OFT President discusses key education challenges in Ohio

Picture of awfblog awfblog February 18, 2025

America's Work Force Union Podcast AWF Ohio Federation of Teachers

AWF-Blogo-Logos-Template-400x400_oft

Guest Name:

Melissa Cropper

Guest Website:

Ohio Federation of Teachers

Guest Social Media:

Facebook

Twitter

Supportive Documents:

Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, joined America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss pressing issues that could impact the state’s education system including Ohio Senate Bill 1, school funding and possible federal education cuts.

According to Cropper, Ohio Senate Bill 1 poses significant challenges for Ohio's public colleges and universities if passed. She explained that the bill introduces legislative micromanagement, limits collective bargaining rights and restricts the ability to strike in higher education. Cropper said the bill would impose constraints on teaching controversial issues, which are vaguely defined, and target diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Despite overwhelming opposition, with over 800 testimonies against the bill, it has passed the Senate and is now moving to the House.

School funding remains a contentious issue in Ohio, with a disconnect between Gov. Mike DeWine and Speaker of the House Matt Huffman. Cropper highlighted the need for the Fair School Funding Plan, which aims to provide a sustainable and equitable funding model based on the actual cost of educating students. While the governor supports the plan, there is resistance to updating cost inputs to reflect current data. Cropper said Huffman's preference for vouchers over public school funding further complicates the situation, threatening the financial stability of Ohio's public education system.

The potential elimination of the U.S. Department of Education under the Trump administration could have severe consequences for Ohio's schools. Cropper outlined the risks, including the loss of Title I, IDEA Part B and Title IX funding, which support underrepresented and special education students. The reduction in federal funding could exacerbate existing challenges, particularly for low-income and special-needs students. Cropper stressed the importance of solidarity and advocacy in trying to protect these essential resources.

Listen to the full episode with Cropper to learn more about the challenges facing public education in Ohio.

America’s Work Force is the only daily labor podcast in the US and has been on the air since 1993, supplying listeners with useful, relevant input into their daily lives through fact-finding features, in-depth interviews, informative news segments and practical consumer reports. America’s Work Force is committed to providing an accessible venue in which America's workers and their families can hear discussion on important, relevant topics such as employment, healthcare, legislative action, labor-management relations, corporate practices, finances, local and national politics, consumer reports and labor issues.

America’s Work Force Union Podcast is brought to you in part by our sponsors: AFL-CIO, American Federation of Government Employees, American Federation of Musicians Local 4, Alliance for American Manufacturing, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes-IBT, Boyd Watterson, Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, Communication Workers of America, Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust, International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 50, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Crafts, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 6, Ironworkers Great Lakes District Council, Melwood, The Labor Citizen newspaper, Laborers International Union of North America, The National Labor Office of Blue Cross and Blue Shield, North Coast Area Labor Federation, Ohio Federation of Teachers, United Labor Agency, United Steelworkers.

OFT President discusses key education challenges in Ohio

SUBSCRIBE ON:

OFT President discusses key education challenges in Ohio

Defend Democracy Project Chair warns of threats to workers' rights

Teamsters GP Sean O'Brien on negotiations, automation and organizing

RECENT EPISODES

OFT President discusses key education challenges in Ohio

Defend Democracy Project Chair warns of threats to workers' rights

Teamsters GP Sean O'Brien on negotiations, automation and organizing

SUBSCRIBE

NEWSLETTER