ProgressOhio

Four months after “it sailed through the Democratic-led House, legislation to overhaul federal student lending and channel about $80 billion in savings toward an array of education initiatives has stalled in the Senate,” the Washington Post reports.

The assumption on Capitol Hill is that Democrats will attempt to move the student loan bill through a special procedure that requires a simple majority rather than the usual 60 votes out of 100 needed to stop a filibuster. That tactic is also under discussion for health-care reform, said the aides, who asked for anonymity to speak candidly. So the two issues have become intertwined.

Timing is significant. because the student loan legislation would require all colleges to use direct government lending as of July 1 for federal loans. Currently, they can choose between direct lending and a federal program that guarantees student loans made by private banks. The bill would not affect nonfederal loans.

Prominent players in the lending industry, including Sallie Mae, oppose the legislation, saying that it will eliminate thousands of jobs and that there are ways to save the government money without shutting out private lenders. Republicans depict themselves as defenders of market competition. 

By cutting banks out of the equation, the “administration expects to reap $80 billion over the next decade for increased student aid, community colleges, early childhood education and other programs.”

(Image Courtesy of SEIU1199)

Congratulations go to State Sen. Sue Morano, D-Lorain, for her bill to increase the number of nursing educators in Ohio.

Morano, a nurse herself, sponsored the Comprehensive Nursing Education Bill, which was signed into law Monday by Gov. Ted Strickland, after learning how many nursing students were being turned away from nursing schools in Ohio and around the nation because of faculty shortages.

The new law should allow experienced nurses to continue their education as well as providing more opportunities for young people to enter the nursing field. Educating more nurses should help improve health care for Ohioans along with bringing quality medical-field jobs into the state.

State Fiscal Stabilization Funds:

The State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF) program is a new one-time appropriation of $53.6 billion under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). These funds are distributed directly to states to:

·         Help stabilize state and local government budgets in order to minimize and avoid reductions in education and other essential public services.

·         Help ensure that local educational agencies (LEAs) and public institutions of higher education (IHEs) have the resources to avert cuts and retain educational personnel and staff.

·         Help support the modernization, renovation, and repair of school and college facilities.

·         Help advance early learning through post-secondary education reforms to benefit students and families.

As of today, $1,306,352,195 in State Fiscal Stabilization funds have been awarded to Ohio.

Title I, Part A– Supporting Low-Income Schools:

The ARRA provides $10 billion in additional Title I, Part A funds to state education agencies (SEAs) and local education agencies (LEAs) to support schools that have high concentrations of students from families that live in poverty in order to help improve teaching and learning for students most at risk of failing to meet state academic achievement standards.

As of today, $186,336,747 in Title I funds have been awarded to Ohio.

IDEA Grants, Parts B & C – Improving Special Education Programs:

The ARRA provides $12.2 billion in additional funding for Parts B and C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).  Part B of the IDEA provides funds to state educational agencies (SEAs) and local educational agencies (LEAs) to help them ensure that children with disabilities, including children ages 3 through 5, have access to a free appropriate public education to meet each child's unique needs and prepare him or her for further education, employment, and independent living. Part C of the IDEA provides funds to each state lead agency designated by the Governor to implement statewide systems of coordinated, comprehensive, multidisciplinary interagency programs and make early intervention services available to infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families.

As of today, $232,752,510 in IDEA funds have been awarded to Ohio.

Education Technology Grants:

The ARRA provides $650 million in additional funding for Education Technology Grants.  The primary goal of the Education Technology Grants program is to improve student academic achievement through the use of technology in schools. It is also designed to help ensure that every student is technologically literate by the end of eighth grade and to encourage the effective integration of technology with teacher training and curriculum development.

As of today, $23,863,457 in Education Technology Grants have been awarded to Ohio.

Vocational Rehabilitation Funds:

The ARRA provides $540 million in additional funding for the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) State Grants program. The VR State Grants program provides grants to states to help individuals with disabilities, especially those individuals with the most significant disabilities, prepare for, obtain, and maintain employment.

As of today, $10,794,901 in Vocational Rehabilitation Funds have been awarded to Ohio.

