Career TEchnical AND Adult Education News

Testing vendor ACT delayed an upcoming national administration of its test from Saturday, April 4 to Saturday, June 13 because of the coronavirus outbreak. The College Board, meanwhile, reported last-minute cancellations of testing that was to take place during an SAT administration over this past weekend.

The state pays for all high school juniors to take either the SAT or ACT, as decided by local district leadership, with most schools opting for the ACT.

Three of four ACT testing windows for this spring have passed, but a fourth is scheduled to start Tuesday -- the first day of a mandatory statewide school closing ordered by Gov. Mike DeWine. Makeup testing windows are also scheduled for late March and early April, when schools will still be closed. DeWine indicated over the weekend that schools may end up being closed through the end of the academic year.

Some SAT administration windows are likewise in the past, but districts had a choice of having their online testing windows March 4-6 or April 14-16. One makeup testing window was ongoing Monday, while others are scheduled for later in March or in April.

DeWine and Superintendent Paolo DeMaria have assured schools that state leaders are prepared to grant schools relief on testing, attendance reporting and the like should the coronavirus outbreak require doing so. The federal government has also announced plans for accountability waivers because of the situation.

The state has also published testing schedules from the 2021 spring administration of the SAT and ACT:

SAT: http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Testing/State-Funded-SAT-Test

ACT: http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Testing/State-Funded-ACT-Test

To achieve this goal, the Ohio Department of Education has developed this technical assistance document to help schools think through important child nutrition opportunities. This information will help ensure the most successful outcomes.

Please continue to check back at the Ohio Department of Education website as well as coronavirus.ohio.gov for more updates.  

Each Child, Our Future, Ohio’s strategic plan for education, emphasizes that in high school, each child should see the relevance of his or her learning, be exposed to practical, real-world work settings and begin defining his or her future. The plan calls for Ohio high schools to inspire students to identify their paths to future success through career-focused learning.

To support this career-focused approach, Ohio House Bill 166 enacted a series of industry recognized credential initiatives. Find an overview of these initiatives here.

Reimbursement for Schools

FY19 Reimbursements

Based on credentials earned by students who left school in 2019, reimbursements will be completed in early summer 2020. Reimbursements for the Fiscal Year 2019 will be made based on credentials earned by students who are economically disadvantaged. If the allocated amount ($750,000) is exceeded, reimbursements will be prorated.

FY20 Reimbursements

Based on credentials earned by students who left school in 2020, reimbursements will be completed in early summer 2021. Reimbursements for the Fiscal Year 2020 will be made based on credentials earned by any student. These reimbursements will be paid to schools who report that they have paid for the credentials earned. If the allocated amount ($8,000,000) is exceeded, reimbursements will be prorated.

Click here for more information

The Ohio Department of Education released this frequently asked questions document on March 14, in response to questions generated by the mandatory school closure issued by Governor DeWine on March 12.

If you have additional questions, please email Ohio ACTE Executive Director Christine Gardner at Christine@ohioacte.org.  As much as possible, the career-tech community is trying to consolidate questions.

The following excerpt from the document addresses career-technical education specifically:

What about career technical education centers? Will students and teachers be able to access the buildings?

During the ordered closure, career technical education centers will not be open to students. However, the closure does not include administrators, teachers, staff, vendors or contractors of a school. Per the order from the Ohio Department of Health, “The administration of each school shall determine the appropriate level of access to the school during the closure.”

Are students still permitted to work as part of apprenticeships, internships, etc. that are supervised by the school?

The answer to this question depends on the individual arrangement. In some cases, it might be appropriate if the student’s work based-learning experience is safe and is attentive to social distancing (i.e., the student interacts with very few other people). It may also matter if the student is actually an employee of the business. Ultimately, this is a local decision that should be made in partnership with the student, parents and/or caregivers, school leadership and the employer.

Career technical education centers also provide adult education through their Ohio Technical Centers. Is it permissible for career technical education centers to allow adult students on site for instruction?

The ordered closure does not apply to Ohio Technical Centers which serve adults. As such, schools should make their own determinations about the continuing operations of these programs. Schools may want to consider distance learning options to the extent practicable. Schools should also be attentive to the Governor’s emphasis on social distancing and avoiding large gatherings.

