Budget implementation updates on grade band flexibility and home education notification and pupil transportation compliance requirements

10/23/2023

Learn about budget implementation updates on grade band flexibility, home education notification and pupil transportation compliance requirements.

Grade Band Flexibility

A school district or community school may employ or assign an educator to teach up to two grade levels outside of their current licensure grade band. The individual still must be certified in Ohio to teach the subject area to which they are assigned.

Eligible educators must hold a professional or standard resident educator teaching license. Note that those teaching outside of their grade band would not meet the definition of properly certified as shown on the Ohio School Report Cards.

Contact the Office of Educator Effectiveness or Office of Educator Licensure with any questions.

Home-Education Notification Changes

House Bill 33 of the 135th General Assembly included significant changes to the notification requirements for home-educated students.
 
Parents and guardians still must notify the superintendent of their district of residence that they are planning to home-educate their children, but the information that must be submitted has changed as well as what is required from the district of residence.
 
Parents and guardians must give their name, address, the names of the children and an assurance they will provide instruction in the areas of English language arts, mathematics, science, government, history and social studies. There is no longer a requirement for providing the curriculum the family has chosen or assessment information.
 
Once the parent or guardian has submitted the notification, the superintendent must provide a written acknowledgment of the superintendent's receipt of the notification to the parent or guardian within 14 calendar days. The student is considered a home-educated student once notification is submitted by the parent or guardian to the district. There is no longer a requirement for the district of residence to provide a letter of excusal from compulsory attendance.
 
For more information on the home-education notification changes, please see Ohio law.

Compliance with Pupil Transportation Requirements

Ohio House Bill 33 of the 135th General Assembly created new compliance requirements for pupil transportation services. The Compliance with Pupil Transportation Requirements webpage provides a high-level overview to inform schools and districts of some of the new enforcement requirements. Direct questions to schoolbus@education.ohio.gov.