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Joe
Uecker
State
Representative
06/25/06
Helping
Ohio’s
Children Achieve Educational Success
Recognizing
that education is the most powerful tool we have to ensure
our children have every opportunity to become successful
and to help Ohio’s future, the members of the Ohio House
of Representatives have worked very hard to make as many
educational options available to as many students in Ohio
as possible. Children
have different learning styles and therefore create a need
for educational alternatives.
My
colleagues and I have invested in and supported a variety
of initiatives that offer
Ohio
parents more choices in the education of their children
than ever before. Through multiple projects we have
provided both institutional choices with investments in
scholarships, voucher programs and charter schools as well
as a variety of curriculum choices by supporting various
career and technical courses.
One
such scholarship program, the Educational Choice
Scholarship Program was initiated this past year. This
project offers increased educational options to those
qualifying children and families who are continually
underserved by traditional schools. Under this program,
students in kindergarten through fourth grade are eligible
for $4,000 scholarships, while students in fifth through
eighth grade are eligible for $4,500 and students in ninth
through 12th grade are eligible for $5,000.
This spring we were able to expand the eligibility factors
for this program to include a broader range of students in
need.
Currently,
the Educational Choice Scholarship Program provides 14,000
scholarships statewide, however, not every available
scholarship is being used. As a result, the Ohio
Department of Education recently announced a second
enrollment period for the 2006-2007 school year beginning
July 21 through August 4 – which will allow more parents
to learn about the expanded program and encourage
additional students to utilize the available scholarships.
The
Legislature is also continually encouraging our students
to become more involved in science, mathematics,
engineering and technology fields that will be the drivers
of our state’s economy in the years ahead. Other
organizations across
Ohio
recognize the importance of these subjects as well. One
example of efforts to encourage increased study in these
fields is the recent announcement of a new partnership
between the Ohio Department of Education and the Ford
Motor Company Fund. The two organizations will work
together to implement an educational program across the
state. Through a $250,000 grant, the Department of
Education will combine rigorous high school academics with
real world learning exercises as part of the Ford
Partnership for Advanced Studies. This program will stress
problem solving and critical thinking among students,
while encouraging and preparing them for careers in
manufacturing and technology and enhancing the skills and
talents our young people need.
Additionally,
The Ohio State University and nonprofit research
organization Battelle have decided to undertake two new
ventures aimed at improving science, technology,
engineering and mathematics education in
Ohio
. This fall the
Metro
School
, located in central
Ohio
, will open its doors to offer students exemplary math and
science training. Schools such as this will engage
students in math, science, engineering and technology and
encourage more students to enter these fields. This
partnership is also forming a think tank, the
Battelle
Center
for Mathematics and Science Education Policy, which will
increase the understanding of what stimulates student
interests in these areas and how to improve the teaching
of these subjects.
In
order to ensure that each and every
Ohio
student succeeds, we must continue to do all that we can
to provide educational choices regarding settings and
curriculum. We recognize that a one-size-fits-all approach
to our education system will not serve the needs of all of
our students. However, providing our students, parents and
teachers with adequate alternatives is no small task. We
remain committed to supporting increased science and
technology curriculums as well as scholarships, vouchers
and other alternative programs.
As
we continue to support and improve each education system
in our state through record levels of funding and
innovative new programs we hope to witness the educational
success of every child. The
success of our economy depends on it.
Joe
Uecker
State
Representative
Ohio’s
66 District
Representing
Batavia, Goshen, Miami and Union Townships as well as the
Cities of Loveland and Milford and the Villages of Batavia
and Amelia.(614)
466-8134
District
Office (513)-248-2565
Website:
www.JoeUecker.com
Email:
Joe@JoeUecker.com |
