! Deadline to submit, March 1, 2023.
Legislative Watch – October 14, 2022
Advocacy Continues to Repeal Mandatory Student Retention; Senate Bill 361 Introduced — Allows Military Veterans to Teach Without Educator License
OEA calls for end of mandatory retention under Third Grade Reading Guarantee
The Ohio Education Association (OEA) joined together Monday with state leaders, educators, and education policy experts to advocate for action in the General Assembly to end mandatory retention tied to third-grade standardized testing.
Student Debt Relief and PSLF Waiver
Last Chance, the PSLF Waiver Is Ending! October is a BIG month for student debt cancellation, and we are pulling out all the stops to make sure educators are ready to make the most of it.
Cleveland Cavaliers Educator Appreciation Games
Join the Cavaliers for an Educator Appreciation Night on Feb 11, 2023 against the Bulls with exclusive fan experiences and offers. Special group discounted tickets to several other games are available throughout the season.
OEA members offer solutions to state’s growing teacher recruitment and retention crisis
As Ohio continues to contend with an alarming decrease in staffing in its K-12 public schools, educators from around Ohio have come together to take on the problem and offer potential solutions.
September 2022 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.
Help end student retention under the Third Grade Reading Guarantee
House Bill 497 - Help end student retention under the Third Grade Reading Guarantee
Celebrate Ohio’s exceptional educators. Nominate an educator in your community today!
Ohio’s educators make a difference in their students’ lives every day. From classroom teachers to paraeducators, professors, bus drivers, school secretaries, custodians, and more, Ohio’s public school employees have dedicated their lives to serving our kids and making our schools great. Help recognize an Education Champion by nominating a special educator!
Public Sector Employment and Political Activism: Using Your Voice While Protecting Your Job
The First Amendment protects all citizens of the United States by limiting the government’s ability to abridge freedom of speech. However, when the government is also a person’s employer things can become a bit more complicated.
OEA Congratulates 2022 National Teacher of the Year Kurt Russell
Oberlin High School teacher Kurt Russell has been named the 2022 National Teacher of the Year by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). Russell had been in the running for this prestigious honor after being selected as the 2022 Ohio Teacher of the Year.
OEA denounces House Bill 616
Ohio Education Association denounces House Bill 616, vows to continue fight to ensure students have freedom to learn and thrive
Unite to oppose House Bill 327
Let’s unite to oppose House Bill 327 – legislation that would force educators to whitewash our history and distract from the real issues facing Ohio’s schools!
OEA condemns latest version of House Bill 327
Ohio Education Association condemns latest version of House Bill 327, vows to continue fight to give Ohio’s children an honest education
Urge Ohio Redistricting Commission to Adopt Fair Maps
Last week, the Ohio Supreme Court rejected highly partisan maps for the state legislature and sent the Ohio Redistricting Commission back to the drawing board. The Court gave the Redistricting Commission just 10 days to agree on new maps that adhere to the Constitution. Please make your voice heard and insist upon fair legislative maps, time is of the essence!
Putting Education First – Messaging Guidance for Local Leaders
This content is for OEA members only.
Help us celebrate OEA’s 175th Anniversary in 2022. Visit the links to learn about and participate in various events.
Invest In Our Public Schools
Opportunity is the cornerstone of public education. As educators, we believe that every student deserves the opportunity to learn and grow through a great public school. Educating all of Ohio students is the best investment we can make in our future — and nothing is more important. That’s why we’re committed to investing in educational opportunities for every Ohio student.
Become an Educator for Ohio’s Future
OEA members can help shape Ohio's future by nurturing a life-long love of learning in our students. No matter who is in office at the local, state or national level, we are the best advocates for Ohio's public schools and the students we serve. Please join the fight for a better future for public education in Ohio. To join, please sign up and become an Educator for Ohio's Future.
