Education bills in Ohio Statehouse address bullying, sales tax holiday

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Dozens of education bills became law during the current two-year session of the Ohio General Assembly, which is scheduled to end Dec. 21. But even more have been introduced – over 125, in fact.

Each of the bills fall along different points in the legislative process. Some are poised to be soon signed into law. Others don’t stand a chance of getting across the finish line.

Education measures before the legislature include cultural war flashpoints including several that dictate how race can be taught in history and current events. But not all of them drive wedges among Ohioans. Some attempt to ease education bureaucracy and improve school quality and the teaching profession.

The following are descriptions of some of the over 125 that haven’t yet passed, but possibly could.

Third Grade Reading Guarantee

HB 497 would eliminate the requirement that third-graders repeat the grade based on their English Language Arts assessment score. Schools would still have to offer remediation for students in grades kindergarten through third who are behind. It’s sponsored by Reps. Gayle Manning, a North Ridgeville Republican, and Phil Robinson, a Solon Democrat. Manning testified that as a retired elementary school teacher, she understands the importance of early literacy. But the high stakes of the third-grade test are too much for eight and 9-year-olds. If a student who is usually a good test taker has trouble at home or with friends, they can get a low score. She said that parents would still work with a school and decide to retain students if necessary.

Taxes

SB 120 would increase the maximum annual amount a teacher can claim as an income tax deduction for out-of-pocket professional development and classroom supplies from $250 to $1,000. It’s sponsored by Sens. Teresa Fedor, a Toledo Democrat, and Nathan Manning, a North Ridgeville Republican.

SB 221, sponsored by Rep. Niraj Antani, a Dayton-area Republican, would increase the price threshold to which people are exempt from sales tax during the three-day August back-to-school sales tax holiday from $75 for clothing, $20 for school supplies to $20 for instructional materials to $100 for each of the three categories. The bill would also exempt laptops, notebooks and tablet computers priced less than $2,000 from sales tax during the holiday.

HB 323 would get families a personal income tax credit of up to $1,500 per child for education expenses associated with home school, traditional public and charter or private school. Rep. Sarah Fowler Arthur, an Ashtabula Republican, is sponsoring the bill.

School bullies

Two bills seek to decrease bullying.

HB 147 would require the Ohio Department of Education to develop a process by which a student or their parent may request an investigation into a public school’s compliance with its policy prohibiting harassment, intimidation and bullying. It’s sponsored by Democratic Reps. Kristin Boggs of Columbus and Mary Lightbody of the Columbus suburbs.

SB 267 would create a new offense, aggravated bullying, a third-degree misdemeanor. It would also require annual student instruction about preventing harassment, intimidation, or bullying in school. School districts and charter schools would implement a tiered disciplinary procedure for harassment, intimidation, and bullying. Sen. Sandra Williams, a Cleveland Democrat, is the sponsor.

Editor’s note: This article is part of a series on the various education bills being considered by the Ohio legislature currently. The Lima News will publish details of more bills like these over the coming days.

Among over 125 education bills being considered in Columbus