Ohio Teachers of the Year Weigh in on Governor Kasich's Agenda

Joe Vardon
Ohio Teachers of the Year: Kasich’s Agenda Hits Educators at Every Turn
Published Online: March 21, 2011
Education Week
Complete URL: http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2011/03/21/26mct_ohkasich.html?r=2003476065

Even as Kasich was preparing to run for governor, he was rallying the need to “break the backs of organized labor in the schools.” Now that he is governor of Ohio, he is indeed putting pressure on organized labor – teachers in particular are feeling the squeeze.

This article highlights the views and opinions of Kasich’s agenda by Teachers of the Year. One view noted multiple times was: “‘It's difficult not to feel like he's coming after public teachers,’ said Tim Dove, a Worthington schoolteacher and Ohio's Teacher of the Year in 2011.” Some of the top teachers have gone so far as to sign a letter opposing Bill 5. Not all of the teachers are against change – they just want to be part – to be included.

The article goes on to detail some of the changes Kasich wants to make. It also proposes additional concerns teachers have.

The intended audience is anyone curious about education “reform” – how it is being implemented in different states.

The article is relevant because education reform is coming to ALL states. It is beneficial to be aware of how that looks in different states – to have some ideas of how it might look for us.