Ohio: College and Career Policies

Required by Legislature. Each teacher will be evaluated according to Ohio Revised Code and an evaluation framework that is aligned with the Standards for the Teaching Profession adopted under state law. State law (Ohio House Bill 362) brought changes to the Ohio Teacher Evaluation System for the 2014-2015 school year and beyond. The first change will allow less frequent evaluation of teachers receiving skilled and accomplished ratings, while still providing them with feedback on their work.

The State Board of Education adopted Ohio's Learning Standards in English Language Arts in 2010 (in alignment with Common Core) as a guide to teaching and learning in the classroom. The Kindergarten – Grade 12 standards have been fully in use in Ohio classrooms since the start of the 2014-2015 school year.

Ohio updated the math standards in 2010. These standards are aligned to the Common Core State Standards.

Ohio updated the science standards in 2010.

Ohio updated the social studies standards in 2010.

The Ohio State Board of Education has full authority to adopt assessments.

This includes:
-1 unit of physical sciences;
-1 unit of life sciences; and,
-1 unit advanced study in one or more of the following sciences: chemistry, physics, or other physical science; advanced biology or other life science; astronomy, physical geology, or other earth or space science.

The Ohio State Board of Education oversees teacher licensure in the state.

Each educator is responsible for the design of an Individual Professional Development Plan, subject to the approval of the Local Professional Development Committee. The plan should be based on the needs of the educator, the students, the school and the school district, and be aligned with the professional educator standards adopted by the State Board of Education.

Educators with a five year certificate need to complete 6 semester hours or 18 CEUs in order to renew their license

Ohio school districts are allowed to choose between two evaluation systems, one being the previous statewide system, and one being a new system developed to include an additional alternative component. The Original/Alternative Ohio Teacher Evaluation Systems require 42.5 to 50% of the annual evaluation to be based on student performance measures.