BASA Member Update 3.13.2020

BASA Member Update March 13, 2020

1. Hot Topics • Sign Up for March 18 Virtual Rally for Public Education • FAQs: Resources for Schools and Districts • New Competency Scores Posted • Purple Star Award Applications Open through May 1 • Ohio Attorney General Offers Threat Assessment Training

HOT TOPICS

Sign Up for March 18 Virtual Rally for Public Education In response to the recent confirmation of coronavirus cases in Ohio, and Governor DeWine’s declaration of a public health emergency, we are adjusting our plans for the Rally for Public Schools on March 18. We will not be holding an in-person rally at the statehouse. Instead, we will be holding a “virtual rally” at 3:30 pm on March 18 to kick off two weeks of action in support of the students in our public schools. This tele-conference will display the breadth of our public schools coalition, update attendees on the voucher crisis in our school districts, and engage activists in concrete next steps to protect public education. Please RSVP here if you can join us in our virtual rally on March 18th! We need to organize mass support for the vouchers policy changes in the House version of Senate Bill 89 before April 1st. If that deadline passes without legislative action, over 1200 schools around the state will qualify for EdChoice vouchers. FAQs: Resources for Schools and Districts In light of current information about the coronavirus and its potential for reaching Ohio, the Ohio Department of Education has developed an FAQ for schools and districts. This webpage, based on information from the Ohio Department of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state department of education, will help Ohio’s schools and districts consider local preparedness and the planning steps necessary to prepare effectively for and respond to a possible coronavirus outbreak. Please refer to this FAQ on the coronavirus as a resource for your own questions and questions you may receive. The Department will update this document as more information becomes available, so please check back often.

New Competency Scores Posted As part of the new long-term graduation requirements, Ohio law directs the Department of Education, working with the Ohio Department of Higher Education and Office of Workforce Transition, to establish a competency score on Ohio’s English language arts II and algebra I end-of-course tests. The competency score was set at 684 for each test. The Department also has developed frequently asked questions about the competency score for districts and schools. Purple Star Award Applications Open through May 1 The Purple Star Award for military-friendly schools honors learning communities that show a major commitment to serving students and families connected to our nation’s military. Awardees receive a special recognition to display in their buildings. A school will be honored with the Purple Star Award if it completes all the required activities, plus one optional activity. The Purple Star Advisory Board — formed by the Ohio departments of Education, Higher Education, Veterans Services and Adjutant General — helps support schools through activities like sharing best practices, showcasing school events and offering guidance for schools during the application process. The Purple Star Designation Application now is open through May 1. The Purple Star School program will announce recipients in August. More program details, including how to apply, are available on the Purple Star webpage. Ohio Attorney General Offers Threat Assessment Training Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s staff worked with staff of the Ohio Departments of Education, Public Safety and Higher Education to develop a guided online training program for Ohio’s local law enforcement officers and school threat assessment teams. The training highlights best practices for violence prevention. The training is open to all district and school personnel. Information about the program is available here. Ohio’s law enforcement officers will begin training in this prevention approach in March.