Apply for the 2008 Tom Mooney Memorial Scholarship - deadline is May 15. The scholarship was established in 2006 to honor late OFT President Tom Mooney's legacy in public education and union work, and to help others pursue his passions for social justice and political action. Scholarship details.

The State Employment Relations Board certified election results in which 98 percent of votes were cast for the Ohio Federation of Teachers to provide union representation for the more than 500 employees of Franklin County Children Services. See the new local's officers. Members: Check out the local union's Constitution

This year's OFT Summer Union Leadership Institute, a training and leadership development program, will expand to offer a fifth course June 23-25 in Findlay, Ohio. Participation in ULI trainings can help with licensure requirements and develop and broaden skills as professionals and as union members and leaders.

In this issue:

•          $2,000 Tom Mooney Memorial Scholarship Deadline is May 15

•          Register by May 9 for Ohio Schools to Watch Offers Info Session

•          National Board Certification Stipend Deadline May 30

•          2008 Summer ULI Set for June 23-25

•          Upcoming Events

As a professional, you face myriad challenges in the workplace, ranging from limited resources to do your job and lack of professional development opportunities, to privatization and vacancy savings. Your views on these and other issues matter to the AFT. That's why we want to hear from you. Sign on to AFT Voices to answer the question: "What contract language has the most positive impact on your work life"?

The Ohio Federation of Teachers recently endorsed candidates in 57 state legislative races. Endorsed candidates include incumbents as well as several challengers.

Summary of hearings on:

SCR18 - Academic accountability 

HB254 - Student nutrition 

HB439 - School suicide prevention

SB57   - Special education vouchers

SB 264 - Teacher strikes

SB 270 - School employee misconduct

IRS Asked to Examine 501(c)(3) Filings of For-Profit Charter Chains

By a letter sent to the IRS today, that federal agency is being asked to examine whether charter schools managed by the for-profit corporation White Hat Management, Inc. and its affiliates can be properly registered as 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entities under federal law.

Statement by Ohio Federation of Teachers President Sue Taylor:

(March 5, 2008) In Tuesday's primary election, Ohio voters recognized that Hillary Clinton has the experience, skill and knowledge needed to turn this country and our state back in the right direction. Volunteers from the ranks of the Ohio Federation of Teachers helped provide the edge Clinton needed to be victorious in the Buckeye state.

Dates differ by license, certificate

Deadlines have been set for the new BCI and FBI background checks for licensed educators and school employees that are required by House Bill 190. The deadlines differ based on the type of license or certificate the educator currently holds. Click here for details.

A program in Ohio that gives $20,000 vouchers to parents of children with autism to use at state-approved private schools and agencies is rarely used to provide a school setting for these children, according to a new report from Ohio Policy Matters, a state-based research think tank.

The State Board of Education raised licensure renewal fees from $12 per year to $40 per year effective March 1.

(Feb. 6, 2008) “In his State of the State address, Gov. Ted Strickland sent a strong message that he is serious about strengthening public education,” said Ohio Federation of Teachers President Sue Taylor. “The Governor rightfully connected ideas on how to strengthen the economy and create jobs to the need to support a strong system of public education.” See the rest of OFT's response and read the text of his speech ...

10th Anniversary Review of Performance Data Proves Ohio’s Charter School Experiment a Failure

(Aug. 22, 2007) Ohio’s traditional public schools continue to provide the best opportunity for children to learn and succeed, according to Ohio Department of Education (ODE) data. For the 10^th year in a row, Ohio’s public school districts far outperformed the state’s chain of publicly funded, privately operated charter schools.

AFT has developed an online Special Education Complaint Form designed to capture member complaints on special education issues. Any information provided will be used to identify patterns of federal, state, and/or local implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education (IDEA) regulations. If you have experienced difficulties in any of these areas relating to special education, please click here to complete the survey online.

Teachscape, in partnership with an accredited university, is debuting three online masters degree programs for teachers in 2007. Teachscape is seeking input on how to make these programs relevant for you, the classroom teacher. Please take a moment to complete their survey and get a cup of coffee - the first 500 respondents will receive a $5 Starbucks certificate. Click here to take the survey.