Ohio Extends Afterschool Child Enrichment (ACE) Program

Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Director Stephen D. Dackin announced today that the recipients of Ohio’s Afterschool Child Enrichment (ACE) savings account program now have additional time to use their approved funds. The deadline to spend funds on eligible learning activities has been extended to Sept. 1, 2025. All claims for ACE payments or reimbursement must be submitted by Oct. 15, 2025.

DEW Director Recommends Appointment of Jeremy B. Varner to Lead Division of Career-Technical Education and Workforce

Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) Director Stephen D. Dackin today announced he is recommending the appointment of Jeremy B. Varner to be the Department’s new deputy director leading the Division of Career-Technical Education and Workforce.

State Leaders Celebrate Ohio Students Committing to Service in U.S. Armed Forces

Stephen D. Dackin, director of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce; Maj. Gen. (U.S. Army retired) Deborah Ashenhurst, director of the Ohio Department of Veterans Services; and Ohio Second Lady Tina Husted today recognized high school students from throughout Ohio who have committed to service in the U.S. military.

Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Announces Summer Food Service Program 

Director Stephen D. Dackin announced the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce is seeking local nonprofit agencies to participate as sponsors or sites for this year’s Summer Food Service Program to increase participation in summer meal programs. The Summer Food Service Program ensures children ages 1-18 continue to receive nutritious meals during the summer break from school, when they do not have access to school breakfast or lunch. In summer 2023, Ohio summer program sponsors served more than 5 million meals at more than 2,000 sites across the state.

State Leaders Release Recommendations to Improve Statewide Student Attendance

Today, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, Supreme Court of Ohio Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy, Interim Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Chris Woolard and other partners highlighted Ohio’s commitment to improving school attendance statewide during the Ohio Takes the Pledge to Stay in the Game! event held at the Columbus City Preparatory School for Girls. During the event, members of the Ohio Attendance Taskforce announced recommendations to improve school attendance and reduce chronic absence.