Violent attacks that target people because of their identities happen 
around the world with disturbing frequency.

What can educators do to help students reflect on and understand these attacks?

This Teaching Idea is a guide for teachers to navigate conversations with their students after news of a mass shooting, terrorist attack, or other violent events. Such conversations are difficult. Yet when we don’t address the violence in the classroom, we risk normalizing it. We recommend coordinating with colleagues and ensuring that students have space to emotionally process the events. Afterwards, you may want to help students explore the nature and impact of hate crimes, and consider ways that communities respond to hate and violence. Finally, we offer recommendations to help students engage with ongoing news coverage in a responsible way.

HB 748

HEARING ALERT:
November 29, 3:30pm | Ohio Statehouse, Room 122 | Watch LIVE HERE



The House Primary and Secondary Education Committee will have a second hearing for proponent testimony on House Bill 748, Rep. Adam Bird's (R-New Richmond) bill that requires each public school to adopt a policy about performance expectations of education staff. Watch sponsor testimony HERE

The bill requires each school district board of education, governing authority of a community school, and governing body of a STEM school to adopt a policy declaring that the district or school expects all professional staff members to maintain high standards with respect to co-worker relationships and in the performance of the staff member’s professional duties. The policy must prohibit each professional staff member from doing either of the following:

1. Engaging in political, partisan, ideological, or religious advocacy by compelling a student to adopt, affirm, or adhere to a specific belief.
2. Unfairly evaluating a student’s work because it does not reflect a specific political, partisan, ideological, or religious belief.

Resources:
Bill Info | Bill As Written | Analysis
Sponsor: Rep Adam Bird R-New Richmond | Sponsor Testimony
Committee: House Primary and Secondary Education Committee
 

HB 454
HEARING UPDATE:
On Wednesday, November 16, the House Families, Aging, and Human Services Committee heard more than two hours of opponent testimony against House Bill 454, Ohio's bill banning gender-affirming mental and medical healthcare for LGBTQ+ youth. Equality Ohio reports that nearly 300 Ohioans submitted written testimony opposing the bill and supporters filled THREE overflow rooms at the Statehouse! Watch the hearing HERE

During the hearing, Rep. Gary Click introduced a sub bill that requires:

• Two years of counseling "related to gender dysphoria, mental health, and the risks of gender transition."
• Screening for mental health conditions like depression, anxiety and autism and a confirmation that these conditions have been "treated and stabilized" for two years.
• Screening for physical and/or sexual assault.
• Consultation with a second physician
• Physicians report various medical information about patients to the state, creating a type of registry for transgender patients

In Arkansas, this type of legislation caused a federal judge to block the measure in July 2022. As a result, the Department of Justice issued this letter reinforcing federal nondiscrimination obligations for trans youth. 

What’s next? 
Equality Ohio is expecting another testimony hearing in the near future. Prepare your testimony now, especially if you were unable to submit or present testimony last week. 

From our family at Equality Ohio:

TAKE ACTION 
Help stop these multi-pronged attacks against LGBTQ+ youth.  Learn more about HB 454 HERE

1) CALL: Committee Chair Susan Manchester
Find a script and contact information here.

2) EMAIL: Tell the Committee you oppose HB454!
Sign Equality Ohio's action letter here.

3) CALL OR EMAIL: Committee Members need to hear from you!
Find a script and contact information for each member of the Families, Aging, and Human Services Committee here. 

4) SOCIAL MEDIA: Speak out on social media
Your voice matters to elected officials, and it matters to your friends and neighbors, too. 

Resources:
Bill Info | Bill As Written | Updated Analysis
Sponsor: Reps Gary Click and Diane Grendell
Committee: House Families, Aging, and Human Services Committee

SB 178
Ohio Speaks Out Against SB 178
Last week, the Senate Primary and Secondary Education Committee heard sponsor testimony from Senator Bill Reineke (R-Tiffin). While the language in the bill is dangerously vague, Senator Reineke said the intent is to create the Department of Education and Workforce which would "have a dual focus on primary and secondary education as well as preparing students for the workforce." The bill would shift control and management of K12 education away from the State Board of Education to a cabinet-level agency, managed by the governor's office.  Watch sponsor testimony HERE

According to Senator Reinke, the State Board would retain minimal authority over K12 education including:

• Appointment of the state superintendent
• Management of school territory transfers
• Decisions about licensure
• Decisions about staff and educator conduct

Senate leaders stated a new sub bill will move quickly in the coming weeks. More details to come... 

Read More: 

• Cleveland.com: Republican state senators seek to gut state school board’s responsibilities in revamp of Ohio Department of Education
• Columbus Dispatch: Lawmakers move to weaken Ohio Board of Education, give power to governor
• Ideastream:  Lawmakers consider big changes for Ohio State Board of Education
• Youngstown Vindicator: Proposed education bill could be bad for Ohio students
• WXVU Cincinnati: Ohio GOP launches a power grab over public education. They're likely to succeed

NEXT MONTHLY MEETING: December 12 & 13, 2022
Meeting Material  |  Watch Meetings

Anti-LGBTQ+ Resolution Update:
After months of fighting multiple transphobic resolutions and amendments endorsing discrimination and harm against LGBTQ+ students, the State Board of Education has decided it will vote on Member Mike Toal's second resolution at the next Board meeting on December 13. Last week, the Executive Committee voted 5-2 to move Toal's proposal to the full State Board for voting consideration. Learn more HERE

What's Next?
WE NEED ALL ALLIES AND ADVOCATES TO RISE UP AND SHOW UP!
THIS. IS. THE. TIME. to show your support and commitment for the LGBTQ+ community.
Business leaders, elected leaders, faith leaders, education leaders, advocacy leaders, community leaders... LET'S GO!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR TO ATTEND THE MEETING!
State Board of Education Meeting
December 12 & 13, 2022, 8am  -- Testimony & Vote on December 13
25 S Front St, Columbus
Meeting Material

  TAKE ACTION HERE  
Testify in person on December 13
Submit written testimony now
Continue phoning and emailing State Board Members
Continue asking your school district and community to speak out
Continue sending letters to the editor and op-eds
Help pack the Boardroom on December 13 -- Bring your community and allies!

Grant funding available:
National Endowment for the Arts BIG READ!

 

Arts Midwest now is accepting applications for the 2023-2024 National Endowment for the Arts Big Read Program. The Big Read is a community engagement opportunity with grants for up to $20,000 for communitywide reading programs focusing on one of 15 available books. Organizations eligible for the grant include school districts, institutions of higher education, libraries and more.
Learn MORE