As the state budget process comes to a close, the big issue being negotiated in conference committee is what to do about Ohio's school funding system. OEA President Scott DiMauro shares his analysis and reflects on other major issues for our schools, including the importance of honesty in education and enjoying a true summer of fun.
Show Notes
ACTION ALERT: Urge your state lawmakers to support the Fair School Funding Plan now!
SHOW US YOUR SUMMER OF FUN: OEA Members, submit your photos here.
Featured Education Matters guest:
- Scott DiMauro, Ohio Education Association President
- A high school social studies teacher from Worthington, Scott DiMauro was elected President of the OEA in 2019 after having served as vice president for six years. Over his 30-year career as an educator, Scott has worked to provide students the critical thinking and decision-making skills they need to be successful citizens in our democratic society. He has likewise advocated for students, educators and strong public schools at all levels of his union.
- Connect with Scott on Twitter and Facebook
In this episode:
"We have a chance to get the ball over the goal line and really achieve an historic win for kids in Ohio, but these next few days and week or so are going to be so critical in that effort."
- 1:40 - "We are at a critical stage."
- 2:40 - The shortcomings of the Senate education funding plan
What would the bipartisan, House-passed Fair School Funding Plan mean for your local district? Click here to find out.
- 4:00 - Confronting disingenuous objections to the Fair School Funding Plan
- 5:10 - "The Senate is doing the same thing politicians have been doing for decades, and that is coming up with essentially an arbitrary amount - You know, it's $110 more than it was four years ago; $6100 per student, as opposed to the House plan when it's fully phased in will be, on average, $7200 per student - and what we saw with the Senate plan is kind of a classic move by Ohio politicians, and that is come up with a number that's "sellable," a number that politically, we can get done, and then back in a rationale for why that number makes sense. And this hasn't worked."
- 6:15 - Ohio House Speaker Bob Cupp's leadership on the Fair School Funding Plan
- 6:45 - Anticipating hard negotiations in Conference Committee weighing what's best for the 90 percent of Ohio's students that attend public schools and the prioritization of privatization of Ohio's schools by some state leaders.
- 8:45 - The role of educators and community members in advocating for the Fair School Funding Plan
- 9:30 - Looking to the governor for leadership
- 11:30 - Other big education issues Ohioans should be focused on: State takeovers, testing reduction, and reforming the state report card system.
- 13:00 - Honesty in education: "People that are looking to divert attention away from critical issues like fully and fairly funding our schools instead are looking at opportunities to exploit fear and foment division by advancing bills - and we've seen two that received sponsor testimony yesterday in Ohio, but there's a number of states across the country - bills that, in one way or another, would ban the teaching of 'divisive issues' and content related to race. We find that very, very disturbing."
- 14:15 - Teaching students to be good critical thinkers and problem solvers by teaching students the whole truth about our country.
- 15:55 - "We have an obligation to stand up for our students, for what they need and deserve; we have an obligation to stand up for our members - educators and their academic freedom, and respecting their professionalism - and also standing up for local control of curriculum."
- 17:50 - A social studies teacher's perspective: "You've got to dig a little deeper than the 'George Washington and the cherry tree' understanding of history to really understand the good, the bad, and the ugly, because if we don't understand the problems we face as a nation, how can we ever get better?"
- 19:30 - Coming out of a year of education amid a global pandemic, OEA is emphasizing the importance of a summer of fun
OEA Members, show off your Summer of Fun & see yourself on TV | Learn more and submit your photos here.
Connect with us:
About us:
- The Ohio Education Association represents about 120,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals who work in Ohio’s schools, colleges, and universities to help improve public education and the lives of Ohio’s children. OEA members provide professional services to benefit students, schools, and the public in virtually every position needed to run Ohio’s schools.
- Education Matters host Katie Olmsted serves as Media Relations Consultant for the Ohio Education Association. She joined OEA in May, 2020, after a ten-year career as a television reporter, anchor, and producer. Katie comes from a family of educators and is passionate about telling educators' stories and advocating for Ohio's students.
This episode was recorded June 16, 2021.
What is Public Education Matters?
Ohio's public schools serve 1.6 million children - 90 percent of students in the state! What happens in the classroom has impacts far beyond the walls of the K-12 school building or higher ed lecture hall. So, on behalf of the 120,000 members of the Ohio Education Association, we're taking a deeper dive into some of the many education issues facing our students, educators, and communities. Originally launched in 2021 as Education Matters, Public Education Matters is your source for insightful conversations with the people who shape the education landscape in Ohio. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on Public Education Matters? Email us at educationmatters@ohea.org