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Keep House-passed Language on Repealing Flawed State Takeover Law

Keep House-passed Language on Repealing Flawed State Takeover Law

Wednesday, May 29, 2019, before the Ohio Senate Education Committee, Ohio Education Association (OEA) President Becky Higgins called on legislators to keep the provisions of House Bill 154 that were included in the state budget recently passed by the House.

“We urge the Senate to keep the language in the House-passed budget that is part of HB 154 and that would do away with state-mandated Academic Distress Commissions.” — OEA President Becky Higgins

Image: Distressed student surrounded by books“There is widespread agreement – among educators, local officials and state lawmakers of both parties, that the law (HB 70) mandating the state takeover of troubled school districts is flawed and needs to be replaced,” said Higgins.

“We very much like the approach taken by HB 154, which would repeal HB 70 and restore local control and which recently passed the House with strong bipartisan support (83-12). We urge the Senate to keep the language in the House-passed budget that is part of HB 154 and that would do away with state-mandated Academic Distress Commissions.”

Higgins also added, “we recognize that other approaches are being offered to address the problems that plague troubled schools in our state. Whatever the eventual agreed-upon plan looks like, we believe strongly that it should include a role for educators who well understand the needs of their students and what it will take to improve student performance.

In short, we don’t need state mandates. It’s time to restore local control of our schools. We look forward to working with Senator Lehner and members of the Senate Education Committee on a viable alternative to the current fatally-flawed state takeover law.”

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Legislative Issues
Legislative Issues and Political Action

2019 Spring OEA Rep. Assembly Highlights

My Story, My Struggle
“My Story, My Struggle” by Sophia Jeng, Kings High School, Warren OH. Sponsored by the SouthWestern Ohio Education Association

“Suffocating on AIR” — The Fort Hayes Flow Fam Slam Team
“Suffocating on AIR” by the The Fort Hayes Flow Fam Slam, an award-winning poetry slam team from the Columbus Ft. Hayes Metropolitan High School. Pictured from left-right: Odessa Robinson, Kallee Bernish-Good, Dulci Ramirez-Abercrombie, and Playon Patrick. They’re accompanied by their coach, Ft. Hayes HS English teacher (and alum) Nancy de Leon; and, Media Specialist, and team advocate Courtney Johnson. Sponsored by the Columbus Education Association.

Retirement Recognition of Pres. Becky Higgins
The retirement recognition of current OEA Pres. Becky Higgins, who is also concluding her second term. With special announcements from:

  • United States Senator Sherrod Brown
  • Nicole Stratton — Copley Teachers Association/OEA
  • Former U.S. Representative Betty Sutton
  • OEA Secretary-Treasurer Mark Hill/OEA
  • OEA Executive Director Sheryl Mathis/OEA

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Events
OEA Member
Representative Assembly

Ohio Education Association Elects New President And Vice President

[Columbus, May 13, 2019] ─ Members of the Ohio Education Association (OEA), the state’s largest public employee union, have elected Scott DiMauro to a three-year term as President, and Jeff Wensing to a three-year term as Vice President.  Both will take office on July 15, 2019. The current President, Becky Higgins, is term-limited after having served two three-year terms.

The election of the two officers took place over the weekend at the OEA’s Representative Assembly (RA), the governing body of the organization. Nearly 1,000 member delegates from OEA local affiliates throughout Ohio participated in the RA.

DiMauro, who currently serves as OEA’s Vice President, has been an active OEA member throughout his teaching career. He was a social studies teacher at Worthington Kilbourne High School before being elected as OEA’s Vice President in 2013.

OEA Vice President-elect Jeff Wensing is a 26-year high school math teacher from Parma, Ohio. Prior to his election as OEA Vice-President, Wensing served as the President of the Parma Education Association and as the President of the North Eastern Ohio Education Association.

OEA represents 122,000 teachers, education support professionals and higher-education faculty.

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2019 Press Releases
Membership
Representative Assembly

HB 154: Proponent Testimony – Becky Higgins

April 9, 2019

Image: Becky Higgins, Ohio Statehouse, April 9, 2019
(April 9, 2019) OEA Pres. Becky Higgins (center) provides proponent testimony on behalf of HB 154 to the Ohio House Education Committee. Standing in solidarity are Jay Pickering (left) of the Lorain EA and Larry Ellis (right) of the Youngstown EA.

Good evening Chair Blessing, Ranking Member Robinson and members of the House Education Committee. On behalf of our 122,000 members, I am Becky Higgins, President of the Ohio Education Association.

I am here today to ask for your support for House Bill 154.

Also with me is Larry Ellis, the local president of the Youngstown Education Association and Jay Pickering, the local president of Lorain Education Association. Matt Dotson with OEA Government Relations is also here and can assist with any questions you may have.

As you might imagine, the fact that two former teachers are the bi-partisan joint sponsors of House Bill 154 is a big part of why we are strongly supportive of this bill.

These gentlemen, Representatives Jones and Miller, know first-hand what is needed to meet the challenges of providing a quality education in troubled school districts. And the current state takeover law is not getting the job done.

