Dive Brief:
- The Ohio Board of Education this week voted, 14-5, in favor of a controversial proposal eliminating a law requiring schools to have a certain number of specialty teachers on staff.
- The '5 of 8' staffing law had required schools to have at least eight specialty teachers for every 1,000 students.
- While the board argues that the change will give districts more flexibility, teachers have been outspoken in their disapproval of the proposal, citing obvious fears of staff cuts.
Dive Insight:
While the final vote won't take place until the spring, this is definitely a blow for educators who had been clear in their opposition to the proposal. The measure has not only been controversial but has shown clear rifts in power within the state. In November, four members of the Ohio Board of Education walked out of a meeting after the board's president, Debe Terhar, decided to change the meeting's agenda, as well as when protesters could vocalize their discontent with the proposal. Dozens of people, including teachers, had shown up to the morning meeting to give their input, but when it came time for public comments, Terhar decided to re-work the agenda and do a 30-minute presentation on the new proposal first.
Specialty teachers include educators with a focus in art, music, and/or physical education, as well as staff members who are social workers, nurses, guidance counselors, library and media specialists, and visiting teachers, according to the current state law. The elimination of the requirement doesn't only mean staff cuts — it can also mean less of a focus on these skills and special trades.