OHIO EDUCATION: FROM A.B.C.S TO MAGA-ZED - THE ALPHABET SOUP OF CHAOS (AKA FLAMING VOUCHERS)

OHIO EDUCATION: FROM A.B.C.S TO MAGA-ZED - THE ALPHABET SOUP OF CHAOS (AKA FLAMING VOUCHERS)

Ohio's education system has become the center of attention, and it's not because they've discovered a new way to teach math that actually makes sense. No, it's because Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has passed a bill that is hell-bent on destroying the public school system. And, let's be honest, who needs an educated populace anyway? Ignorance is bliss, right?

The bill, known as HB 33, is part of the state's budget bill, and it's causing quite a stir. The policy would transfer much of the power from the Board of Education, which includes publicly elected officials, to a governor-appointed director who would then appoint deputy directors. This has caused seven board members to file a lawsuit against its enforcement, claiming that it's unconstitutional.

But, let's be real, who needs democracy when you have a governor-appointed director? It's not like the people of Ohio have any say in how their education system is run. And who needs local control when you can have a governor-appointed director? It's not like the people who actually live in the community know what's best for their kids.

Opponents of the bill argue that it will undermine public education, democracy, and local control in Ohio. They assert that the overhaul will violate the state constitution, which grants the OSBE the authority to supervise public education in Ohio. They also argue that the overhaul will diminish the voice of voters, parents, teachers, and students in education matters, and give too much power to the governor and business interests.

But who needs voters, parents, teachers, and students when you can have the governor and business interests making all the decisions? It's not like they have any ulterior motives or anything.

The opponents of the bill fear that it will lead to more privatization, standardization, testing, and inequity in Ohio's education system. But who needs equity when you can have a two-tiered education system where only the rich can afford to send their kids to private schools? It's not like education is a right or anything.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced that although a court order had delayed a Republican-backed overhaul of the state's K-12 education system, part of it would still take effect. A lawsuit challenging the overhaul argued that it violated the constitution, and a court magistrate ordered a temporary restraining order until a judge could decide to put it on hold indefinitely.

But who needs courts when you have a governor-appointed director? It's not like they'll be biased or anything.

DeWine stated that the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce would replace the Ohio Department of Education, ensuring that necessary operations such as school funding and approval of voucher applications would continue. The new department would function despite the court order, DeWine added, but his office would not take any affirmative action on major decisions still pending, such as appointing a new director of the department.

But who needs checks and balances when you have a governor-appointed director? It's not like they'll abuse their power or anything.

The law is currently facing a legal challenge in the Ohio Supreme Court. A group of plaintiffs, including the Ohio Education Association and the League of Women Voters, argue that the law is unconstitutional because it gives the governor too much power over the state's education system. The Supreme Court is expected to rule on the case in the coming months.

But who needs the Supreme Court when you have a governor-appointed director? It's not like they'll be biased or anything.

In summary, Ohio's education system is being overhauled by a bunch of right-wing goodies who are hell-bent on destroying public education. But who needs public education when you can have privatization, standardization, testing, and inequity? It's not like education is important or anything. And who needs democracy when you can have a governor-appointed director? It's not like the people of Ohio have any say in how their education system is run. 

So sit back, relax, and watch as Ohio's education system goes up in flames. It's going to be a wild ride.

How Ohio's overhaul of K-12 schooling became a flashpoint - ABC News https://abcnews.go.com/US/overhaul-12-education-center-lawsuit-ohio/story?id=103655330 

DeWine says new education department can exist, despite court order https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/politics/2023/10/02/gov-mike-dewine-to-speak-at-515-about-education-department-lawsuit/71036139007/

Part of Ohio's GOP-backed K-12 education overhaul to take effect | 10tv.com https://www.10tv.com/article/news/local/ohio/part-of-ohios-gop-backed-k-12-education-overhaul-take-effect-despite-court-order/530-c57b3054-6c23-470d-9cbb-8922509adc16 

THE DEFT DIVE

FROM BARD AI

Ohio's GOP-backed K-12 education overhaul, signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine in March 2023, is one of the most significant changes to the state's education system in decades. The law makes a number of changes, including:

• * **Shifting oversight of the state education department from the elected Ohio State Board of Education to a director appointed by the governor.** The law also creates a new cabinet-level position of Secretary of Education and Workforce Development, who will oversee the new education department.
• * **Giving the governor more power over the state's education curriculum.** The law requires the governor to appoint a new State Board of Education, which will be responsible for setting academic standards. The law also gives the governor the power to veto any changes to the state's curriculum.
• * **Expanding school choice options for families.** The law creates a new scholarship program that will allow students to attend private schools using public funds. The law also expands the state's existing voucher program and makes it easier for charter schools to open.
• * **Requiring teachers to undergo more training on topics such as civics and social justice.** The law also requires teachers to post their lesson plans online and to allow parents to opt their children out of lessons that they find objectionable.

The law has been met with mixed reactions from education stakeholders. Supporters of the law argue that it will give parents more control over their children's education and improve the quality of education in Ohio. Opponents of the law argue that it will give the governor too much control over the state's education system and that it will harm public schools.

The law is currently facing a legal challenge in the Ohio Supreme Court. A group of plaintiffs, including the Ohio Education Association and the League of Women Voters, argue that the law is unconstitutional because it gives the governor too much power over the state's education system. The Supreme Court is expected to rule on the case in the coming months.

