Honesty for Ohio Education Statement About
HB 616 Sponsor Testimony
May 31, 2022 | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COLUMBUS — Today, Honesty for Ohio Education released the following statement condemning the sponsor testimony for House Bill 616.
“At a time when the nation is mourning the horrific murder of children and teachers, Ohio’s young people, educators and families are demanding that our elected leaders protect rather than harm our students. Yet Ohio legislators continue to show they are beholden to a national extremist agenda that will sacrifice innocent lives, erase identities, and rob students of an honest education.
“In peddling a third nationally coordinated educational gag order, it is clear that Reps. Loychik and Schmidt know little about Ohio education and even less about the real needs and priorities of Ohio students and families.
“During the hearing, Reps. Loychik and Schmidt dodged committee members’ questions about the vague language in the bill and the implications it would have for training, discipline, and an honest education.
“Rather than addressing root causes of the teacher shortage crisis, Ohio’s unconstitutionally funded and under-resourced schools, and the urgent need for wrap-around services and mental health resources, Reps. Loychik and Schmidt are weaponizing race and identity to perpetuate a manufactured crisis about what is and is not being taught in schools. It is appalling and outrageous elected leaders would side-step immediate urgent issues for a solution in search of a problem.
“Ohioans of all stripes resoundingly condemned and rebuked HB 616 when it was introduced in April, and continue to protest its racist, homophobic, transphobic dogwhistles. Students, schools, local governments, businesses, nonprofits, faith leaders, and healthcare providers want an honest education where all identities and cultures are affirmed and celebrated. HB 616 and bills like it are not the answer.“
“At a time when the nation is mourning the horrific murder of children and teachers, Ohio’s young people, educators and families are demanding that our elected leaders protect rather than harm our students. Yet Ohio legislators continue to show they are beholden to a national extremist agenda that will sacrifice innocent lives, erase identities, and rob students of an honest education.
“In peddling a third nationally coordinated educational gag order, it is clear that Reps. Loychik and Schmidt know little about Ohio education and even less about the real needs and priorities of Ohio students and families.
“During the hearing, Reps. Loychik and Schmidt dodged committee members’ questions about the vague language in the bill and the implications it would have for training, discipline, and an honest education.
“Rather than addressing root causes of the teacher shortage crisis, Ohio’s unconstitutionally funded and under-resourced schools, and the urgent need for wrap-around services and mental health resources, Reps. Loychik and Schmidt are weaponizing race and identity to perpetuate a manufactured crisis about what is and is not being taught in schools. It is appalling and outrageous elected leaders would side-step immediate urgent issues for a solution in search of a problem.
“Ohioans of all stripes resoundingly condemned and rebuked HB 616 when it was introduced in April, and continue to protest its racist, homophobic, transphobic dogwhistles. Students, schools, local governments, businesses, nonprofits, faith leaders, and healthcare providers want an honest education where all identities and cultures are affirmed and celebrated. HB 616 and bills like it are not the answer.“
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Honesty for Ohio Education is a nonpartisan, statewide coalition that champions honest education, affirmation of identities, cultures, and experiences, and local control in education. The coalition represents more than 30 state and local organizations and hundreds of students, families, and educators across the state.