COLUMBUS — Ohio’s system for intervening in poor-performing school districts would change significantly under a bill passed by the Republican-led House.
In repeatedly poor-performing districts, current law shifts operational control from locally elected school boards to state-appointed panels and unelected CEOs. The plan that passed 83-12 Wednesday would end those so-called “state takeovers” and require districts to create improvement plans for individual schools rated as failing on state report cards.
House Speaker Larry Householder says the proposal likely will become part of the state budget currently under consideration.
The bill’s supporters say it recognizes that different schools face different problems and the state’s role is to be a support.
Some Republicans voting against the measure say it weakens accountability and eliminates a tool for motivating local school officials to improve.
