Ohio House Passes 'Future Educators Support Act'

State Representative Gayle Manning (R-Avon) is pleased to announce that the Ohio House of Representatives has passed House Bill 523, legislation also known as the "Future Educators Support Act."

House Bill 523 works to provide financial support to Ohio's student teachers, removing a significant barrier of entry to the field of teaching and responding to the state's ongoing educator workforce shortage.

"Providing a quality education to Ohio's youth is paramount to the success of this state, and that success starts with supporting our future educators," said Rep. Manning, who jointly sponsored the legislation with State Rep. Sean Patrick Brennan (D-Parma). "House Bill 523 would relieve some of the burden that student teachers face, while working to create a sustainable and talented workforce of future educators - helping to remedy the teacher shortage across the state."

Under the bill, public schools are permitted - not required - to pay student teachers a stipend in an amount determined by the school. Additionally, a state college or university may charge a reduced tuition rate or waive certain fees for students in teacher preparation programs while they are student teaching or completing other required field experience.

The bill also requires the Department of Job and Family Services (JFS) to use data related to employment and vacancies in schools collected, published, and summarized by the Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) to create a list of in-demand teaching jobs regionally and statewide, which will be posted online. This update will help provide aspiring teachers with information about teaching jobs available in Ohio.

The bill now heads to the Senate for further consideration.