Ohio Department of Education Accountability

With Ohio's ESEA Flexibility Waiver, districts will have flexibility from sanctions and reporting requirements previously mandated in ESEA.  In order to receive this flexibility, Ohio has agreed to adapt college-and-career-ready expectations, dedicate more resources to close sub-group achievement gaps and implement an evaluation system that will support effective instruction and leadership.

• Full waiver  (PDF - 304 pp)
• Media Release - Ohio’s Request for Federal Relief Approved (May 29, 2012)
          
• Recording: June 2012 Flexibility Waiver webinar 
• Presentation: ESEA Flexibility Waiver - (PDF) August 2012       
       
• ESEA Flexibility Waiver Questions and Answers (PDF)
• ESEA Flexibility Waiver Approval Notification from the U.S. Department of Education (PDF) 

Districts are required to set aside 20% of Title I District Allocation funds to schools identified as Priority and Focus schools. Districts with Title 1- served schools identified as Alert, Low Performing or are in High, Medium or Low Support must also set aside 20 percent of the District Allocation funds for FY 13 only.

• Specific requirements for non-SIG priority, alert, focus and improvement Title I schools is available at the ESEA Waiver Schools Page.
                   
• NEW - 2012 ESEA Waiver Lists (includes Priority, Focus, Alert and Improvement schools)
• Excel spreadsheet of grade simulation
• Grade simulations for researchers
• Non SIG-Funded Requirements, Timelines and Support webinar (WMV)

Ohio’s proposal includes:

• Implementation of rigorous standards, assessments and principal and teacher evaluations;
• Replacement of the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) measure, which had the unrealistic goal of 100 percent proficiency for reading and mathematics for every student in every demographic group.  The new measures include rigorous, but realistic, objectives that aim to cut the achievement gap in reading and mathematics by half over six years, while requiring higher performance from all students;
• Changing the existing rating of schools to an A-F letter-grade system that will be easier to understand and give a realistic picture of school performance. The system and formula will officially begin with the report cards released in August 2013;
• Freeing schools from some reporting requirements and giving them greater flexibility in their use of federal funds for professional development and other purposes.