Andrea Bauer, Retired Beavercreek City School Teacher (May 8, 2023)

Summary

Andrea Bauer, a retired Beavercreek City School Teacher and teacher of the year awardee, gave testimony dated May 8, 2023 opposing the change to the State Board of Education. The testimony says that during the career, state committees developed state curriculum under No Child Left Behind. It says the State Board has 8 appointed members (42%) and 11 (58%) elected. It urges legislators not to create DEW and not to take curriculum oversight away from the elected state board of education, saying parents want a say in curriculum and the elected member is their voice.

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Full text

May 8, 2023

My name is Andrea Bauer. I am a retired Beavercreek City School Teacher, a teacher of the
year awardee dedicated, compassionate, and committed to providing students with lessons that
challenged them to think and engage in active learning. I am here today to oppose this change
to the State Board of Education.

During my career I have served on state committees. When No Child Left Behind was enacted
and testing implemented, I joined educators from all types of districts in developing state
curriculum that local districts then implemented. Subject focused committees determined
appropriate benchmarks for grades levels and listed basic requirements for achieving these
benchmarks. I am not an advocate of state testing, but I do believe this endeavor gave all the
students in the state of Ohio the chance for an equal quality education.

Education is constantly evolving. Every school year is different because the students’ needs,
abilities, ways of learning, and readiness to learn vary. Every student is unique and their family
dynamics are unique. Students need a state board of education that understands their
uniqueness and gives educators the latitude to develop each student's potential.

The Pandemic was a rare and unprecedented occurrence. At the time decisions were made in
the best interest of children’s health. Now, as a nation we see a decline in student achievement.
Given the situation the decline should have been anticipated. Instead of changing the state
board of education, provide school districts with the extra resources needed to ensure more
individualized instruction and summer school programs. The achievement gap can be closed.

Ohio Legislators emphasize parent’s rights. Parents are provided with curriculum, book lists,
newsletters, encouragement to engage, and the ability to opt out. Parents have the right to
make educational decisions for their child but not for all children. That is and has always been
true. A change in the state board is not needed to insure parent’s rights.

This bill will make education a political football, changing with administrations. The State Board
has 8 appointed members (42%) to represent the political vision. The other 11 (58%) are
elected. The people of this state want a voice in their schools, parent’s rights. They want their
voice to be involved in curriculum decisions. Taking oversight of curriculum from the elected
state board of education is unnecessary and nefarious.

Yes, the State Board of Education at times proceeds slower than legislators wish. Like
legislation, educational decisions are a process which take time to bring to fruition. In recent
years some board members have agendas that create division, are not in the best interest of
educating our children, and extend the process.

I urge you not to create DEW and take curriculum oversight away from our elected state board
of education. Parents want a say in curriculum and their state board elected member is their
voice.


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