Independent Living Services Fund:

The ARRA provides $140 million in additional funding for the Independent Living (IL) programs. The IL programs support services to individuals with significant disabilities and older individuals who are blind to maximize their leadership, empowerment, independence, and productivity, and to promote the integration and full inclusion of individuals with disabilities into the mainstream of American society.

As of today, $1,902,128 in Independent Living Services Funds have been awarded to Ohio.
 
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Funds:

The ARRA provides $70 million under the McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth program to assist States and local educational agencies (LEAs) in addressing the educational and related needs of some of the most vulnerable members of our society – homeless children and youth – during a time of economic crisis in the United States.

As of today, $1,913,813 in McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance funds have been awarded to Ohio.

Pell Grant Funds:

The ARRA provides $17.1 billion in additional funds for students across the country in need of Pell Grants. The Federal Pell Grant Program provides need-based grants to low-income undergraduate and certain post-baccalaureate students to promote access to postsecondary education. Students may use their grants at any one of approximately 5,400 participating postsecondary institutions. The additional funding allowed the Department of Education to raise the maximum Pell award from $4,731 to $5,350.  

Pell Grants are awarded based on student applications, not by state. 

As of today, $284,731,536 in Pell Grants have been awarded to students attending schools in Ohio.

Work Study Funds:

The ARRA provides an additional $200 million to the Work-Study program, providing colleges and universities with additional funding to provide jobs to students to help with their college and living expenses.

Work Study funds are distributed to qualifying schools which select students based on financial need.

As of today, $7,967,829 in Work Study funds have been awarded to students attending schools in Ohio.

Real Results in Ohio:

Cincinnati has already used stimulus funds to create a more comprehensive program for struggling schools this summer.  In the mornings, teachers targeted reading and math lessons to students' individual needs and in the afternoons, community partners offered field trips, science projects, and other activities that gave kids more incentives to participate.  "Fifth Quarter" drew about 2,000 K-7 students -- up significantly from traditional summer school participation. 

Just got our eBill from the eBursar at OU and it makes me want to e-yowl!

Supposedly we've had a tuition freeze going on at Ohio state-supported colleges for the last three years. The funny thing is, according to our bill, we are not paying a penny for tuition. No, we're paying thousands per year on one enormous college....well, you can guess -- it rhymes with Gee.

When the ivory towerers say "tuition freeze" do they mean the Instructional Fee? How about the General Fee? Is there a freeze on the Undergrad Technology Fee? Student Legal Service Fee? Library Printing Fees? (At OSU, I believe there's a Student Organization and Athletic Fee.)

I'm so glad our student no longer is required to live in the captive-audience atmosphere of college dorms. Has there been a cap on dormitory and meal plan costs? I don't think so. What about other student living expenses? Rent-controls on student housing? No?

There is a relatively good bargain in our eBill -- Student Health Insurance and the Wellbeing Plan. We can waive the health insurance because we're already paying about $1k/yr. for a student policy. However, the premium costs have nearly doubled in the few years he's had the policy. There's definitely no freeze on health care and insurance costs.

We will be paying our non-tuition eBill with an eCheck instead of a credit card, so as to avoid the 2.9% service charge. Sheesh.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Obama celebrated the beginning of implementation of the Post 9/11 GI Bill. This bill, through its Yellow Ribbon Programs and partnerships with colleges and universities throughout the nation, will provide our service members with the most generous educational benefits package since the original GI Bill of 1944.

Over 3,400 agreements were received from the 1,100 schools participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program. The Yellow Ribbon Program, a provision of the new Post-9/11 GI Bill, funds tuition expenses that exceed the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition rate. 

A list of Ohio schools participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program can be found here: http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/CH33/YRP/states/oh.htm

“Sixty-five years ago, a grateful nation offered a generation of World War II heroes the chance to go to college,” President Obama said. “The original GI Bill paved the way to a better life for millions of veterans and their families while building the foundation of the American middle class. Today, the Post-9/11 GI Bill is affording a new generation of heroes a 21st century version of that same opportunity.”

“The President and I know that the nation’s courageous service members and their families have shouldered the heaviest burden for our country’s security and safety over the past eight years,” VA Secretary Eric Shinseki said. “This new GI Bill is a way for a grateful nation to tangibly demonstrate our heartfelt appreciation and abiding respect for their service.”

