News and Events for March 10 through March 21, 2025

DEADLINE EXTENDED!

Nominations for 2024 R.A. Horn Outstanding Student Achievement and

Franklin B. Walter Outstanding

Educator Awards

State Support Team Region 8 will continue to facilitate the nomination process for the R. A. Horn Outstanding Student Achievement and Franklin B. Walter Outstanding Special Educator Awards. Within each of the 16 State Support Teams in Ohio, the R. A. Horn award is presented to one exemplary special education student, and the Franklin B. Walter award is given to an educator or team who has made extraordinary contributions to the education of students with disabilities.

One finalist from each region in both of these award categories will be honored. Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD) may host an in-person award ceremony to honor all regional finalists. SST-8 will announce the regional finalist for both awards on the SST-8 website and share any future updates regarding a ceremony. Nominations are due by March 21, 2025 and are submitted via Google. Click below to learn more and access forms.

Click Here for Guidelines and Nominations

Combating Chronic Absenteeism with

Explicit Teaching and Engaging Strategies

High quality instruction directly impacts a student’s desire to be present and participate. Classroom teaching practices influence attendance. Our next Chronic Absenteeism meeting will be March 13th and will focus on explicit teaching and engaging strategies. We hope you or someone from your building can attend. Kim Nagy and Pam Kennedy, SST8 Literacy Specialists will lead attendees through effective teaching practices.

Missed the last PBIS Network meeting? No worries, we got you covered!

During the February PBIS Leader's Network, we discussed the importance of student voice in PBIS implementation. A local middle school presented their approach to gather student input, which has improved their school climate. State and local updates were also shared, including information for this year’s recognition process.

Link to recording

Link to slideshow

🎙️ Bridging the Knowledge Gap in Education 🎙️

Did you know that background knowledge is the key to reading comprehension? In this episode of 8 with 8, educational journalist and author Natalie Wexler joins SST8 co-hosts Janelle Schuler, Annette Gross, and Kim Nagy to discuss how building background knowledge and vocabulary can transform literacy outcomes. Drawing from her influential book The Knowledge Gap and her research, Natalie offers practical insights and strategies to close equity gaps and support all learners.

🎧 Tune in to explore actionable ways to improve literacy and unlock student success. Listen now to make an impact in your district and classroom!

R8LL SOR Network Meetings

8:45-9:45 am Zoom

Thank you for those that joined us for R8LL. We are excited to continue our collaboration community improvement network with the Region 8 Literacy Leaders Network with SST8, Summit ESC, Medina ESC, focusing on the Science of Reading. This initiative allows professional development to come alive in the classroom as educators share practical applications. Attendees will also have the opportunity to discuss challenges and solutions with colleagues, enhancing their ability to apply the Science of Reading knowledge effectively.

If you would like to give us some feedback on what you would like to see in this network next year, please use this link to take a quick survey.

The remaining meetings for this year will be offered on Zoom at 8:45-9:45am.

March 21st : Implementing Writing

May 16th: Implementing Vocabulary and Fluency

Simplify & Strengthen Your PD with SST8’s Ready-Made Resources

The SST8 PD Resource Brochure is an invaluable tool for school districts and buildings looking to conduct in-house professional development. It provides a curated selection of high-quality, research-based training opportunities tailored to meet the diverse needs of educators and support staff. With a focus on improving instructional practices, student outcomes, and school climate, the brochure offers flexible and customizable options that align with district goals and priorities. Check out all the options and topics!

Congratulations to the Region 8 districts and buildings recently honored with Ohio's Momentum Award for their 2024 Report Card! The momentum award is for districts and buildings that have improved their performance index by 3 or more points from 2022-2023 report card to the 2023-2024 report card AND received a value-added progress rating of 4 or more stars. We salute the dedication of these teachers and leaders in helping their students excel and reach new heights!

Medina County Winners:

Cloverleaf High School, Cloverleaf Local Schools

Garfield Elementary, Medina City Schools

Wadsworth High School, Wadsworth City Schools

Portage County Winners:

James A Garfield Middle School, James A Garfield Local Schools

Holden Elementary, Kent City Schools

Longcoy Elementary, Kent City Schools

Ravenna High School, Ravenna City Schools

Henry Defer Intermediate, Streetsboro City Schools

Streetsboro Middle School, Streetsboro City Schools

Streetsboro High School, Streetsboro City Schools

Kathrine Thomas Elementary, Windham Exempted Village Schools

Summit County Winners:

Case CLC, Akron Public Schools

Findley CLC, Akron Public Schools

National Inventors Hall of Fame STEM High School, Akron Public Schools

Glover CLC, Akron Public Schools

David Hill CLC, Akron Public Schools

Rimer CLC, Akron Public Schools

Windemere CLC, Akron Public Schools

Main Preparatory Academy

OH Sommers Elementary, Mogadore Local Schools

Echo Hills Elementary, Stow- Munroe Falls City

How can MTSS work in

Secondary Schools

Scheduling is an essential piece of MTSS infrastructure. If every student deserves access to the support they need, we have to prioritize that in the way we set up the school day. A well-thought-out master schedule can ensure time for intervention and enrichment to move all students forward in their learning. Thoughtful scheduling also ensures that teachers and teams have time to appropriately plan instruction and intervention.

Consider your student population, staffing, and what model will fit your needs: There is no one proper schedule. Check out this blog with suggestions.

FY2026 E4E Grant News and One Funding Application Updates

The Equity for Each grant is now called the E4E grant! The E4E competitive grant assists recipients, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, and the Ohio Department of Higher Education, in identifying and promoting promising practices for continuously improving career-technical education delivery and may support recipients in the ongoing development and alignment of local data collection systems to improve data-driven decision-making and strategic planning. The state of Ohio is committed to improving access, engagement, and outcomes for all career-technical education students with an intentional focus on students included in Perkins V's defined special populations.

FY2026 E4E Competitive Grant Application

Applying for the grant will include a document upload in the One Funding Application. A soft launch of the One Funding Application is planned prior to the official launch in June. The soft launch is intended only for entities that intend on applying for the FY2026 Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant or the E4E Grant.

Interested E4E applicants are required to attend one of the One Funding Application Soft Launch and Training sessions.

Question about the E4E Grant scan be directed to Christopher.Moscato@education.ohio.gov.

2025 Survey - A Dad's Perspective: Supporting Fathers of Children with Developmental Disability

The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities continues to build on a collaboration among state agencies, communities, and other networks to ensure fathers of children with developmental disabilities are supported, engaged, and empowered. As work moves forward, we want to know: What are fathers’ current perspectives? What are fathers' experiences in systems that support their child with developmental disabilities? What do fathers want? What do fathers need? How do systems and organizations best support fathers of children with developmental disabilities?

If you are an Ohio father of a child or children of any age with a developmental disability, please take the short A Dad’s Perspective survey to share your experiences.

The 2025 A Dad’s Perspective survey will be open until March 31.

Limitless!

Day of Learning and Networking

March 14th 9 am to 4 pm

Engage in a one-day conference designed for future, current and graduated students of Ohio’s inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) programs! Families and professionals in secondary transition are also encouraged to attend.

Click on the flyer for more information and to register!

Ohio’s Latest Approved LEA Lists

Ohio’s latest approved LEA lists have been released.

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s updated lists of approved core curriculum and instructional materials in English language arts and approved evidence-based reading intervention programs are now available.