The state takeover and the resulting loss of local control in Youngstown, Lorain and East Cleveland schools has not helped the students in those districts.

If current law is not changed, over the next two years state government could take away local control from Dayton, Columbus, Canton, Mansfield, Lima, Toledo, Ashtabula, Euclid, North College Hill and Painesville schools.

It’s time for this to end. Let’s not do any more damage to other school districts.

We support House Bill 154 because it would do the following:

  • Repeal the ill-conceived law that allows the state to takeover local school districts that are deemed to be in trouble.
  • Restore local control to elected school boards.
  • Hold school districts accountable by requiring school improvement teams in F-rated school buildings.

As my colleagues and our fellow OEA members in Youngstown and Lorain have experienced, the current state takeover law provides no citizen oversight through elected school boards, no voice for classroom teachers and has been bad for our kids.

Our experience in Youngstown and Lorain has demonstrated that the Academic Distress Commission/CEO model does not work. We believe that no more districts should be taken over, and that the districts that have been taken over should be relieved of that burden. That is why the first part of House Bill 154 is so important – repeal.

It is also important to note that state takeovers are based on misleading state report cards that severely penalize students and districts in poverty.

After the failed state takeover law is repealed and local control is restored, OEA stands ready to partner with the House Education Committee to fix Ohio’s broken and deceptive report card system.

Thank you for this opportunity to testify in support of House Bill 154.

We are available for any questions you may have.

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2019 Press Releases

HB 154: Proponent Testimony – Becky Higgins

Image: Becky Higgins, Ohio Statehouse, April 9, 2019
(April 9, 2019) OEA Pres. Becky Higgins (center) provides proponent testimony on behalf of HB 154 to the Ohio House Education Committee. Standing in solidarity are Jay Pickering (left) of the Lorain EA and Larry Ellis (right) of the Youngstown EA.

Good evening Chair Blessing, Ranking Member Robinson and members of the House Education Committee. On behalf of our 122,000 members, I am Becky Higgins, President of the Ohio Education Association.

I am here today to ask for your support for House Bill 154. Also with me is Larry Ellis, the local president of the Youngstown Education Association and Jay Pickering, the local president of Lorain Education Association. Matt Dotson with OEA Government Relations is also here and can assist with any questions you may have.

As you might imagine, the fact that two former teachers are the bi-partisan joint sponsors of House Bill 154 is a big part of why we are strongly supportive of this bill.

These gentlemen, Representatives Jones and Miller, know first-hand what is needed to meet the challenges of providing a quality education in troubled school districts. And the current state takeover law is not getting the job done.

“The state takeover and the resulting loss of local control in Youngstown, Lorain and East Cleveland schools has not helped the students in those districts.”

If current law is not changed, over the next two years state government could take away local control from Dayton, Columbus, Canton, Mansfield, Lima, Toledo, Ashtabula, Euclid, North College Hill and Painesville schools.

It’s time for this to end. Let’s not do any more damage to other school districts.

We support House Bill 154 because it would do the following:

  • Repeal the ill-conceived law that allows the state to takeover local school districts that are deemed to be in trouble.
  • Restore local control to elected school boards.
  • Hold school districts accountable by requiring school improvement teams in F-rated school buildings.
Image: Julie Garcia, Lorain EA, also a proponent of HB 154 shares the realities of how HB 70 has been a total failure in Lorain.
Pictured: Julie Garcia, Lorain EA, also a proponent of HB 154, shares the realities of how HB 70 has been a total failure in Lorain.

As my colleagues and our fellow OEA members in Youngstown and Lorain have experienced, the current state takeover law provides no citizen oversight through elected school boards, no voice for classroom teachers and has been bad for our kids.

Our experience in Youngstown and Lorain has demonstrated that the Academic Distress Commission/CEO model does not work. We believe that no more districts should be taken over, and that the districts that have been taken over should be relieved of that burden. That is why the first part of House Bill 154 is so important – repeal.

It is also important to note that state takeovers are based on misleading state report cards that severely penalize students and districts in poverty.

After the failed state takeover law is repealed and local control is restored, OEA stands ready to partner with the House Education Committee to fix Ohio’s broken and deceptive report card system.

Thank you for this opportunity to testify in support of House Bill 154.

We are available for any questions you may have.

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About Voices of Change

OEA Statement on Cupp-Patterson Plan

March 25, 2019

For Immediate Release
Contact: Melissa Clark, (614) 309-4769 (cell)

OEA Welcomes Opportunity to Improve School Funding

COLUMBUS – OEA President Becky Higgins today commended the work of Representatives Bob Cupp (R – Lima) and John Patterson (D – Ashtabula) and members of the funding work group for tackling the way Ohio funds our students and schools.

“The current school funding formula is a patchwork of band-aids that does not provide adequate funding nor is it driven by what constitutes a high-quality education,” said Higgins.