“More than two and half years ago, we began with the simple concept that those who have been serving since 9/11 should have the same opportunity for a first class educational future as those who served during World War II,” Senator Jim H. Webb said. “This bill provides a modern and fair educational benefit to address the needs of those who answered the call of duty to our country--those who moved toward the sound of the guns--often at great sacrifice.”

With the implementation of the Post 9/11 GI Bill, our nation has an opportunity to honor America’s veterans in a very tangible way.  The maximum benefit under the Post-9/11 GI Bill allows veterans, service members, Reservists and Guard members the ability to receive an in-state, undergraduate education at a public institution at no cost.

Further, to honor their many sacrifices, the Post 9/11 GI Bill allows for the transferability of unused benefits to eligible career service members’ families. More information on the transferability of unused benefits can be found here: http://www.defenselink.mil/home/features/2009/0409_gibill/

President Obama has directed Secretary Shinseki to create a results-driven, 21st Century VA. Since the signing of this monumental legislation, VA has made meeting the August 1 implementation deadline a top priority.  As of July 30th VA has processed over 112,000 claims.

U.S. President Barack Obama is celebrating a new "GI Bill" that allows everyone serving in the military since September 11, 2001, to receive a free college education.

The White House says the program is the most extensive educational assistance opportunity since the passage of the original GI Bill in 1944.

The new program, co-sponsored by Mr. Obama when he was a senator, was passed by Congress and signed into law by President George W. Bush last year, but only took effect on Saturday. Intended to replicate the G.I. Bill that educated 8 million veterans after World War II, the program pays for undergraduate education for anyone who has served at least 90 days in the military since Sept. 11, 2001.

Those who have served 36 months or more will be eligible for tuition and fees equal to the maximum in-state rate charged by public universities in their state, as well as a monthly housing stipend and up to $1,000 a year for books and supplies. Those who have served less than that will have the benefit pro-rated. The benefit passes to the children of those slain in the line of duty. Troops who have served at least six years and sign up for another four years can also pass it to their children.

“Education is the currency that can purchase success in the 21st century and this is the opportunity that our troops have earned,” Mr. Obama said. He noted that among the beneficiaries of the original G.I. Bill was his grandfather, who fought in Europe. “I would not be standing here today if that opportunity had not led him west,” the president said.

Full Remarks Of The President below

WASHINGTON – Seventy-two colleges, universities and schools across Ohio have entered into Yellow Ribbon Program agreements with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to improve financial aid for veterans participating in the Post-9/11 GI Bill program.

Over 3,400 agreements were received from the 1,100 schools participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program.  “This is a strong response to a new benefit,” said Keith Wilson, Director of VA’s Education Service.  “We are pleased so many institutions are supporting our Veterans.”

“The Post-9/11 GI Bill is an important part of fulfilling our promise to the men and women who have served our country so honorably.  Implementing this landmark legislation and providing even more veterans with a quality education is a top priority for the VA, and we are grateful so many schools are joining us as partners in this unprecedented effort,” VA Secretary Eric Shinseki said.

A list of Ohio schools participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program can be found here: http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/CH33/YRP/states/oh.htm

The Yellow Ribbon Program, a provision of the new Post-9/11 GI Bill, funds tuition expenses that exceed the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition rate.  Institutions can contribute up to 50 percent of those expenses, and VA will match this additional funding for eligible students.

The Yellow Ribbon Program is reserved for those Veterans eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill at the 100 percent benefit level.  This includes those who served at least 36 months on active duty or served at least 30 continuous days and were discharged due to a service-related injury.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill, passed by Congress last year, is the most extensive educational assistance program authorized since the original GI Bill was signed into law in 1944.

The maximum benefit allows every eligible Veteran, servicemember, reservist, and National Guard member an opportunity to receive an in-state, undergraduate education at a public institution at no cost. 

Provisions of the program include payments for tuition and fees, housing, and a books and supplies stipend.  Benefits are payable for training pursued on or after August 1, 2009. The tuition and fee benefit is paid directly to the school.

