1) 127th Ohio General Assembly:  The Ohio House and Senate will hold
sessions and committee hearings this week.  The Ohio Senate approved on
January 23, 2008 SB46 (Mumper) Youth Athletics.  This bill requires the
Ohio Parks and Recreation Association to develop a coach's conduct and
ethics policy for volunteer coaches involved in recreational youth
athletics.  SB46 now moves to the House for consideration.

*Last week Speaker of the House Jon Husted announced several changes in
committee assignments.  Representative Matt Dolan resigned as chairman of
the Finance and Appropriations Committee to work on the November 2008
election, and has been replaced by Representative Jay Hottinger.
Representatives Wagoner and Webster have also been removed from the
Finance and Appropriations Committee, and replaced by Representatives
Sears, Gardner, and Mecklenborg.  Representative Gardner was also
appointed as chair of the Higher Education Subcommittee.

*House Democrats may wait until after the March 2008 Primary to select a
replacement for Representative William J. Healy II (52nd House District),
who resigned from the House after he was elected Mayor of Canton in
November 2007.

*Changes in committee assignments were also made as a result of the
leadership changes in the Senate Democratic caucus.  Senators Dale Miller,
Ray Miller, and Roberts were replaced on the Senate Finance and Financial
Institutions Committee by Senators Cafaro, Sawyer, and Wilson.

2)  Meetings and Hearings Scheduled for January 28 through February 1,
2008:

*The Ohio Educator Standards Board will meet on Monday, January 28 at 6:00
PM and Tuesday, January 29 at 8:30 AM at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 2700
Corporate Drive, Capitol Room in Columbus, OH.

*The House Finance and Appropriations Committee will meet on January 29,
2008 at 1:00 PM in room 313, and hear testimony on HB381 Ohio Research
Scholars Program (Webster), which increases funds available for Ohio
Research Scholars Program, and permits a nonpublic four-year Ohio
university to submit a proposal for the Ohio Research Scholars Program.

*The Senate Finance and Financial Institutions Committee, chaired by
Senator Carey, will meet on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 2:30 PM in the
Senate Finance Hearing Room.  The Committee will hear testimony on SB273
(Niehaus) Classroom Facilities Assistance, which will calculate an
alternate equity list for fiscal year 2008 to determine school districts'
eligibility for assistance under the Classroom Facilities Assistance
Program and their local shares in fiscal year 2009.

*The House Education Committee, chaired by Representative Setzer, will
meet on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 4:00 PM in hearing room 116.  The
committee will hear testimony on the following bills:
-HB379 (Fessler) Historical Document - Requires the study of specified
historical documents in the high school American history and government
curriculum.
-HB424 (Setzer) -  Eliminates the performance index score and makes
changes to Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Program.
-HB428 (Setzer) School Employee Misconduct - Addresses school employee
misconduct, reporting, and discipline.

*The Senate Education Committee, chaired by Senator Padgett, will meet on
January 29, 2008 and hear testimony on the following bills:
-SB264 (Carey) Teacher Strikes:  Prohibits classroom teachers from
striking, and requires binding arbitration to settle unresolved collective
bargaining disputes.
-SB270 (Cates) School Employee Misconduct:  Regarding the reporting of and
discipline for school employee misconduct.
-SB141 (Padgett) Community School Accountability: Clarifies the
responsibilities and oversight of sponsors of community schools.

3) Governor Reacts to Economic News:  Several news organizations reported
last week about a budget briefing that Governor Strickland held with
legislative leaders on January 23, 2008. The briefing focused on the
status of Ohio's FY08 and 09 budgets, and included three scenarios for
projecting the fiscal year fund balance based on economic projections for
low growth in the economy, zero growth in the economy, and a recession.

According to the briefing document entitled "Council of Economic Advisors,
Economic Forecast Update" (OBM 1/23/08) the continued decline in the
economy will have a negative impact on Ohio's economy and tax revenue. The
state budget approved by the Ohio General Assembly in June 2007
(HB119-Dolan) was based on an assumption that the economy would show
slight growth in mid 2008 and stronger growth in 2009.  However, recent
analyses of the state and national economies project a weaker economy and
lower than estimated revenue. Under the low growth, zero growth, or
recession scenarios, the state's fiscal year fund balance could be
respectively $733 million; $1.2 billion, or $1.884 billion below
estimates.

Governor Strickland is expected to address the budget issues in the annual
State of the State Address on February 6, 2008.  In the meantime, the
governor has directed state agencies to identify areas to cut.  The Office
of Budget and Management also reports that approximately $1 billion is
available in the budget stabilization fund (rainy day fund).

A link to the briefing document is available through the article in the
Columbus Dispatch at
http://blog.dispatch.com/dailybriefing/2008/01/massive_budget_shortfall_possi.shtml

4)  Constitutional Amendment on School Funding Proposed: Senator Kirk
Shuring has proposed a constitutional amendment (SJR 4) that would direct
all lottery profits and a percentage of revenue from certain taxes to fund
primary, secondary, and higher education.  The proposal, if approved by
the Ohio General Assembly and the voters of Ohio, would amend Section 6 of
Article XV and enact Section 2a of Article VI of the Constitution.  To be
on the November 4, 2008 ballot this resolution must be approved by the
General Assembly before the first week in August.

The proposed constitutional amendment calls for the General Assembly to
create an education stabilization fund in the state treasury, and dedicate
a certain percentage of the income tax, sales tax, and "other taxes"
exclusively to fund primary, secondary, and higher education.  In
addition, all net proceeds of the Ohio Lottery would be expended
exclusively for primary and secondary education.

Senator Shuring presented his proposal before the Senate Finance and
Financial Institutions Committee, chaired by Senator Carey, on January 23,
2008.

