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CEDARVILLE, Ohio -- Gov. Mike DeWine continues to focus on COVID-19's impact on schools with the goal of achieving full-time, in-person attendance for students by March 1 with new resources available for school districts.
DeWine began his Tuesday conference with a report from Ohio Department of Education Superintendent Paolo DeMaria outlining the impact of the pandemic on students.
"We know the pandemic has really been disruptive in some ways for all the children," DeWine said. "In the spring, all Ohio children were out of school. And during this academic year, some kids have been entirely remote, some have been entirely in the classroom and some have been a combination of the two. ... It's been a strain even for the kids who have been totally in the classroom the whole academic year."
DeMaria referred to a report based on his department's early collection of enrollment data and the fall assessment. He said there was an overall decrease in enrollment of about 3 percent at the beginning of the school year, with the greatest concentration among preschoolers and kindergarteners, but some high school students may have dropped out, possibly to assist their families.
He referred to kindergarten readiness assessments and the third grade English and language arts assessment. Scores were lower, particularly among minority and disadvantaged students. Overall there was an 8 percent increase in the number of students not on track as they entered kindergarten.
Likewise there was a decrease in the number of proficient third-graders.
"That's about 37 percent this past fall, as compared to 45 percent scoring proficient or better in the fall of 2019. Almost all the districts, about 87 percent, had a decrease in their percentage of third grade students scoring proficient or better in 2019 and 2020.
About 80 percent of students participated in the assessments, compared to 90 to 95 percent during a traditional year.
The report can be found at education.ohio.gov/Topics/Reset-and-Restart/Data-Insights-on-the-2020-2021-School-Year.
DeMaria also commended DeWine for prioritizing the vaccination of teachers and school employees.
"This once in a 100-year pandemic has truly impacted all of us," DeWine said during the Ohio Channel broadcast as he announced an expansion to $1.1 billion for the Student Wellness and Success Fund, which can be used for school initiatives such as health clinics, counseling and mental health services.
He is also calling on individual school districts to make a plan aimed at the individual needs of their students, and to reach out to the parents and communities for ideas. DeWine hopes their plans will be complete by April. 1.
Additional federal funding also is also expected for Ohio schools.
Lt. Gov. Jon Husted also elaborated on the economic impact of learning loss from the coronavirus, as well as the loss of reading and math learning hours. He emphasized the importance of investing in career centers.
Vaccinations will be available for school employees in Monroe County next week, including those of the Switzerland of Ohio Local School District, Mighty Grace Private Academy and St. Sylvester Catholic Grade School. In Harrison County, Harrison Hills City School District and Conotton Creek School District also can begin administering the shot to staff members Monday.
In Belmont and Jefferson counties, vaccines will be available for school employees the fourth week of the month, beginning Feb. 22. Eligible schools and districts include: Barnesville, Bellaire, Bridgeport, Martins Ferry, Shadyside, St. Clairsville and Union Local public schools as well as the Belmont-Harrison Career Center and private institutions Green Pastures Classical School, Harrell Family Academy, Lone Oak Lifetime Learner's Academy, Martins Ferry Christian, Olney Friends School, Scientia Classical Academy, St. John Central Academy, St. Mary, St. Mary Central, Tiber Keep and West Academy in Belmont County as well as Bishop John King Mussio elementary and junior high, Buckeye Local, Steubenville Catholic Central, Dugan Academy, Edison Local, Hatcher's Academy, Indian Creek, Jefferson County, Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Jefferson County Christian, Jefferson County Educational Service Center, Mary Seat of Wisdom Montessori, Steubenville City and Toronto City schools.
On Tuesday, Belmont County Deputy Health Commissioner Robert Sproul reported 5,125 cases confirmed since the pandemic arrived in March, with 474 people now isolated at home with active cases and 58 hospitalized. There have been 4,501 recoveries. A total of 92 people have died after being infected with the virus in Belmont County. The latest death, reported Tuesday, was a man in his 80s.