Welcome to Federal Policy Watch, a regular blog series from OAESA designed to keep our members informed about federal decisions that directly impact PreK-8 education. These updates are provided by OAESA’s Federal Relations Representative, Dr. Nick Neiderhouse, and will highlight key policy developments, funding decisions, and national…

– Ohio Secretary of State Kids Website – Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose recently launched a new website designed to help Ohio students explore elections, civic engagement, entrepreneurship, and the importance of active citizenship. The new resource builds on the Secretary of State’s ongoing efforts to make election and business information more accessible and…

– NAESP Updates – Dear Ohio NAESP Members, I’m excited to introduce myself as your NAESP State Representative for Ohio! My name is Jason Orin, and I am the principal of Louisville Middle School. I’m honored to serve in this new role. Many of you may already know me from my previous service as the …

– Ohio Voice Workgroups – Ohio Voice Workgroups The Ohio Department of Eduation and Workforce recently opened applications and nominations for their Ohio Student Voice Workgroup and their new Ohio Family Voice Workgroup. We are looking for students in grades 8-12 for the student workgroup and families of any students in grades K-12 for the family…

– Family Engagement Leadership Summit – Family Engagement Leadership Summit: Sessions on Attendance, Literacy, Math, Mental Health, and more! The Family Engagement Leadership Summit, on September 18, 2026, is a virtual  professional learning event for principals, district administrators, and other school leaders committed to strengthening family-school-community partnerships.  We invite you to “Before the Bell,” a…

– Buckeye Trail Anywhere – Bring Ohio’s Outdoors to Your Students with Buckeye Trail Anywhere Finding meaningful ways to encourage student wellness while supporting learning goals can be a challenge. Fortunately, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) has created a program that makes it easy to combine movement, exploration, and education in a flexible…

– KRA Roundtable – KRA Roundtable Dr. Wendy Grove, Senior Advisor for Research, Evaluation, and Impact at the Ohio Department of Children and Youth, and members of the curriculum & assessment team joined OAESA for an informative roundtable designed for administrators and their kindergarten teachers. This session addressed common challenges and misconceptions surrounding the KRA…

The Ohio School Counselor Association (OSCA) is now accepting nominations from professionals for the 2026 Ohio School Counselor of the Year (OSCOY). This year, OSCA will be recognizing up to five (5) finalists for this top award with one person being named OSCOY. The OSCOY will then go on to represent Ohio for the National School Counselor of the Year recognition. 

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– ODEW Literacy Updates – February 4, 2026 Save the date: 2026 ReadOhio Literacy Academy and Teacher Leadership Summit Save the date for the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s 2026 Read Ohio Literacy Academy and Ohio Teacher Leadership Summit, taking place June 3 and 4 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. The theme of…