• All CTSO in-person events cancelled through April 13.  See related article- click here.
• *OCTA Conference, March 18-20
• *Success Bound,Northeast Ohio Region - May 4
  
• *PACE/OTDN Conference, April 2-3

*Ohio ACTE handles registration for these events.  Paid attendees will receive full refunds in the form in which the registration was paid, either check or credit card.  REFUNDS WILL BE AUTOMATIC. No need to call/email to request a  refund.  Checks payments received but not yet processed will be returned.  Your patience is requested and appreciated as we process all of the refunds in as timely manner as possible.

The U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) said it will consider "targeted, one-year" waivers of federal accountability measures on student participation and absenteeism for schools closing for an extended period. Gov. Mike DeWine ordered all schools to close from the end of the day Monday, March 16 through Friday, April 3.

UDDOE also shared FAQ documents (see link below) for schools on student privacy considerations amid the outbreak, as well as how to navigate the laws and regulations on education for students with disabilities amid the outbreak.

In another video message to schools, Superintendent Paolo DeMaria reiterated  "We will waive state requirements that stand in the way of us being successful," DeMaria said.

DeMaria said the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved the state's waiver request in order to offer school meals to-go, and said he's hoping the federal agency will also grant the state's request to be able to deliver meals. DeWine also addressed the meal situation in his daily briefing on Friday. (See separate story, this issue).

Addressing the prospect of remote learning amid the school closings, DeMaria said, "The governor wants us to make an effort to provide education to students through alternative means." The superintendent said approaches will differ by school and urged them to think creatively, saying the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) will offer support.

However, one potential source of access to computers and technology for students, local libraries, are also feeling the effects of the virus, with many announcing closings. (See separate story, this issue.)

Mandy Minick, press secretary for ODE, said the agency recognizes the differences in resources available to schools.

As to the governor's call for education through alternative means, Minick said in an email, "We are telling schools this statement indicates that they should try to make a good faith effort within available capabilities to support continued learning outside of school."

Charter Communications said it would offer its Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi service for free for 60-days, including waiver of installation fees, for households with K-12 or college students who do not already have the service. The company also said it will open Wi-Fi hotspots across the company's footprint for public use.

Two members of the House, Reps. Jeffrey Crossman (D-Parma) and Lisa Sobecki (D-Toledo) wrote a letter Friday to DeMaria and DeWine urging the cancellation of state testing for the rest of the school year.

"Now that the governor has closed the schools, it is unfair to students, parents, and educators to have these tests hanging over their heads upon their return," Crossman said in a statement. "There simply will not be sufficient time to properly prepare students for these tests and to complete the remaining coursework for the academic year."

"Failing to cancel these tests now will only create more anxiety among the community and will result in an overly extended school year, which no one wants. People should be concerned about staying well during this unprecedented crisis," Sobecki said in a statement.

The USDOE FAQ on student privacy is available at https://tinyurl.com/w6typan .

The USDOE FAQ on education for students with disabilities is available at https://tinyurl.com/up2ltul .

ODE is maintaining an FAQ for schools and a running list of agency meetings it has cancelled on its website at www.education.ohio.gov.

The Ohio Department of Education, Business Professionals of America, Ohio Association, Ohio DECA, Ohio FFA Association, Ohio FCCLA, and SkillsUSA Ohio remain committed to protecting the health, safety, and welfare of its members. Therefore, it has been determined that all in-person career-technical student organization competitions and events are canceled through April 13, 2020. The decision to cancel events was not made lightly. The Office of Career-Technical Education continues to collaborate with stakeholders to discuss possible competitive alternatives, financial resolutions, and next steps. Over the next few weeks, ODE staff will be evaluating contingency plans for all state events taking place after April 13 with a modified approach.

Ohio ACTE leaders recognize the disruptions, anxiety, and distress to members caused by COVID-19. Our deepest concern is for students as well as the health and well-being of all of Ohio’s citizens, and we support Governor DeWine’s decision to protect Ohioans. I know that career-tech educators display innovation and resiliency on a regular basis and this unprecedented experience will bring out the best in our educators.

