DeWine signs bill to modernize Ohio’s education code to minimize administrative burden on schools

COLUMBUS — State Representatives Gayle Manning (R-Avon) and Adam Bird (R-New Richmond) are pleased to announce that Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 455, legislation to modernize Ohio’s education code by eliminating outdated educator requirements and reducing administrative burden to ensure teachers can devote more time to delivering high-quality instruction to Ohio students.

Key components of House Bill 455 include:

• Revises or eliminates certain reporting requirements and mandates related to the Department of Education and Workforce (DEW);

• Revises the performance measures used to calculate performance ratings for two of the six Ohio State Report Card components—1) Graduation and 2) College, Career, Workforce and Military Readiness;

• Allows families of eligible children to choose to use the Early Childhood Education Grant Program instead of another source of state funding for childcare; and

• Eliminates obsolete provisions of the Ohio Revised Code related to the state report card and state assessments for public and chartered nonpublic schools.

“This law will reduce unnecessary regulations and requirements, ensuring teachers can devote more time and energy to delivering high-quality instruction to students,” said Rep. Manning.

“Our goal is to empower educators to focus their efforts on their students and classrooms,” said Rep. Bird. “I’m confident this law will benefit all Ohio students.”

House Bill 455 will be effective on October 9, 2026.