Dear OABSE Members, Partners, and Friends:

Ohio’s school districts are now fully immersed in the 2026–2027 academic year, addressing both new and recurring challenges while embracing opportunities to strengthen teaching, leadership, and student success. I extend my sincere appreciation to the educators,

administrators, support professionals, board members, families, and community partners whose dedication makes a meaningful difference for Ohio’s students each day.

With the release of the Ohio School Report Cards, we have occasion to celebrate districts that demonstrated positive results and measurable progress in student outcomes. These accomplishments reflect the sustained efforts of students, educators, families, and school communities. We congratulate districts showing improvement and encourage all school systems to remain focused on advancing academic achievement, closing opportunity gaps, and ensuring that every student receives the support needed to thrive.

OABSE’s Legislative Committee is also preparing for a robust advocacy campaign focused on the critical issues affecting Ohio’s students, educators, and public school districts. The committee will engage members of the Ohio General Assembly and other state leaders to advance informed dialogue about educational policy, equitable funding, student achievement, educator recruitment and retention, and the resources necessary to support strong public schools. We will continue to keep our members informed and provide opportunities for the OABSE community to participate in this important advocacy work.

Planning is also fully underway for the 13th Annual NABSE Midwest Regional Education Conference, scheduled for April 29–May 2, 2027, at the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis in Downtown Indianapolis. The Conference Core Planning Committee recently conducted a site visit to the hotel to review meeting spaces, event logistics, accommodations, and the overall conference experience. We have also assembled a local site committee that will work closely with the core committee to ensure a highly successful, engaging, and memorable event.

Please save the dates and watch for forthcoming information regarding registration, sponsorships, exhibitors, presenters, and special conference activities.

As we move through September, let us remain united in our commitment to excellence, equity, advocacy, and opportunity.

Together, we will continue strengthening our organization,

supporting Ohio’s educational leaders, and advancing outcomes for the students and communities we serve.

Thank you for your continued leadership, service, and commitment to OABSE.

Forward ever, backward never,

Thandabantu Maceo

Director, NABSE Region and Affiliate Affairs

Executive Director, NABSE Midwest

President, OABSE

OHIO SCHOOL REPORTS

Ohio's public schools have earned generally positive marks on the most recent state report cards, reflecting broad academic improvements and a clear path forward for districts across the state (State News overview). As highlighted in recent overviews and editorials (Vindy editorial), these evaluations showcase our collective progress and dedication to educational excellence.

A major driver of this success is a five-year high in literacy proficiency, achieved following the first full year of implementing the science of reading curriculum (Governor's Office update). This milestone underscores the powerful impact that targeted curriculum shifts and foundational reading strategies have on student achievement.

Individual districts are celebrating wonderful milestones as well. Dayton Public Schools earned four out of five stars in career tech (Dayton Public Schools report), Cincinnati Public Schools demonstrated notable performance (Spectrum News 1 report), and the Cleveland Metropolitan School District scored 2.5 stars (Signal Cleveland report). Beyond the star ratings, local communities continue to show deep pride and steadfast support for their neighborhood schools (Cleveland.com opinion).

NABSE MIDWEST also celebrate individual educator excellence across the state, highlighted by the naming of Taya Kidd as the Ohio Teacher of the Year (Reynoldsburg City Schools announcement). Achievements like this remind us of the profound difference our teachers and administrators make every day in shaping a brighter future for Ohio students.

OABSE IN THE NEWS

Ohio's public schools showed improved grades in 2025-26 state report cards

State education leaders are celebrating over the annual report cards, which analyze data from last school year for all public districts and individual buildings as well as charter schools, but not private schools.

Taya Kidd is Named Ohio Teacher of the Year!

The State Board of Education of Ohio is proud to announce that Taya Kidd, a second-grade teacher at French Run Elementary School in the Reynoldsburg City School District, has been named the 2027 Ohio Teacher of the Year.

CPS now meets standards on Ohio school report card

Cincinnati Public Schools is meeting state standards for the first time under Ohio's current school report card system, but education leaders say the district's three-star rating is only one part of the picture.

CPS earned three out of five stars overall on Ohio's newly released 2025-26 School Report Card, improving from 2.5 stars last year.

Ohio counts the stars, but communities love their schools: Leslie Kouba

Perhaps you, like me, are a product of a public school education. Those of us who grew up during the 60s and 70s were part of what many considered peak enrollment years.

We were the last of the baby boomers, the Jones Generation, and there were a lot of us. It was the heyday of government-provided education.