Education Crisis Nationally and in Ohio - Results of the COVID Shutdown Linger

Discussion with State Senator Andy Brenner, Chairman of the Education Committee

The National Report Card which came out in February has stirred discussion about the graveness of the national education crisis. Only 30 percent of fourth graders and 29 percent of eight grade students are reading-proficient nationally. In Ohio, only 32 percent of both fourth and eighth graders are reading- proficient. Assessments conducted earlier this year also indicate that some students are two and three years behind in their grade reading levels.

The Need is to help Ohio school children who have fallen behind in reading comprehension due to the COVID shutdown. Overall, national scores are below pre-pandemic 2019 levels in all grades and subjects. According to the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University, the lockdown produced long-term consequences for K-12 education.

The COVID school closures began in March of 2020, resulting in remote learning for students over the course of the next year. We have discovered after conversing with teachers, school administrators, and parents, that children who were in kindergarten or first grade during that time were stymied in their development in reading learning. Other students regressed from what they had learned in the classroom. Students affected by the COVID shutdown are in the greatest need of reading tutoring services. www.LifeRead.org

Here is some of the legislation that is moving in the Ohio General Assembly to bring Ohio homeowners real estate tax relief.

• Expanded homestead exemption for the elderly, disabled, and veterans
• Tax deferment for the elderly to stay in their homes
• Elimination of replacement levies H.B. 28 Has passed the Ohio House
• HB 186 was introduced by Rep. Hoops and Rep. Thomas this week. The bill attacks the spikes in unvoted Property Tax Increases we have seen due to the 20 Mill Floor School Funding policy. This bill lowers those spikes to inflation and flattens out unbudgeted increases in revenue.
• Legislation that will make simple (make plain) levy ballot language

Bringing America Back to Life Conference Coming March 7th and 8th with Kate Makra E.D. of Cleveland Right to Life

Kate Makra, Executive Director of Cleveland Right to Life, shares the details of this year's BABL Conference. Friday night's dinner will feature Riley Gaines, collegiate athlete who fought against biological males competing in women's sports. Saturday night's dinner will feature Abbey Johnson, who once was the director of a Planned Parenthood clinic in Texas, but now is a strong pro-life champion. Other special guests covering a host of topics over the two-day event at the Embassy Suites in Independence. Visit this website to learn more. www.bringingamericabacktolife.org