Ohio Department of Education and Workforce

Ohio State Fair 🤝 Our outstanding team

Ohio is the heart of education and we're excited to meet this year's fairgoers!

Ohio is the heart of education and we’re excited to meet this year’s fairgoers!

Stop by our Ohio State Fair booth at the Lausche Youth Exploration Space for some interstellar learning and hands-on activities as we showcase space exploration, careers, wellness programs, and more.

We are excited to announce that registration for the Ford Driving Skills for Life event in Amherst on Aug. 17-18 is now open! This FREE hands-on clinic will help newly licensed drivers improve their skills in four key areas. Register at https://bit.ly/3XpLO7O

🚸 The Ohio Department of Transportation's Safe Routes to School program supports education initiatives and builds infrastructure, including sidewalks and enhanced pedestrian crossings. This year, the program is funding 29 projects in 19 counties.

Details: https://bit.ly/4cI9HMK

Countdown to fun, learning, and family-friendly adventures! The Ohio State Fair kicks off in ONE WEEK.

Plan your visit: https://ohiostatefair.com

🚍 Four Ohio school bus drivers recently competed against the top drivers from throughout the United States and Canada as part of the School Bus Driver International Safety Competition.

🔹 Tara Paquette, Petermann/Durham servicing Lakota Schools
🔹 David Pitrone, Solon Schools
🔹 Jered Winnestaffer, Community Bus Services contracted at Groveport Madison Schools
🔹 Kevin Ball, Olentangy Schools

Winnestaffer placed third in the conventional bus event and fourth place overall in the competition. Ball placed eighth in the transit bus event, Pitrone placed 14th in the conventional bus event, and Paquette placed 13th in the transit bus event.

Congratulations to all!

We want to make sure as many families as possible are taking advantage of this opportunity for financial assistance. Completing the FAFSA takes less than one hour, but it can unlock significant financial opportunities.

Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Mike Duffey and Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Director Stephen D. Dackin are continuing to urge students across Ohio to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Upon completion, many students are able to receive debt-free financial aid for college or postsecondary training.

Read here: https://highered.ohio.gov/about/news-events/all-news/fafsa-july2024

Research shows that student cell phone use in school has a negative impact on academic performance and mental health. Without access to cell phones, students can focus on the present, the people around them, and their education.

Visit https://education.ohio.gov/cellphones for a toolkit that includes resources for families and a model policy for administrators designed to minimize student use of cell phones during school hours.

Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine recently celebrated the new Kids' Town Park early literacy exhibit at the Cincinnati Museum Center. DEW Chief of Literacy Dr. Melissa Weber-Mayrer provided welcoming remarks and joined in the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Ohio author and artist Annie Ruth shared her book, “I Can Read” with children in attendance. It was an exciting event and each young reader received a copy of “The Hungry Caterpillar.”

Healthy food all summer! We’re sponsoring SUN Meals, a summer food program where kids eat free at participating sites and no sign-up is needed. Visit https://education.ohio.gov/KidsEat to find a location near you.

✨🇺🇸✨ We wish everyone a safe and happy Independence Day!

Ohio is a leader in its support to military families. Director Steve Dackin recently connected with school leaders and educators during the Ohio Purple Star Summit at Big Walnut High School. The event focused on supports for military-connected students and the role educators play to help them succeed. Thanks to all for participating in this professional development day!

The designation for military-friendly schools recognizes learning communities that show a significant commitment to serving students and families connected to our nation’s military.

Visit https://education.ohio.gov/purplestar to learn more.

More than 1,000 education professionals attended this year’s ReadOhio Literacy Academy to focus on strategies to boost reading achievement. Check out this new short film documenting Ohio’s focus on the science of reading and the critical work happening throughout the state to support literacy.

ReadOhio: Dotting the I in Literacy For more information on everything education in Ohio, visit our website or touch base with us through social media:http://www.education.ohio.govhttps://www.f...

📖 Help your child develop a love for reading! Visit https://go.osu.edu/RTGT for "Read Together, Grow Together" tips for families. Remember to read early, read often, and enjoy reading together.

Student voice is critical to the success of school communities. Director Steve Dackin connected with students as part of the Ohio Association of Student Leaders Impact Day to hear about how they stay engaged at school, create positive learning connections, and their plans for the future. We’re cheering for these student leaders!

Congratulations to this year's U.S. Presidential Scholars from Ohio! These scholars from the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and Olentangy Schools are among 161 members of the Class of 2024 being honored nationwide. We applaud these students for their outstanding academic achievements and leadership.

📸 via U.S. Department of Education/Presidential Scholars Program |

📰 "Completing the FAFSA takes less than one hour, but it can unlock significant financial opportunities."

Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Director Stephen Dackin and Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Mike Duffey highlight the importance of the FAFSA and stress there's still time to complete it.

VOICES: Your future is too important to skip the FAFSA Congratulations to the Class of 2024! This is a proud and momentous time for Ohio’s graduating seniors as they participate in commencement ceremonies and prepare for their next chapter.

Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission recently announced more than $88 million in funding to help nearly a dozen Appalachian school districts improve public health and enhance workforce development in their areas.

Details: https://bit.ly/4ePWUth

📚 Read together, grow together! There is no perfect way to read with your child. The important thing is to read often! Read the same books over and over. This gives your child the chance to grow their skills and confidence.

Read Together, Grow Together: Tips for Reading with Young Children Start reading to kids even before they can talk. Young minds are always learning and growing. They pick up language as infants. That’s why reading to young c...

Families who have been awarded funds from the Afterschool Child Enrichment (ACE) educational savings account program have more time to spend their money. The deadline for families to spend funds has been extended to Sept. 1, 2025.

Details: https://education.ohio.gov/OhioACE

Check out the resources available in the AI Education Toolkit. From an introduction to AI for educators and parents to guidelines and templates for superintendents, this toolkit will help schools develop plans and policies to best fit their learning community.

⇨ https://innovateohio.gov/AItoolkit

💻 Schools are loving our AI toolkit!

➡️ Check it out today: innovateohio.gov/aitoolkit

Honor ∙ Reflect ∙ Celebrate

Director Steve Dackin participated in a panel at today’s Ohio Innovation Summit to discuss AI and the work supporting schools to respond and adapt to continuous innovation in education and the workforce. Thank you to the Ohio Innovation Technology Association!

📚 Read together, grow together! Choose books that match your child's age and interests. Find more literacy tips for families with young learners: https://go.osu.edu/RTGT

🎓 Dallas Burns, Shaker Heights Schools Class of 2024, recently celebrated TWO major achievements by simultaneously earning her high school diploma and an associate's degree from Franklin University, through College Credit Plus. Congratulations, Dallas!

Shaker Heights senior graduates with college degree before getting high school diploma Shaker Heights senior Dallas Burns already has a college diploma before her high school graduation Wednesday.

The Ohio Senate today confirmed Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Director Stephen Dackin's recommendation to appoint Jeremy Varner as the Deputy Director of the Division of Career-Technical Education and Workforce.

Congratulations and welcome to Deputy Director Varner!

Working together to raise literacy achievement! 1,000+ educators are in Columbus for our 7th Annual ReadOhio Literacy Academy.

Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Chief of Literacy Dr. Melissa Weber-Mayrer led a panel discussion of Ohio education leaders who have championed efforts in the science of reading. The discussion highlighted progress, challenges, the magnitude of this work, and the impact it makes for students. We can’t wait for tomorrow!