5)  What Does Education Need?  Imagination!!:  A national poll called "The
Imagine Nation:  Findings from a Nationwide Survey of 1000 Likely Voters"
was released on January 15, 2008 by Lake Research Partners, Celinda Lake
president.  The poll identified a set of public values and a specific
group of voters (coined in the survey as the "imagine nation") who believe
that students need to develop creativity and imagination to be successful
in the 21st century. These voters also believe that creativity and
imagination are currently missing from the curriculum of most schools.

The powerpoint document describing the results of this poll also provides
an analysis of all the questions and responses.  The findings of this poll
could be used by school districts to fine tune messages to the public
about why schools need to change instruction and learning to better
prepare students.  The following are some highlights from the poll:
(Available at
http://www.namm.org/press-room/news/news-releases/2008January24/view.)

*Most voters say it is extremely or very important to them personally to
have good public schools (94 percent important, 64 percent extremely
important).
*Fifty six percent of the electorate believe that public education in the
United States is behind what is offered to students in other parts of the
world, like Europe and China (21 percent very far behind).
*Voters split on the issue of schools teaching students the skills they
need to be competitive in the workforce (47 percent agree to 49 percent
disagree).
*More than half of voters think that it is extremely or very critical to
incorporate building capacities of the imagination that leads to
innovation into core courses (62 percent, mean 7.9).  Upon re-ask, the
electorate is slightly more likely to say this, with 66 percent thinking
that it is extremely or very critical (mean 8.1).
*While almost two thirds of voters think that is extremely or very
important to have imagination and creative skills taught in school, most
do not think that these skills are being taught extremely or very well.
*The majority of the electorate see a decline in teaching skills of the
imagination over the past ten years (56 percent decreased, 31 percent
decreased a lot).
*Voters, especially parents, believe that standardized testing discourages
developing the imagination and creative skills in students (total: 56
percent discourages; parents: 61 percent).
*Voters see imagination as contributing to the demands of the 21st century
workforce, both when framed as focusing on the arts and building
capacities.
*More than half of voters say they strongly favor the statements that
blend technology and the basics with an education in the arts, or one that
encourages developing the imagination.
*Nine in ten agree that using the imagination is important to innovation
and one's success in a global knowledge-based economy (89 percent agree,
59 percent strongly) and essential to success in the 21st Century (86
percent agree, 58 percent strongly).
*Eighty-eight percent of respondents strongly agree that an education in
and through the arts provides students with the opportunity to develop
their imagination.
*Fifty seven percent of voters say they would be more likely to vote for a
candidate who came out in support of more funding (29 percent much more
likely) for building capacities of the imagination among students in
public schools.
*Sixty three percent of respondents believe that building capacities of
imagination are just as important as the "basics".
*Ninety one percent believe that an education in the arts help to
substantiate imagination learning, and should be considered part of the
basics.

6)  Gifted Education on the Back Burner:  According to an article in the
Plain Dealer, "Thousands of Ohio's gifted students not receiving adequate
education" by Jennifer Gonalez (January 23, 2008), most students who are
gifted in Ohio are being neglected due to a lack of commitment, resources,
laws, and policies.  31 states require school districts to offer special
services to gifted students, but there is no federal or state law that
mandates schools to identify or serve gifted students, such as the
Individuals with Disabilities Act.  If policy makers truly believed in
meeting the individual learning needs of all students, then more gifted
students would be identified and served.

Currently under Ohio law school districts are only required to identify
gifted students, but are not required to provide education services to
meet their learning needs.  Approximately sixteen percent of students in
Ohio have been identified as gifted, but only twenty-six percent of those
students received full or partial services last year.  Without gifted
education services research shows that these students often become
disengaged, can develop behavior problems, and lose their academic or
creative advantage.

The state allocated approximately $47 million last year for gifted
education for schools, but state funding has been flat for the past
several years.  Changes in the standards for gifted education are also
being considered by the State Board of Education.

The article is available at
http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/jBoMeChEgmcPyAahcfcNMoyN?format=standard>

7)  ASCD January 26, 2008 Column:  The January 2008 ASCD (Association for
Supervision and Curriculum Development) column "Is it Good for Kids?" by
Executive Director Gene R. Carter is entitled "Making the Grade in a
Global Economy".  The column notes that there are several school reform
efforts underway to prepare students with 21st Century skills and
knowledge.  According to the article, "ASCD believes that a 21st century
education should be built on a foundation of personalized relevant
learning that is meaningful and engaging for each students.  But such
learning won't flourish within the confines of a watered down or narrow
curriculum."

Gene Carter goes on to write that The Partnership for 21st Century Skills
has identified the skills students need to be competitive, and
"....rigorous opportunities in the arts, foreign languages, and social
studies are uniquely positioned to develop students' 21st century skills
and global awareness."

The ASCD supports educating the whole child in the whole world, and
creating more opportunities for students to demonstrate their knowledge
and skills through performance based assessments.  To read the column
please visit
http://www.ascd.org/portal/site/ascd/menuitem.e904532af52fde8cbfb3ffdb62108a0c/

8)  Bills Introduced:
-HB445 (Schlichter) School District State Aid: Adjusts school district
state education aid and Classroom Facilities Assistance Program rankings
to correct certification of tax-exempt property erroneously treated as
taxable property.
-HB439 (Hagan) School Suicide Prevention:  Requires each school district
and each community school to provide suicide prevention services for
students in grades five to twelve.
-HB443 (Peterson) Public Notice Web Site:  Establishes the
State-Sanctioned Public Notice web site, to permit any notice required to
be published by statute or rule to be published on the web site.