Effective: April 8, 2019
Latest Legislation: House Bill 477 - 132nd General Assembly
(A) As used in this section:
(1) "Core subject area" means reading and English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, foreign language, and fine arts.
(2) "Properly certified or licensed teacher" means a classroom teacher who has successfully completed all requirements for certification or licensure under this chapter applicable to the subject areas and grade levels in which the teacher provides instruction and the students to whom the teacher provides the instruction.
(3) "Properly certified paraprofessional" means a paraprofessional who holds an educational aide permit issued under section 3319.088 of the Revised Code and satisfies at least one of the following conditions:
(a) Has a designation of "ESEA qualified" on the educational aide permit;
(b) Has successfully completed at least two years of coursework at an accredited institution of higher education;
(c) Holds an associate degree or higher from an accredited institution of higher education;
(d) Meets a rigorous standard of quality as demonstrated by attainment of a qualifying score on an academic assessment specified by the department of education.
(B) Beginning July 1, 2019, no city, exempted village, local, joint vocational, or cooperative education school district shall do either of the following:
(1) Employ any classroom teacher to provide instruction in a core subject area to any student, unless such teacher is a properly certified or licensed teacher;
(2) Employ any paraprofessional in a program supported with funds received under Title I of the "Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965," 20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq., to provide academic support in a core subject area to any student, unless such paraprofessional is a properly certified paraprofessional.
(C) At the start of each school year, each school district shall notify the parent or guardian of each student enrolled in the district that the parent or guardian may request information on the professional qualifications of each classroom teacher who provides instruction to the student. The district shall provide the information on each applicable teacher in a timely manner to any parent or guardian who requests it. Such information shall include at least the following:
(1) Whether the teacher has satisfied all requirements for certification or licensure under this chapter applicable to the subject areas and grade levels in which the teacher provides instruction and the students to whom the teacher provides the instruction, or whether the teacher provides instruction under a waiver of any such requirements;
(2) Whether a paraprofessional provides any services to the student and, if so, the qualifications of the paraprofessional.