Regardless of the outcome of the legal challenge, the Ohio's GOP-backed K-12 education overhaul is a significant change to the state's education system. The law is likely to have a major impact on students, parents, teachers, and administrators across Ohio.

In addition to the changes listed above, the law also includes a number of other provisions, such as:

• * **Creating a new accountability system for schools.** The law requires the state to develop a new system for measuring school performance. The system will take into account factors such as student test scores, graduation rates, and chronic absenteeism.
• * **Providing more funding for early childhood education.** The law increases funding for Ohio's Early Head Start program, which provides early childhood education services to low-income families.
• * **Expanding access to mental health services for students.** The law requires schools to provide mental health assessments to students who are struggling academically or behaviorally. The law also provides funding for schools to hire more mental health counselors and social workers.

The law is still in its early stages of implementation, so it is too early to say what its long-term impact will be. However, the law has the potential to significantly change the way that education is delivered in Ohio.

FROM BING AI

Ohio's GOP-backed K-12 education overhaul is a controversial legislation that aims to restructure the state's education system and create a new department of education and workforce. The overhaul was passed as part of the state budget in June 2023 and was supposed to take effect on October 1, 2023. However, a lawsuit filed by seven Ohio State Board of Education members and some parents challenged the constitutionality of the overhaul and sought to block its implementation. A county judge issued a temporary restraining order on September 21, 2023, halting the overhaul until further notice.

The main features of the overhaul are:

• - It abolishes the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) and replaces it with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW), which will be headed by a director appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate. The director will have broad powers over the state's education policies, standards, assessments, funding, and accountability.
• - It reduces the size and role of the Ohio State Board of Education (OSBE), which is currently composed of 19 members, 11 elected and eight appointed by the governor. The overhaul reduces the number of elected members to five, one from each congressional district, and eliminates the appointed members. The OSBE will no longer have authority over the state superintendent of public instruction, who will be appointed by the DEW director. The OSBE will also lose its oversight over charter schools, vouchers, and other education programs.
• - It creates a new Ohio Commission on Student Success (OCSS), which will consist of 15 members appointed by the governor, legislative leaders, and business groups. The OCSS will advise the DEW director on various education issues, such as curriculum, graduation requirements, career pathways, workforce development, and data collection.

The proponents of the overhaul argue that it will bring more efficiency, accountability, and innovation to Ohio's education system, which they say is failing to meet the needs of students and employers in the 21st century. They claim that the overhaul will streamline the bureaucracy, reduce political interference, align education with workforce demands, and empower local districts and schools to make decisions that best suit their communities.

The opponents of the overhaul contend that it will undermine public education, democracy, and local control in Ohio. They assert that the overhaul will violate the state constitution, which grants the OSBE the authority to supervise public education in Ohio. They also argue that the overhaul will diminish the voice of voters, parents, teachers, and students in education matters, and give too much power to the governor and business interests. They fear that the overhaul will lead to more privatization, standardization, testing, and inequity in Ohio's education system.

Bing, 10/3/2023

• (1) Part of Ohio’s GOP-backed K-12 education overhaul will take effect despite court order. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/part-of-ohios-gop-backed-k-12-education-overhaul-will-take-effect-despite-court-order/ar-AA1hBj0k.
• (2) Ohio judge puts massive GOP-backed education overhaul on hold. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/ohio-judge-puts-massive-gop-backed-education-overhaul-hold.
• (3) Overhaul of Ohio's K-12 Education System Is Unconstitutional, New Lawsuit Says. https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/ohio/articles/2023-09-19/overhaul-of-ohios-k-12-education-system-is-unconstitutional-new-lawsuit-says.
• (4) Part of Ohio's GOP-Backed K-12 Education Overhaul Will Take Effect .... https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/ohio/articles/2023-10-02/part-of-ohios-gop-backed-k-12-education-overhaul-will-take-effect-despite-court-order.
• (5) Part of Ohio's GOP-backed K-12 education overhaul will take effect .... https://apnews.com/article/ohio-education-state-board-overhaul-lawsuit-8c31c3714d122490c8f1bd2a4891aa84.
• (6) Ohio judge puts massive GOP-backed education overhaul on hold. https://www.allsides.com/news/2023-09-22-0830/politics-ohio-judge-puts-massive-gop-backed-education-overhaul-hold.
• (7) Ohio Judge Issues Temporary Restraining Order, Halting GOP-Backed K-12 .... https://www.bollyinside.com/news/education/ohio-judge-issues-temporary-restraining-order-halting-gop-backed-k-12-education-overhaul/.
• (8) GOP-proposed overhaul of Ohio's education system clears Senate .... https://www.foxnews.com/politics/gop-proposed-overhaul-ohios-education-system-clears-senate-committee-vote-full-senate.
• (9) Ohio Senate panel Oks bill to overhaul education oversight - WOUB. https://woub.org/2023/03/01/an-ohio-senate-panel-oks-a-bill-to-overhaul-ohios-education-oversight/.
• (10) Judge temporarily blocks overhaul of Ohio's K-12 educational system. https://www.wcpo.com/news/state/state-ohio/judge-temporarily-blocks-overhaul-of-ohios-k-12-educational-system.