House Republicans want to keep politics out of the classroom, but Democrats worry that a new bill only censors teachers.
Parliamentary Bill 214, which passed the House on Wednesday by a vote of 64-30, would require school districts to adopt policies that prohibit requiring teachers, job applicants or students to ascribe specific political or ideological beliefs. These policies must be publicly available for review.
The bill would not prevent schools from complying with anti-discrimination rules or prohibit teachers from teaching about politics, religion or ideologies in general.
The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Adam Holmes, R-Nashport, expressed concern that “teachers, staff and students in Ohio’s K-12 public schools may face negative consequences for expressing certain political perspectives or failing to comply with specific ideological views.”
“Passing this bill will help ensure that all of our public schools remain protected speech environments,” Holmes said.
But Democrats and educators say those changes aren’t needed. Teachers must already follow professional codes of conduct.
“This is an example of a political effort to censor teachers, stifle education and instill fear in educators at a time when Ohio continues to struggle to attract and retain quality people in the teaching profession,” said Scott DiMauro, president of the Education Association of Ohio.
Rep. Sean Brennan, D-Parma, said, “I think we should trust our teachers who show up for students and serve them selflessly every day.”
The bill will need approval from the Ohio Senate before going to Gov. Mike DeWine’s desk.
Jessie Balmert is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.