As you know, Gov. DeWine has ordered schools closed for the next three weeks, beginning at the end of the school day on March 16.   In a teleconference yesterday that included State Superintendent of Public Instruction DeMaria, Governor DeWine, ODE staff and other association leaders, the Governor stressed the importance of all educators working together for students, and that we all need to be flexible during this trying time.

I know from my experience working with many career-tech educators and visiting you, your schools and programs that each of you will approach this experience from the viewpoint of “how can I help?” and display patience as guidance is issued from the Ohio Department of Education and school leaders determine how to best continue to educate students.   It is in this spirit that we – educators, students and parents – will all get through this unprecedented experience.

As an association, Ohio ACTE will work hard to support members so you can focus on your students.  Ohio ACTE will diligently represent career-technical education as guidance is developed for schools, and we will collaborate with the Ohio Association of Career Technical Superintendents and Ohio Association of Comprehensive and Compact Career-Technical Schools. 

It is the characteristics of our career-technical education community – resiliency, innovation and caring – that I know will get us not just through the school closures, but the COVID-19 concern overall.

Ohio ACTE also asks for your understanding as events are cancelled and we deal with the follow up of those cancellations.

Your Ohio ACTE leaders will continue to keep you updated and communicate as much as we learn, as well as determine how we can best serve our members during this time.  We will include updates on our website, www.OhioACTE.org as available.

In summary, Ohio ACTE would like to assure you that we will provide as much information and resources as we can while we all work through the challenges presented by COVID-19.  

Thank you in advance for your resiliency and flexibility,

Christine Gardner

 Executive Director

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has announced that due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, he has ordered that all kindergarten through 12th grade schools close for a period of several weeks. 

Beginning at the conclusion of the school day on Monday, March 16, all K-12 schools will close to students through Friday, April 3. This order includes all public, community, and private K-12 schools in the state, but does not apply to Ohio’s childcare system such as daycare centers and home-based childcare providers.

During this extended period of closure, schools should work to provide education through alternative means and school district leadership may make decisions on whether to use their school buildings. Staff members should continue to report to school as directed by administrators.

"We want to thank educators and administrators for the extraordinary efforts they will take to continue offering services during this time of national crisis," said Governor DeWine.

Over the next 72 hours, the Ohio Department of Education will develop guidance for K-12 schools to ensure the continuity of important student services, including a strategy for providing meals.

The following has been developed in collaboration with the Ohio Department of Health, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose and the Ohio Department of Education and is being provided to school districts hosting polling locations at their schools.

As we know, the Ohio Department of Health follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) interim guidelines to prevent the introduction and spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) into schools.  Schools should continue to collaborate, share information, and review plans with local health officials to help protect the whole school community, including those with special health needs.

Specific to Election Day, it’s important to note that Election Day is different from other large public events or gatherings. Unlike large gatherings like the Arnold Fitness Classic or high attendance conferences, voting on election day takes place in small communities of neighbors who are more likely than not to interact in other ways every day – whether at the grocery store, in church, or elsewhere. Unlike other large public events or gatherings, Election Day does not reflect a situation where bigger crowds from geographically different areas come into one tight space, which could cause greater concerns about virus transmission.

Additionally, and as you know, polling locations at schools already are partitioned from the student population and measures are taken to ensure that students and voters do not interact. The Ohio Secretary of State has provided guidance to county boards of elections regarding the appropriate and regular cleaning of voting equipment.

Finally, and per the CDC, it’s recommended that schools continue to clean frequently touched surfaces (e.g., doorknobs, light switches, countertops) with the cleaners typically used. Use all cleaning products according to the directions on the label.

FOR THESE REASONS, IT IS SAFE FOR SCHOOLS TO CONTINUE TO SERVE AS POLLING LOCATIONS ON ELECTION DAY.

If your school is not already scheduled to be closed for instruction on Election Day that option may certainly be considered if there are concerns about students being in the building while voters are present.

For more information on general guidelines for schools regarding response to coronavirus, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov.