Monday, December 21, 2020

Update on COVID-relief and Appropriations


Congress has reached agreement on a package that provides both
 COVID-relief and full fiscal year (FY) 2021 funding for the 12 federal appropriations bills.  Additionally, Congress passed  a new one-day extension that will go through midnight tonight (Monday).  That means that today, both chambers need to pass the legislation (possibly one bill that has the Defense, Homeland Security, Commerce-Justice-Science, and Financial Services bills and another that combines the remaining 8 appropriations bills and the COVID bill) and the President needs to sign it to keep government funding going as of Tuesday morning, or else there will have to be another extension of government funding to allow time for the bills to be passed and signed by the President.

 

  • For Labor-HHS-Education funding bill – Links to the legislative text and report are below.
    • Legislative text – the Labor-HHS-Education funding bill is Division H, and the Department of Education is Title III (starting on numbered page 1024, which is page 1032 of 5593 in the PDF)
    • Report language (“statement of managers”) – this includes description of the program levels and the conferees’ intent behind the funding.  The description of the Department of Education starts on page 111.  The funding table for Department of Education starts on page 179.
  • For COVID-relief bill – Links to the legislative text and report are below.
    • Legislative text – The COVID-relief appropriations is Division M, which starts on numbered page 1815 (page 1823 of 5593 in the PDF).  The education section starts on numbered page 1851 (page 1859 of 5593 in the PDF). 
    • (Attached) Section by section summary of the Labor-HHS-Education funding in the COVID bill.

Topline for education in COVID -relief bill:

 

  • $82 billion for Education Relief Funds
    • $818.8 million for outlying areas and Bureau of Indian Affairs schools
      • $4.1  billion for a Governors Emergency Relief Fund
      • $54.3 billion for an Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund
      • $22.7 billion for a Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund



Friday, December 18, 2020

Seeking Ohio PTA Leaders

 ARE YOU ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT PTA, COMMITTED TO CHILDREN

                                         AND LOOKING FOR A NEW CHALLENGE?

 

The Ohio Nominating Committee is in the process of filling the slate for the 2021-2023 Ohio PTA Board of Directors.

We are seeking highly qualified and motivated leaders to serve on our Ohio PTA Board. Serving on the Ohio PTA Board of Directors requires a state-level commitment and vision and is a truly rewarding experience. We are looking for leaders across our state with a powerful voice to help change the lives and advocate for all Ohio children.

Board of Directors Job Descriptions, General Information, and the Board of Director Application are all located on the Ohio PTA website at https://www.ohiopta.org/board-of-directors/ under the "Join Us" tab. Applications should be sent to office@ohiopta.org.

Additionally, if you are having a virtual PTA meeting, an Ohio PTA representative would be happy to speak briefly about our mission and openings if you have 5-10 minutes to spare. Please fill out the form HERE if you are interested.

Please submit applications by January 15, 2020

If you have any questions, please contact Gerri Beres at fsp-reflections@ohiopta.org or the Ohio PTA office at office@ohiopta.org.







Guidance and Messaging Document – The Prom Netflix Movie

 



PTA Leaders,

 

Like many of you, we have seen the new Netflix movie The Prom. While this is a fictional story, we are disappointed with the way PTA is portrayed in the movie, as we know all of you are too. We all know that, in reality, PTA would actually be the one leading the fight for the rights of the student who is the main character in the movie, as we do for all students and have done for more than 120 years.

 

We believe the movie is an important opportunity to leverage and highlight our association’s strong support of LGBTQ students. Please go to this document that seeks to provide information on the movie as well as outline National PTA’s response. We encourage you to use this document to guide your own responses to The Prom as well as responses to membership, partner organizations, and stakeholders concerning the movie. We also encourage you to use the movie to shine a light on the work you have done and are continuing to do in your states and communities to support and advocate for LGBTQ students and families.