Protect Honesty in Education – Oppose HB 322 and HB 327
GUIDE FOR SUBMITTING COMMITTEE TESTIMONY OPPOSING HB 322 AND HB 327
Urge Ohio Redistricting Commission to Adopt Fair Maps
Last week, the Ohio Supreme Court rejected highly partisan maps for the state legislature and sent the Ohio Redistricting Commission back to the drawing board. The Court gave the Redistricting Commission just 10 days to agree on new maps that adhere to the Constitution. Please make your voice heard and insist upon fair legislative maps, time is of the essence!
Local Report Card Changes – Your Educator Voice is Needed
House Bill 82 provided many reforms to the Local Report Card. This bill also required the Ohio State Board of Education to update certain rules by March 31. The Ohio Department of Education (ODE) is now accepting public comments about the proposed changes to these rules. OEA encourages members to access the ODE website and provide educator feedback about the proposed changes to the Local Report Card rules. The deadline to submit comments is February 9.
Unite to oppose House Bill 327
Let’s unite to oppose House Bill 327 – legislation that would force educators to whitewash our history and distract from the real issues facing Ohio’s schools!
Foundation Gala
Thank you to all our attending members and guests who participated in the 2022 Foundation Gala commemorating the OEA 175th anniversary.
OEA marks 175 years as the Voice for Public School Educators and Students
Follow a timeline that traces the early years of the OEA as it grew from an organization founded by a small group of men to a union more than 120,000 members strong
OEA 175th Anniversary Video
Since 1847, the Ohio Education Association has been proud to lead the way for great public schools for every child. As OEA marks its 175th anniversary, members and leaders have been sharing their memories from the last several decades of …
Public Sector Employment and Political Activism: Using Your Voice While Protecting Your Job
The First Amendment protects all citizens of the United States by limiting the government’s ability to abridge freedom of speech. However, when the government is also a person’s employer things can become a bit more complicated.
Help end student retention under the Third Grade Reading Guarantee
House Bill 497 - Help end student retention under the Third Grade Reading Guarantee
Take Action to Protect the Will of the People
Democracy in Ohio is facing a new attack with the constitutional amendment proposed by Secretary of State Frank LaRose and State Representative Brian Stewart (R-Ashville). House Joint Resolution 6 (HJR 6) would make it much harder to pass citizen-initiated constitutional amendments in our state by requiring a supermajority of 60% of the vote.
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.
Wellness Issues and Resources
There is currently an increased need to provide OEA members with information and resource offerings in relation to stress/wellness. This is a roundup of resources to support student and staff mental health.
Month-at-Glance — Featured Events
OEA Master Calendar
- Online Master Calendar — (How to submit and use the calendar portal.)
Additional Events
December – January 2023 Ohio Schools
December – January 2023 Ohio Schools
Power to Change the World: 2023 Ohio Teacher of the Year Melissa Kmetz says the most important lesson she can teach students is to know their power
Cleveland Cavaliers Educator Appreciation Games
Cleveland Cavaliers Educator Appreciation Games
Join the Cavaliers for an Educator Appreciation Night on Feb 11, 2023 against the Bulls with exclusive fan experiences and offers. Special group discounted tickets to several other games are available throughout the season.
2023 Advocacy and Organizing Institute
2023 Advocacy and Organizing Institute
Registration is now open for the 2023 OEA Advocacy and Organizing Institute This year’s institute is full of learning opportunities from sessions on health insurance, contract enforcement, and bargaining styles to new offerings like “We Got Your Back, Bargaining Contract …
Celebrate Ohio’s exceptional educators. Nominate an educator in your community today!
Celebrate Ohio’s exceptional educators. Nominate an educator in your community today!
Ohio’s educators make a difference in their students’ lives every day. From classroom teachers to paraeducators, professors, bus drivers, school secretaries, custodians, and more, Ohio’s public school employees have dedicated their lives to serving our kids and making our schools great. Help recognize an Education Champion by nominating a special educator!
