News from the Ohio Department of Education
Students and families across the state are ready for the beginning of a new school year. ODE has prepared a special webpage that answers a number of questions that may come up during the first few weeks of school. The What’s New for School Year 2011-2012? page contains information on standards guides for families, testing dates, state identification cards for students and many other topics. Please feel free to share this information with families and staff in your district or school.
http://www.education.ohio.gov/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/ODEDetail.aspx?page=3&TopicRelationID=428&ContentID=109946
ODE continues to develop resources for local education leaders related to House Bill 153. A summary of these new education components can be found at:
http://www.education.ohio.gov/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/ODEDetail.aspx?page=3&TopicRelationID=4&ContentID=102848. They include:
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Delivers Presentation at the Budget Analysis and Discussion (BAD) Workshop, including talking points on available waivers
Senior Executive Director of Accountability and Continuous Improvement Adrian Allison Delivers Presentation on HB 153 Rankings and Reporting
New ODE Responsibilities under HB 153
New Local Responsibilities and Permissions
Eliminated Local Responsibilities and Permissions
Summary of Budget and Proposed Policy Changes
Please remember to observe Patriot Day on Sept. 11
Patriot Day is an annual observance to remember those who died or were injured during the terrorist attacks in the United States on Sept. 11, 2001. In accordance with Public Law 107-89, the President annually issues a proclamation calling for all Americans, as well as state and local governments, to observe Patriot Day with appropriate programs, to fly their American flags at half-staff and to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. (when the first plane struck the World Trade Center’s north tower).
ODE strongly encourages all schools to plan some type of observance, preferably in conjunction with local veterans’ groups. Schools also may want to consider having older students interview adults about the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and the resulting political, national security and economic challenges the U.S. has faced.
The interviews can be used in student presentations and class discussions. Within the new model curriculum for social studies, available at:
http://www.education.ohio.gov/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/ODEDetail.aspx?page=3&TopicRelationID=1706&ContentID=76598 where high school American history educators will find references to Sept. 11 on page 42. The model curriculum provides a context for discussing Patriot Day in light of the challenges the United States has been facing during the post-Cold War era. When fully implemented in 2014-2015, the model curriculum also will include more instructional strategies and resources about this topic.