Legislative Watch – November 19, 2021
Urge Gov. DeWine to Veto Unconstitutional Redistricting Plan; Bill to Change Training Requirements for Armed School Staff Passes Ohio House
OEA urges swift Senate passage of Build Back Better act
Ohio Education Association celebrates big wins for children and public schools in Build Back Better plan; urges swift Senate passage
Legislative Watch – November 5, 2021
OEA Continues to Oppose House Bill 99; Republicans Unveil Proposed Congressional Maps; HB 327 – Anti-Freedom in the Classroom Bill Undermines Honesty in Education
Big wins for pro-public education candidates should give state lawmakers marching orders
Ohio Education Association: Big wins for pro-public education candidates should send strong message to state lawmakers
OEA & NEA Recommend Tim Ryan for U.S. Senate
NEA President Becky Pringle: “Tim Ryan is a champion for America’s students and Ohio’s working families.”
Student Loan Forgiveness ZOOM Workshops
The demand for information about loan forgiveness increased exponentially following the announcement of the Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program overhaul announced by the Department of Education on October 6. By popular demand, NEA Member Benefits is offering additional Student Loan Forgiveness ZOOM workshops in November.
OEA Condemns Substitute House Bill 327
Ohio Education Association condemns attacks on honesty in education contained in Substitute House Bill 327, warns of dire consequences
OEA & OFT Oppose Bill That Endangers Students
Ohio Federation of Teachers and Ohio Education Association Oppose Legislation That Endangers Students
State report cards should spur districts to spend ARP funds
Ohio Education Association: State report cards highlight need for districts to spend federal ARP money, protect public school state funding
Legislative Watch – September 29, 2021
SB 1 – Ohio House Passes Financial Literacy Graduation Requirement and Extends Substitute Teacher Hiring Flexibility
Legislative Watch – September 24, 2021
HB 322 and HB 327 – Bills Prohibiting “Divisive” Concepts Get Opponent Testimony; SB 1 – Financial Literacy Graduation Requirement and Substitute Teacher Flexibility
OEA’s testimony against HB 322 and HB 327
OEA President Scott DiMauro delivered testimony against HB 322 and HB 327 on September 22, 2021.
September 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.
Bring Mock Elections to your students this November
The November election is quickly approaching and now is the time to plan a mock election for your school. Kids Voting Ohio has created a simple system that is free to educators and gives students a chance to learn the importance of voting as well civic involvement in an engaging and fun way
OTES 2.0 Implementation Modules
AN OEA Member Resource: OTES 20 Implementation Modules. 6 Different Modules to support bargaining, implementation, procedures and understanding of the new Ohio Teacher Evaluation System 2.0. Register for these zoom events held September-December 2021.
Legislative Watch – September 10, 2021
On Thursday, the Ohio Redistricting Commission introduced legislative maps created by staffers for the Senate and House Republicans. These maps were adopted by the Commission 5-2 on a party-line vote as a “starting point.” This plan is wholly inadequate and fails to meet the demands of the Constitutional amendment passed by voters to end partisan gerrymandering.
OEA, citing data, calls for school districts to issue temporary mask mandates
Ohio Education Association, citing data, calls for school districts to issue temporary mask mandates until Delta variant poses significantly less danger to students and staff.
Legislative Watch – September 3, 2021
Redistricting Commission Blows by First Deadline for District Maps
OEA’s redistricting testimony
OEA President Scott DiMauro and OEA Vice President Jeff Wensing delivered testimonies to the Ohio Redistricting Commission. These were their submitted testimonies.
Fall 2021 OEA COVID FAQ
As part of OEA’s commitment to monitoring the impact of COVID-19 on our members, we want provide ways to advocate for yourself during this public health crisis. OEA strongly recommends that members contact their local association presidents and LRC’s when they have questions and/or concerns regarding any educational, workplace, or health and safety issue during the mandated COVID-19 school closure.
OEA Statement on Latest Mask Wearing Guidance
Ohio Education Association issues statement about latest COVID-19 mask wearing guidance from CDC and others
Student Loan Debt Among Educators Report
The effects of the national educator student loan crisis ripple beyond our schools. Canceling student debt makes our communities healthier, happier, and more prosperous. It's time for Sec Cardona to #CancelStudentDebt and keep the promise of public service loan forgiveness.
Ohio Education Association praises decision to implement Fair School Funding Plan in state budget; Concerned about future funding commitment
The Ohio Education Association commends the Conference Committee decision to use the Fair School Funding Plan as the state’s school funding mechanism for the next two school years. However, OEA is concerned about the state’s future commitment to the plan, which if not fully funded will continue to shortchange Ohio’s 1.6 million public school students.
OEA Condemns Bills Seeking to Ban ‘Divisive Concepts’ in Ohio Schools
OEA President Scott DiMauro released a statement in opposition to House Bills 327 and 322, which both aim to ban Ohio’s public schools from teaching so-called “divisive concepts,” after hearings in the House State and Local Government Committee Tuesday morning.
American Rescue Plan and Fair School Funding Plan – Brown Bag webinar events
This content is for OEA members only.
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
Putting Education First – Messaging Guidance for Local Leaders
This content is for OEA members only.
OEA on the Issues | OEA Legislative Scorecard | Find My Ohio Legislators
Protect Your Students. Protect Your Contract. Protect Your Profession.
Student Loan Debt Among Educators Report
The effects of the national educator student loan crisis ripple beyond our schools. Canceling student debt makes our communities healthier, happier, and more prosperous. It's time for Sec Cardona to #CancelStudentDebt and keep the promise of public service loan forgiveness.
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.
Student Loan Forgiveness ZOOM Workshops
The demand for information about loan forgiveness increased exponentially following the announcement of the Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program overhaul announced by the Department of Education on October 6. By popular demand, NEA Member Benefits is offering additional Student Loan Forgiveness ZOOM workshops in November.
Month-at-Glance — Featured Events
OEA Master Calendar
- Online Master Calendar — (How to submit and use the calendar portal.)
Wellness Wednesday: Cookie Decorating
Bargaining Bootcamp – Independence
Wellness Wednesday: Virtual Paint and Sip
Wellness Wednesday: Roundtable Discussion
Wellness Wednesday: Letting Go!!
Additional Events
OEA Awards & Scholarships
OEA Awards & Scholarships
Awards & Scholarships | OEA is pleased to celebrate, honor, and reward the outstanding work of our members and local affiliates who have made special contributions to the improvement of public education.
Educator Voice Academies
Educator Voice Academies
Overview Since the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was signed into law in 2015, much has changed in the landscape of public education and within the affiliates of the National Education Association (NEA). For example, the COVID-19 …
Wellness Wednesdays: Coping with COVID
Wellness Wednesdays: Coping with COVID
Save the date for OEA’s Wellness Cadre “Wellness Wednesdays” events
OTES 2.0 Implementation Modules
OTES 2.0 Implementation Modules
AN OEA Member Resource: OTES 20 Implementation Modules. 6 Different Modules to support bargaining, implementation, procedures and understanding of the new Ohio Teacher Evaluation System 2.0. Register for these zoom events held September-December 2021.
Fall 2021 OEA COVID FAQ
Fall 2021 OEA COVID FAQ
As part of OEA’s commitment to monitoring the impact of COVID-19 on our members, we want provide ways to advocate for yourself during this public health crisis. OEA strongly recommends that members contact their local association presidents and LRC’s when they have questions and/or concerns regarding any educational, workplace, or health and safety issue during the mandated COVID-19 school closure.
