Model Curriculum for Instruction on Student Interactions with Peace Officers
In January of 2021, Senate Bill 68 Section 3301.0721 – Ohio Revised Code | Ohio Laws (Williams- Cleveland) of the 133rd General Assembly was signed into law by Ohio Governor DeWine. The law requires the State Board of Education to adopt model curriculum for high school students to be used in at least one course required for high school graduation on “proper” interactions with peace officers during traffic stops and other in-person encounters with peace officers. The model curriculum shall include information on the following:
- A person’s rights during an interaction with a peace officer.
- Proper actions for interacting with a peace officer.
- Which individuals are considered peace officers, and their duties and responsibilities.
- Laws regarding questioning and detention by peace officers, including any law requiring a person to present proof of identity to a peace officer, and the consequences for a person’s or officer’s failure to comply with those laws.
- Demonstrations and role-play activities in a classroom setting that allow students to understand how interactions between civilians and peace officers can and should unfold.
The law also allows school districts to modify the instruction in the model curriculum as appropriate for the district’s community. In modifying the instruction, the district shall solicit input from local law enforcement agencies, driver training schools, and the public.
SB 68 Curriculum on “Proper” Interactions with Peace Officers Implementation Process
The Ohio Department of Education convened a workgroup to develop the draft curriculum and an advisory group to provide feedback and suggestions about the proposed curriculum. The draft model curriculum can be viewed here Draft- Student Interactions with Peace Officers Model Curriculum (ohio.gov). The draft curriculum was open for public comment until April 4, 2022. OEA submitted comments regarding the curriculum. You can view OEA President Scott DiMauro’s letter here. Extensive comments were received from stakeholders during the public comment period. Since the public comment period closed:
- ODE has reviewed all comments and provided a summary and the full data report for review.
- The SB 68 Advisory Group met in April, May and June to discuss the public comments and to provide feedback and suggestions;
- Based upon extensive feedback from the public, stakeholders, and the SB68 Advisory Group, the draft model curriculum continues to be revised by the SB68 Working Group and ODE.
- Meetings to revise the draft model curriculum are scheduled for the SB68 Working Group for multiple dates in September.
- Once the draft model curriculum is revised, it will be introduced to the Teaching, Leading, and Learning committee of the State Board of Education.
- A proposed timeline for committee approval and full State Board of Education approval may be introduced during that committee meeting;
- This curriculum will be a requirement of graduation for students who enter high school for the first time in the Fall of 2022.