 

Sincerely,

 

Leslie Boggs

President, National PTA










Wednesday, December 16, 2020

New Research Reveals How Students Are Doing During COVID-19 Pandemic

                                     
       

National PTA and NEA release joint recommendations in response to poll data

 

WASHINGTON (Dec. 16, 2020) — National PTA and the National Education Association today released the results of a national poll exploring students’ experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. The poll, which surveyed more than 1,300 students aged 13–18, was conducted through Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research. The findings show that while this generation of students faces unprecedented challenges, they have proven resilient. The findings also reveal that although they face academic challenges, students believe their teachers are doing the best they can under extremely difficult circumstances, and they trust their educators to help them grow this year.

 

Key findings revealed that:

 

  • 56% of students describe themselves and their family as “doing OK” when it comes to handling the pandemic. Only 16% of students report they are struggling. These numbers remain consistent along different racial groups.

 

  • Four in 10 students report significant economic stress in their family, and as many have had a family member contract the virus. Students complain of boredom, possibly brought on by social isolation and a lack of social interaction. At the same time, some students report that they have used the pandemic to reconnect with their families, take on hobbies, exercise and even reconsider career goals.

 

  • 58% of students say they were doing well academically before the virus; only 32% believe they are doing well currently. The self-reported academic decline remains consistent along different racial subgroups, and there is relatively little difference between students learning in-person, in hybrid mode and fully online. Younger students and students whose parents did not attend college as well as students in hybrid situations, however, are the most likely to report an academic decline.

 

  • 88% of students say they trust their teachers to teach them this year, and 76% believe they are getting a good education, despite the recognition that their teachers lack resources and time.

 

“I see educators across the nation finding new and innovative ways to reach students and communities during these extremely challenging and uncertain times  even when Congress fails to give them the tools and resources they need to succeed,” said NEA President Becky Pringle. “It’s not surprising that nearly 90 percent of students trust their teachers to teach them this year. But the pandemic is hurting our Black, Latino and Native students disproportionally, and we need to demand that all students  no matter where they’re from or where they live  have the supports they need to strive coming out of this national public health and economic crisis.” 

 

Of the students polled, only 38% report that they prefer full-time, in-person learning at this moment, and another 27% report they prefer some hybrid of online and in-person learning. Students in online classes full-time are less eager to return to in-person instruction in the current environment, with only 28% preferring full-time, in-person instruction at this time. Given the choice, however, most students would prefer more in-person instruction.

 

Some students are thriving in the virtual environment, according to the research. They appreciate the ability to work more at their own pace and the freedom from social pressures.

 

“This generation of students should be an inspiration to all of us. National PTA is proud of our youth for their resiliency, making the most of their current situation, and believing in their power to change our nation,” said Leslie Boggs, president of National PTA. “These students are our future leaders, and as underscored by the results of the poll, this next phase of ‘returning to school’ is an important chance to ensure every one of them has every opportunity to reach their fullest potential regardless of their ZIP code.”

 

Although most students report they are “doing OK” and believe they are getting a good education, they reported wanting more interaction with their teachers — 65% say more interaction with teachers would be very helpful. Students also say additional tutoring to help them catch up and stay on track as well as more one-on-one time with their teachers would be very helpful, too.

 

In response to the findings of the poll, to better support students’ success, and to ensure that all students have equitable access to learning during the pandemic, National PTA and NEA recommend that education stakeholders and local, state and federal policymakers:

 

·        Provide students with additional instructional and social-emotional learning supports while school districts are in a full-time, virtual or hybrid teaching and learning model because no matter the education model, all students have suffered due to the pandemic and economic crisis. Whenever possible and through collective action, these supports include:

o   Tutoring by educators (including education support professionals and other staff trained to support student learning outcomes identified by educators).

o   Providing more 1:1 access to educators (through programs such as “office hours” with teachers, paraprofessionals, school counselors and school social workers).  

o   Building consistent routines and a sense of community for students that foster a sense of safety; resources and supports for student wellness and self-care; and supports for educators in providing social-emotional learning needs and trauma-informed instruction.

o   Ensuring access to supports for early learners, such as NEA’s partnership with WETA, which provides resources for reading and other materials that build and maintain strong school readiness.

