Jones Testifies on Legislation Revising Ohio's Teacher Residency Program

COLUMBUS –State Representative Don Jones (R-Freeport) today testified in a Senate committee on legislation that would revise Ohio’s Teacher Residency Program to make it both more flexible and professional. 

House Bill 151 will allow for more attempts at assessments, allow for online mentoring of young educators, require the Department of Education to provide counseling to those who fail assessments, and require every Ohio teacher to be allowed one day of professional development to shadow a veteran teacher.

“This bill gives tremendous opportunity to the future educators of Ohio,” Jones said. “It’s important that we do all we can to make sure these teachers are readily prepared and comfortable when they walk into their classrooms. At the end of the day, we should be prioritizing the education of Ohio’s youth, and this legislation does that.”

H.B. 151 now awaits a second hearing in the Senate Primary and Secondary Education Committee.