“OEA believes that Ohio must enact a student-centered formula that is fair, adequate and predictable and that ensures that all students have the resources to succeed regardless of where they live or their family’s income. We look forward to working with Reps. Cupp and Patterson and other lawmakers toward that end during the course of the budget debate.”

The Ohio Education Association represents 122,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals in Ohio’s public schools, colleges and universities.

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2019 Press Releases

OEA Applauds Governor’s Proposal to Expand Student Wrap-around Services

March 15, 2019 • COLUMBUS — Ohio Education Association President Becky Higgins said she is encouraged by Governor Mike DeWine’s pledge to invest in Ohio’s public schools and to do what it takes to support the students they serve.

“We are particularly pleased with the Governor’s proposal to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in a special fund for schools to form community partnerships to help at-risk students,” said Higgins. “As the Governor noted, educators believe that these so-called wrap-around services are critical to meeting student needs. By acknowledging the need to address student health, trauma and related issues, the Governor has demonstrated that he has listened to Ohio’s educators.”

“We of course need to see the details of the Governor’s budget to evaluate more fully his other proposals”

Higgins added: We are heartened by what he had to say today and we look forward to working with the administration and the legislature to ensure that adequate funds are provided to meet the needs of all K-12 students.”

The Ohio Education Association represents 122,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals in Ohio’s public schools, colleges and universities.

Click here to read member’s #OverTestedOH & #RedForEd Voices and How to Make a Stand

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About Voices of Change

OEA Applauds Governor’s Proposal to Expand Student Wrap-around Services

March 15, 2019 • COLUMBUS — Ohio Education Association President Becky Higgins said she is encouraged by Governor Mike DeWine’s pledge to invest in Ohio’s public schools and to do what it takes to support the students they serve.

“We are particularly pleased with the Governor’s proposal to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in a special fund for schools to form community partnerships to help at-risk students,” said Higgins. “As the Governor noted, educators believe that these so-called wrap-around services are critical to meeting student needs. By acknowledging the need to address student health, trauma and related issues, the Governor has demonstrated that he has listened to Ohio’s educators.”

“We of course need to see the details of the Governor’s budget to evaluate more fully his other proposals”

Higgins added: We are heartened by what he had to say today and we look forward to working with the administration and the legislature to ensure that adequate funds are provided to meet the needs of all K-12 students.”

The Ohio Education Association represents 122,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals in Ohio’s public schools, colleges and universities.

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2019 Press Releases

Praise For Governor’s State of the State Address

(COLUMBUS, OH, MARCH 5, 2019)

Ohio Education Association President Becky Higgins today offered warm words for Governor Mike DeWine’s first state of the state address.

It is clear from his speech that Governor DeWine cares about Ohio’s children and is ready to do what it takes to support our students,” said OEA President Becky Higgins.

I want to thank the Governor for his recognition of Ohio’s dedicated teachers and the important role they play in the lives of their students. Too often, this is left unsaid by state leaders.”

“OEA members share the Governor’s commitment to expanding early childhood education, wrap-around services and providing additional resources to meet student needs.”

Higgins also added: “We look forward to working with the Governor and state legislators to achieve these shared goals.”

VIDEO: 2019 State of the State Address — Courtesy of ideastream®

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The Ohio Education Association represents 122,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals in Ohio’s public schools, colleges and universities. Click here to learn more about the Ohio Education Association.

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2019 Press Releases
Legislative Issues and Political Action

Ohio’s 2018 District Report Cards Incomplete, Misleading

Columbus, OH — September 13, 2018 | The Ohio Department of Education (ODE) has released its 2018 Ohio School District Report Cards; but, the more than 600+ district reports cards are misleading.

“Missing are the critical elements that thoroughly evaluate a district’s performance,” said Becky Higgins, president of the Ohio Education Association.

“Unfortunately, as an evaluation of student readiness and academic achievement levels, unfortunately, this tool is too simplistic.”

Higgins added, “socioeconomic factors remain a consistent and reliable predictor of an array educational outcomes…. Unfortunately, as an evaluation of student readiness and academic achievement levels, this tool is too simplistic.”

Accordingly, the OEA continues to urge the General Assembly to pass the proposed report card reforms contained in House Bill 591 (Rep. Mike Duffey—R).

“Reforms include ending the arbitrary districtwide letter grades and replacing them with different, but more realistic performance indicators,” emphasized Higgins.

Additional proposals would also address the misguided state takeover of local school districts that result from the effects of systemic poverty.

Referencing the ODE’s Each Child Our Future, Higgins says the document’s three core principles acknowledge the correlation is real. In its review of Ohio’s educational environment, the strategic plan argues:

1. job categories are changing and require new skill sets;
2. the student body has become a more diverse, with nuanced learning needs; and,
3. increased student exposure to poverty and other adverse childhood experiences.

“Numerous studies continue to support the same,” says Higgins. “Moreover, the current letter-grade system as well as state takeover measures do not help educators to address these barriers,” said Higgins.


The Ohio Education Association represents 125,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals in Ohio’s public schools, colleges and universities.

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2018 Press Releases