SAFE SCHOOLS SESSION
More than 60 people from Ohio 8 urban school districts gathered in Columbus May 16, 2006 to discuss safety and security in urban school districts. Attendees included superintendents, teacher union presidents, directors of safety and security, principals, teachers, drug prevention staff, law enforcement representatives, and community-based leaders.

Bill Modzeleski, associate assistant deputy secretary of the U. S. Department of Education Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools, provided an overview about current practices to prevent school violence, what works and what doesn’t, trends in the safety and security field and outlined some of the resources available for school districts.

MARCH WASHINGTON DC LEGISLATIVE VISITS
The Leadership Council of the Ohio 8 convened in Washington D.C. in March 2006 to share the story about Ohio's urban districts with legislators and other policy makers.

Members highlighted policy recommendations developed by the Coalition, focusing specifically on the following areas:

• Measuring Student Performance and AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress)
• Choice and Unified Accountability
• Technical Assistance for Low Performing Schools
• Highly Qualified Teachers and Leaders
• Family and Community Engagement
• Funding

Click here for full policy recommendations

Click here for May 2006 Update on legislative meetings