 

·        Ensure equitable digital access for all students and educators, including sufficient broadband access and appropriate devices, like laptops and tablets, with supports to learn how to use the platforms provided by schools and districts.

 

·        Ensure high standards continue to be met, while adjusting the kinds of assignments and tasks required of students to ensure prioritization of essential elements of the coursework and accounting for differences inherent in remote or hybrid instruction.

 

·        Utilize community school and other proven strategies to implement a robust family engagement plan in every school to support interactions between educators, students and families particularly during hybrid or virtual learning, raising awareness of the value of such interactions in student progress, safety and well-being.

 

Last month, National PTA and NEA joined other education organizations in continuing to call for more immediate resources to implement strong mitigation strategies for K-12 public schools so they can safely and equitably reopen buildings and stay open for in-person instruction, meet the growing academic and social-emotional needs of students, and address the challenges they are facing during the pandemic. 

 

About National PTA

National PTA® comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health, and welfare of children and youth. For more information, visit PTA.org.

 

About the National Education Association

The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing more than 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, students preparing to become teachers, healthcare workers, and public employees. Learn more at NEA.org





Tuesday, December 15, 2020

More Parent Resources



Ohio PTA radio ad 
http://bit.ly/34dSN7C



JOIN THE OHIO PARTNERSHIP PTA




5 Ways to Reduce COVID Holiday Disappointment for Kids

https://www.understood.org/en/family/events-outings/holidays-celebrations/reduce-covid-holiday-disappointment-for-kids



Representation Matters: 4 Books About Kids of Color That I Love to Read to My Son

https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/learning-at-home/encouraging-reading-writing/representation-matters-4-books-about-kids-of-color-that-i-love-to-read-to-my-son


9 flexible thinking activities for kids

https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/learning-at-home/homework-study-skills/9-tips-for-building-flexible-thinking


No time to read to your child? 6 ideas to try

https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/learning-at-home/encouraging-reading-writing/no-time-to-read-to-your-child-6-ideas-to-try


8 ways distance learning makes it harder to focus

https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/learning-at-home/homework-study-skills/distance-learning-focus-challenges


A Parent Legal Resource



Legal Aid LIVE on Facebook

Wednesday, December 16 @ 5:00PM

A reminder that our next Facebook LIVE is coming up on December 16. This session is focused on Driver’s License Suspensions. Legal Aid attorneys will be joined by attorney Sean Sweeney from the Cuyahoga County Public Defender’s office to discuss your rights and options when your license is suspended.

BMV Reinstatement Fee Debt Reduction and Amnesty program
Effective Monday, December 13th

The Reinstatement Fee Debt Reduction and Amnesty Program is a permanent program within the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) intended to assist people who cannot afford to pay all their pending reinstatement fees following a driver’s license suspensionBeginning today, Ohio allows more options for certain driver’s license reinstatements after suspension. For eligibility questions and more, visit our website. If you serve anyone needing legal help regarding reinstatement, contact Legal Aid.

Criminal Justice Webinar by Case Western Reserve School of Medicine
Thursday, December 17 @ 10:00am

Join us to hear from speakers who are implementing policy change to decrease incarceration and support individuals with substance use disorders across the Cuyahoga County criminal justice system. To learn more and register for this Zoom webinar, click here. Legal Aid is proud to sponsor this event.

The Cleveland Browns partner with Legal Aid
The Cleveland Browns are partnering with Legal Aid to help more families receive quality legal services that protect their basic needs. In addition to financially supporting our programs, the Browns are using their platform to shine a light on the need for civil legal assistance across our region. Starting December 10th, we’ve been sharing posts on social media to highlight this partnership and our work to keep people #homefortheholidays – this season, and beyond. Follow us on social and share our posts to help spread the word: Facebook - @LegalAidCleveland, Instagram - @LegalAidCLE, Twitter: @LegalAidCLE

Reminder: Legal Aid has updated COVID flyers and info cards.
If you would like any of our materials for your organization, please reply to this email with quantity, details, a contact name, and a mailing address.

