SAVE WORLD HISTORY IN OHIO CAMPAIGN UPDATE NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT!
Senator Frank LaRose has submitted an amendment to the Ohio Budget Bill (Am. Sub. HB 59) for consideration by the Ohio Senate Finance Committee that corrects the state’s previous decision to remove World History as a requirement for high school graduation. Under Senator LaRose’s proposed amendment, Ohio high school students would be required to complete at least one full unit of “…instruction in the history of one or more cultures from around the world other than that of the United States.”
Unlike any other generation, today’s students will be actors on a global stage. To ensure Ohio lives up to its promise of creating a world-class education system, we ask that supporters contact their elected state representatives and senators (especially members on the Senate and House Finance Committees and Education Subcommittees) to ask that they support the Save World History in Ohio’s Schools provision within Am. Sub. HB 59. THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW! HB 59 has passed the house and the Senate Finance Committee is considering amendments, including the World History Amendment. When you contact your state senators and representatives, be sure to remind them that this provision is budget neutral and simply ensures all of Ohio’s high school students continue to complete coursework in World History.
Ohio Social Studies Review Call for Manuscripts
Submission deadline: Friday, July 5, 2013
Click here for more information
The 2013 OCSS annual conference will be held September 30th and October 1st, 2013 in Columbus, Ohio.
The theme of next year’s conference is Global Vision, Local Action is a reflection of the Ohio Council for the Social Studies’ efforts to help teachers and educational professionals in the field and to advocate for changes at the state level to ensure that we are “Educating Ohio’s Citizens for Tomorrow’s World.”
We are currently asking for session proposals for the 2013 OCSS Conference. FREE conference registration is available for the first 10 practicing classroom teachers who submit an accepted session proposal. Please go to Conference Proposal Submission Page of the OCSS website to submit your proposals by May 15, 2013.
Nominate a worthy colleague or pre-service teacher for an award in the following categories:
- Emerging Social Studies Leader
- Outstanding Social Studies Teacher (2 Awards total) (Elementary, Middle/Junior High, High School/Post Secondary)
- Social Studies Leader
- Dr. James J. Sheehan Pre-Service Social Studies Teacher Award
CLICK HERE to fill out the online nomination form by Friday May 3, 2013. Email to Mona Al-Hayani at monaal1@bex.net for more information.
Serve and make a difference as an OCSS Executive Board Member. We will be holding elections during the Spring of 2013 for the following positions:
- Vice-President, President Elect
- Primary Representative
- Vocational School Representative
- Supervisor’s Director
- Regional Representatives from the Northwest, Northeast, Southeast, and Southwest Regions of the State
The positions of Historian, Parliamentarian, and Legislative Liaison are appointed positions that are available.
Please contact Past President, Bill Harris, at bvharris71@sbcglobal.net if you are interested running for election or are expressing interest in one of the open OCSS Executive Board positions.
SUPPORT THE WORLD HISTORY BILL
OHIO SENATE BILL 96
The Social Studies Ohio Graduation Test (OGT) currently assesses both the 9th grade World History and 10th grade American History courses. In order to pass the OGT students, need instruction in both World and American History. During the 2014-15 school year, this de facto requirement goes away as the new American History and Government end-of-course exams come online, and the OGT is phased out. Future Ohio graduates may choose not to take or not have the option to take World History, leaving them with a limited knowledge base and understanding of world cultures, world events, and the global economy as they enter college, military, or job market. The Ohio Department of Education has already developed new learning standards, model curriculum, and course syllabus for World History, as well as two additional world studies courses: World Geography and Contemporary World Issues. The Ohio Council for the Social Studies recommends the passage Ohio Senate Bill 96, which will ensure that Ohio high school students take a World History course as a part of the 3 social studies credits required for graduation. Schools currently offer World History as a course to prepare students for the OGT, so they would not need additional staffing or resource purchases to meet the new requirement. Ideally, students would also be assessed with an end-of-course exam, but even without an assessment, a required credit will ensure Ohio’s students will continue to receive instruction in world history and cultures.
Ohio Senator Frank LaRose announces his intention to introduce a bill to require Ohio high school studies to take a World History course, in addition to American History and American Government as a part of the 3 credits they must earn in Social Studies at the Statehood Day Celebration, February 27th at the Ohio Statehouse Atrium.
NOW IS THE TIME TO CONTACT YOUR STATE SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES
OCSS Legislative Action Center has the tools that you need to contact your State Senators and Representatives. Contact your State officials today and tell them to support the World History Bill – OH SB 96!
For more information about the importance of students learning World history download the full PDF World Savvy Global Competency Research Report.