Additional information about the Post-9/11 GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon Program, as well as VA’s other educational benefit programs, can be obtained by visiting VA’s Web site www.gibill.va.gov or by calling 1-888-GIBILL-1 (or 1-888-442-4551).

Secretary Clinton launched a new initiative today to allow for a rising generation of citizen diplomats to conduct digital diplomacy.

Virtual Student Foreign Service (VSFS) Internships, announced by Secretary Clinton at the 2009 New York University commencement speech, are part of a growing effort by the State Department to harness technology and a commitment to global service among young people to facilitate new forms of diplomatic engagement. The VSFS Internships will be developed over the next year and will seek to harness the energy of a rising generation of citizen diplomats.

Working from college and university campuses in the United States, American students will partner with our embassies abroad to conduct digital diplomacy that reflects the realities of our networked world. By combining the talents of young people across America and the right technology, we can forge the solutions that our century demands.

Sign up to receive more information and updates on Virtual Student Foreign Service Internships.

Join the Virtual Student Foreign Service Facebook community.

After reading about the bummer of thoughtless drunken rioting at Ohio University, I was gratified to learn that over 50 protestors were on hand to make noise at the OSU-sponsored appearance of sexual assault advocate/humorist Tucker Max.

Way to go, protestors! You got your message across effectively. As evidenced by the comments to an article in The Lantern (91 at last count), many young people still believe rape is a laughable matter.

With four women dying every day in the U.S. from the rudely euphemistic domestic violence, the Tucker Max performance was something worth protesting. He is a symbol of oppression. He's put himself out there as a profiteer. I can boycott him by not buying his book, but he was foisted on OSU students.

It warmed my heart to see women, men and a few big loud guys with whistles and Buckeye jerseys disrupting the Tucker Max show. Real social activism! We haven't seen this from young people in years!

I'm glad the students were unsuccessful in canceling the show (which is a legitimate request, since it was paid for with student funds). It was much better to make his fans feel uncomfortable. Free speech for everyone!

What a refreshing contrast to riotous Palmer Fest in Athens, where my student son reports a police horse was hit squarely between the eyes with a beer bottle. Nice going, jerks. You take Man vs. Beast to a whole new level. (Btw, nothing like that happened -- not even on Halloween -- when I went to OU in the '70s and 3.2 beer was legal for 18 year olds.)

Love and kisses to Ohio State Tucker Max protestors. Keep it up!

URGENT ACTION NEEDED!!!

WHAT

Women’s Group (at OSU) Demands Cancellation of Rape-Promoter Tucker Max
Sexual Assault Awareness Month has barely come to a close, and already
The Ohio State University is choosing to create a hostile environment
for women, violating its own non-discrimination policy as well as
state and federal law.  On Monday, May 11th OSU will be sponsoring the
rape-celebrating Tucker Max as a speaker, using OSU students’ dollars.
 [an example] From a Tucker Max story describing his several-week persistent
coercion of a woman into anal sex, “I was going to **** her in the
butt and film it without her consent.”* Also, from his own website;

My name is Tucker Max, and I am an asshole. I get excessively drunk at inappropriate times, disregard social norms, indulge every whim, ignore the consequences of my actions, mock idiots and posers, sleep with more women than is safe or reasonable, and just generally act like a raging dickhead.

At the same time The Ohio State University is paying for Tucker Max to come to campus, university officials are telling students that there is "no money" to set up a fund for OSU students who are raped / sexually assulted. The fund would help cover the high costs of seeking medical attention after such an attack which can cost survivors hundreds and even thousands of dollors before its all said and done... So there is money for Rape-Promoters but not for Women??????

 WHAT CAN YOU DO? 

STOP THIS EVENT FROM HAPPENING!!!

WARR demands that Ohio State follow its non-discrimination policy as
well as state and federal law and does not use the student activity
fee to violate students’ rights.

First, decide for yourself what you can do to help but here are some suggestions

1) get a group of friends together, decide on some tactics (noise makers, banners, chants, etc) and come shut down this "presentation".

2) get a group together, make some signs, and hold a protest at the corner of 15th & High - let the public know how OSU is spending student fees and tox dollars

3) engage students who are going to the event..

4) Contact OSU by phone and email and let them know what you think about them bringing this jerk to campus.