As always: If you have any questions or need something from Legal Aid, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Danilo Powell-Lima
Development & Communications Assistant

Phone: 216-861-5889
Email: danilo.powell-lima@lasclev.org

The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland
1223 West Sixth Street
Cleveland, OH 44113
www.lasclev.org




Monday, December 14, 2020

OAESA Week in Review

Source: 

The Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators
OAESA | 445 Hutchinson AveSuite 700Columbus, OH 43235

Week of December 7-11
State Board of Education President Laura Kohler, Superintendent Paolo DeMaria and Renee Willis, superintendent of Richmond Heights City Schools, discussed the development and implications of the board's summer resolution on racism and equity during a virtual Cleveland City Club forum Friday. The board voted in July to adopt the "Resolution to condemn racism and to advance equity and opportunity for black students, indigenous students and students of color" in the wake of nationwide protests over racism and police conduct sparked by the death of George Floyd. The resolution inspired lengthy debate and drew public criticism and praise at board meetings for months.       

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While K-12 school funding overhaul HB305 (Cupp-Patterson) passed the House with broad bipartisan support, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Matt Dolan (R-Chagrin Falls) said the bill is promising but likely lacks the clarity and urgency necessary to pass the upper chamber during the lame duck session. This comment came during a Zoom budget forum hosted by G2G Consulting that also included House Assistant Minority Leader Kristin Boggs (D-Columbus) and Ohio Office of Budget and Management (OBM) Director Kimberly Murnieks. Murnieks said Gov. Mike DeWine has been clear that he is committed to wraparound services for students, and those programs will be funded in some form in the administration's budget recommendation.

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Sen. Stephanie Kunze (R-Hilliard), one of many co-sponsors for the Senate version of the Cupp-Patterson school funding plan, said questions about the full price tag and the lost work time from the pandemic are factors in the chamber's deliberations on it, but she expressed optimism about its prospects. Kunze joined Reps. John Patterson (D-Jefferson) and Phil Robinson (D-Solon) and school finance expert Howard Fleeter at a Cleveland City Club virtual forum Monday to discuss the plan, passed by the House in HB305 (Cupp-Patterson) and pending in the Senate Finance Committee as SB376.

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The Franklin County judge overseeing remaining assets for the defunct Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow (ECOT) has approved the state's proposal to settle claims against the former school treasurer in exchange for her assistance in the case against school founder William Lager. Attorney General Dave Yost's office filed a motion last month for approval of a settlement with Michele Smith that would dismiss claims against her and her bonding company in exchange for her assistance in helping the state press its claims against Lager.

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The Thomas B. Fordham Institute unveiled a new report Thursday suggesting Ohio's current school funding system may not still be unconstitutional. The Ohio Supreme Court ruled 23 years ago in DeRolph v. State of Ohio that the state's school funding system violated Section Six, Article II of the Ohio Constitution which has a "thorough and efficient" clause. However, the report's author, Aaron Churchill, research director for the Fordham Institute, questioned whether it is still fair to characterize Ohio's current funding arrangement as unconstitutional given all the changes that have taken place over two decades.

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The Educator Evaluation Systems information on the Ohio Department of Education's Reset and Restart webpage has been updated to reflect the changes and flexibility granted by HB 404.
NAESP Updates:

Please find the latest COVID and Schools Mid-Year Advocacy Survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8SYBFBL

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Here is the latest on the multiple COVID relief proposals swirling around Capitol Hill this week: https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/09/lawmakers-covid-relief-package-443914. The two main packages have $82 billion and $105 billion for education respectively, with the K-12/higher ed breakdown not yet known at this time.