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State Representative Steve Huffman
Prioritizing
Education As the New School Year Begins
It’s hard to believe, but another school term has begun. With summer
winding down and more school buses on the streets, students all across
Ohio are entering the classroom again or beginning a new chapter in
their educational journey. College students and those in vocational or
tech schools are also gearing up for a new school year. As state
legislators, one of our top priorities is ensuring that our children
are able to receive a quality education that sets them up for future
success.
The Ohio House has been making significant efforts to achieve this goal
of providing a good education for the next generation of leaders,
innovators, and citizens. We strive to equip them with the skills and
character required to take on these roles in a continuously changing
world and workforce. It is our responsibility to provide a reliable
foundation, and this commitment is reflected in the recently passed
state biennial budget.
Even through a tight budget cycle, we prioritized state funding for
school districts. We worked to raise per-pupil funding from $6,000 to
$6,010 and reward high-performing educational service centers (ESCs)
with $26 per student, up from the $24 per student other ESCs are
granted. We were also able to make sure that a majority of schools will
not lose state funding for Fiscal Years 2018 and 2019, as districts
need these funds to provide an optimal academic experience for students.
Higher education and the workforce were also important considerations
in our budget deliberations. In order to increase college affordability
and cost transparency, we instituted tuition controls that keep in
place the tuition freeze for undergraduates and mandate that colleges
and universities study textbook costs and provide an annual report of
findings to the Chancellor of the Ohio Department of Higher Education.
Finally, it was important for us to invest in programs that equip
graduates for their career field through various services. Short-term
certificates also allow jobseekers to enter the workforce quickly so
they can provide for their families.
The state legislature seeks to improve the quality of education in Ohio
so that all students can reach their full potential. A good education
is a win for everyone: individuals, their families, and the economy. As
we embark on yet another school year, I hope these measures in the
budget will be beneficial to you and that you keep pursuing your
passions and dreams.
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