    * Ohio Unio Activities Board: 614.292.3117 or  ouab@osu.edu 

    * OSU President Gordon Gee: (614) 292-2424 or gee.2@osu.edu

    * Ohio State Parent Association: (614) 688-4888 or

           parent-association@osu.edu

    * Ohio State Alumni Association: (800) 678-6355 or

          griffin@ohiostatealumni.org

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO RSVP / LET STUDENTS KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING TO SUPPORT THIS EFFORT CONTACT;

Woym & Allies Rising in Resistance - WARR (student group at OSU)

Stephanie Diebold
diebold.5@osu.edu

Forgive me for getting Shepard Smith-y on you, but I am genuinely shocked and disgusted that a mainstream mogul like Donald Trump would be associated with a '70s-era enterprise that freely admits to financing surgical enhancement to college scholarship competitors.

This is a slap in the face to women everywhere and to those who legitimately earn academic and sports scholarships.

If the Miss USA contest was the Westminster Dog Show, PETA would protest it.

This is the third brief post I've written on this topic. Here are the first and second. At first I was skeptical that a legitimate beauty pageant would stoop this low, but now this sad truth has been confirmed. It makes me madder and madder every time I think about it.

Shanna Moakler, co-director of the Miss California pageant, says the practice of paying for breast implants for contestants is "very common." Honestly, I'm flabbergasted. How far will this bionics trend go? We can build her: better... faster... tittier.

E. Gordon Gee has a conflict on his hands, but he couldn't care less.

While serving as co-chairman of a newly formed partnership of public research universities pushing to reduce the nation's reliance on foreign oil and develop renewable energy, he is simultaneously being paid over $200,000 a year for serving on the board of Massey Energy, a coal company with one of the nation's worst environmental records.

Massey Energy's shameful record:

• behind one of the single worst environmental disasters in the region’s history, according to the EPA.
• biggest Dept. of Justice settlement in the coal industry’s history, for safety violations which lead to a deadly mine disaster.
• largest fine in EPA history for violations of the Clean Water Act.

In a news story which ran nationwide last month, ProgressOhio called on Gordon Gee to sever his ties with Massey, but now instead of quietly stepping down it turns out he is running for four more years as a "Class I" Director of Massey. (PDF)

Dr. Gee's response to the criticism of his association with Massey has been to say "he's working for change from the inside ou", however, he cannot point to one single recommendation for environmental change and safety that he has made in his 8 years with the company that has been implemented.

Now Dr. Gee's hypocrisy goes even further.

In the same proxy statement that recommends his re-election to the Board, Dr. Gee and his fellow Directors of Massey Energy also specifically recommend that the shareholders vote against two shareholder initiated environmental proposals:

1) Against the stockholder proposal regarding an Enviromental Progress Report

2) Against the stockholder proposal regarding a Carbon Dioxide Emissions Report

If he's working for change "from the inside out" why would he support these Board recommendations against such change?

Enough of the hypocrisy Dr, Gee.

Resign From The Massey Energy
Board of Directors Now!

WASHINGTON – Today, President Barack Obama met with a family struggling to afford the cost of college and underscored his commitment to cutting wasteful spending on federal student loans by ending taxpayer subsidies to banks.  President Obama discussed the strain that rising tuition costs are placing on middle class families and his proposal to end the private Federal Family Education Loans program that lines the pockets of the banks who serve as middlemen while costing the American people $5 billion a year.  The President would use the savings from cutting out the middleman to help provide Ohio students with more than $4.4 billion more in Pell Grants over the next decade.

“The banks and lenders who have reaped a windfall from these subsidies have mobilized an army of lobbyists to try and keep things the way they are,” President Obama said.  “They are gearing up for a battle. And so am I. They will fight for their special interests. I will fight for America’s students, and their families.”

Below is information on President Obama’s proposal.

Reforming Student Loans to Make College Affordable

“We will provide the support necessary for you to complete college and meet a new goal:  by 2020, America will once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world.”  

