Columbus, OH – Ohio lawmakers are pushing forward Senate Bill 113, a controversial proposal that aims to ban diversity & inclusion initiatives in K-12 public schools across the state. Introduced by State Senator Andrew Brenner (R-Delaware), the bill mandates that every local board of education:
- Eliminate existing DEI offices or departments
- Ban diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training for staff and students
- Prohibit DEI-related job descriptions and hiring criteria
- Prevent the creation of new DEI programs in schools
Additionally, the bill requires school boards to establish a complaint process to report and investigate violations of the policy.
Opposition to Senate Bill 113
The proposal has been met with strong criticism from educators and advocacy groups.
- Ohio Federation of Teachers President Melissa Cropper condemned the bill, stating that it attempts to undermine local control and limits diversity in school staff.
- Ohio Education Association President Scott DiMauro called the bill a distraction, emphasizing that lawmakers should focus on funding public schools and addressing economic challenges.
- Christina Collins, Executive Director of Honesty for Ohio Education, warned that Senate Bill 113 uses the term “DEI” without defining it, pushing an agenda that could harm Ohio’s education system.
This bill is part of a broader movement to ban diversity & inclusion programs in education. In addition to Senate Bill 113, Ohio lawmakers are considering Senate Bill 1, which proposes a DEI ban in public universities. The Ohio Senate recently passed this bill, and it is awaiting review in the House.
Meanwhile, at the federal level, the U.S. Department of Education issued a warning on Feb. 14, threatening to withdraw funding from schools that use race-conscious admissions, hiring, scholarships, or student programs. Schools nationwide must comply by Friday or risk losing financial support.
Stay Updated on Senate Bill 113 and Education Policy
As debates over diversity and inclusion in schools continue, we’ll keep you informed about the latest Senate Bill 113 updates and legislative changes.
Stay updated on Ohio education policies and legislative changes.
Follow Dalmar TV on Facebook for the Latest News