-- President Barack Obama, February 24, 2009

America’s future economic strength depends on the quality of our education. Countries that out-teach us today will out-compete us tomorrow. America once had one of the most educated workforces in the world, but it has now slipped to the middle of the pack. Only 38 percent of young workers have a college degree, a lower percentage than nine other countries and no higher than a generation ago. At the same time, we do not provide enough financial aid, partly because the student loan program spends $5 billion more than necessary subsidizing banks and other lenders to make student loans.

Today, President Obama met with a family struggling to afford the cost of college and released a new analysis of the impact of his plans to increase student aid. He will take on the special interests to eliminate wasteful and unreliable guaranteed student loans and invest more in helping students succeed in college and complete their degree. And he will make a historic investment in college affordability: together, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and the President’s Budget provide about $200 billion in Pell Grant scholarships and tax credits over the next decade.

·         Reforming Student Loans: The guaranteed student loan program pays banks and other lenders a guaranteed rate of return and reimburses them for defaults, giving them large profits set by the political process rather than won in a competitive marketplace. The Obama-Biden Administration will expand the alternative Direct Loan program, which is administered by private sector companies selected through a competitive process and paid based upon performance. Direct loans have essentially the same terms for students and are more reliable and efficient. They will save $48 billion over the next decade according to the Office of Management and Budget, which will be reinvested in Pell Grant scholarships for students.

·         Restoring Pell Grants to a Strong Foundation for Student Aid: The value of Pell Grants have fallen from 77 percent of the cost of attending a public university to 33 percent over the past three decades. The ARRA invested $17 billion, making it possible to increase Pell by $619 for 7 million students. But these funding increases are only temporary, and without additional resources the value of the maximum Pell Grant will fall by $1,400 in 2011. President Obama is committed to a strong, reliable Pell Grant program. He will make Pell an entitlement, provide $116 billion over the next decade to prevent any drop in the size of Pell Grants, ensure that they continues to grow faster than inflation, and eliminate the frequent budget shortfalls that have plagued the program.

·         Cut Taxes on College Tuition: The ARRA created the American Opportunity Tax Credit, which will give millions of families up to $2,500 each to help pay for college. The credit was also expanded to help families too poor to owe income taxes. But the credit expires at the end of 2010. The President’s Budget would make it permanent.

Support the Rainbow PUSH Education Stimulus Plan

With college costs continuing to soar and more college graduates struggling to make their student loan payments, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition is urging lawmakers to extend the benefits of the federal bailout to these young people through adoption of the Rainbow PUSH Education Stimulus Plan.

The plan, which is designed to help college students and their families in this fragile economy, calls on Congress to:

• Reduce the interest rate on all student loans to 1%.
  If banks can borrow money at 1% or less, then so should our students.
• Extend the grace period before loan repayment begins from 6 months to 18 months for students who graduate.
  In these tough economic times, it takes a college graduate an average of 6 months to 1 year to find a job. The rules should reflect this reality.
• End the penalties assessed to schools for student loan defaults.
  Schools should not be held accountable for students who don’t pay back their loans.
• Increase Pell Grants to cover the average yearly cost of a public 4 year institution rather than the amounts in the current stimulus package--$5,350 starting July 1 and $5,550 in 2010-2011.
  The real cost of college and the impact of the current financial crisis both should be reflected in the dollar value of Pell Grants.

Today, our nation’s largest banks, beneficiaries of bailout funds, are able to borrow money at an interest rate of 1% or less; but students are forced to borrow at 4% - 18%. Many young people are making their student loan payments with credit cards, some paying 20% or more on that debt. They are putting their futures at risk.

We believe that access to education is an inherent right of all Americans. Access to education should not be postponed or denied due to lack of access to affordable student loans. We urge President Obama and Congress to ACT NOW.

Sign the Petition!

State Senator Nina Turner held a town hall meeting on education Thursday in Euclid. 

Senator Turner and Chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents Eric Fingerhut spoke on the importance of post- secondary education in giving Ohioans the skills needed to compete in today's job market.

Senator Turner pointed out that this is a critical issue for workers who have been laid off and want to pursue another type of work. "Business people are looking for a highly educated workforce," she said. "This is how Ohio is going to keep its competitive edge, and this is how our nation will keep its competitive edge.... It is in all of our best interest to rear students who will be assets to their communities and not liabilities."