( A) As used in this section:

Terms Used In Ohio Code 3301.311

  • Amendment: A proposal to alter the text of a pending bill or other measure by striking out some of it, by inserting new language, or both. Before an amendment becomes part of the measure, thelegislature must agree to it.
  • Fiscal year: The fiscal year is the accounting period for the government. For the federal government, this begins on October 1 and ends on September 30. The fiscal year is designated by the calendar year in which it ends; for example, fiscal year 2006 begins on October 1, 2005 and ends on September 30, 2006.
  • state: means the state of Ohio. See Ohio Code 1.59

(1) “Department of education” or “department” means the former department of education as it existed prior to the effective date of this amendment for all actions required under this section prior to that date, and means the department of education and workforce for all actions required under this section on or after to that date.

(2) “Preschool program” has the same meaning as in section 3301.52 of the Revised Code.

(B) Subject to divisions (C) and (D) of this section,beginning in fiscal year 2006, no preschool program, and no early childhood education program or early learning program as defined by the department of education shall receive any funds from the state unless fifty per cent of the staff members employed by that program as teachers are working toward an associate degree of a type approved by the department.

(C)(1) Subject to division (C)(2) of this section,beginning in fiscal year 2010, no preschool program, and no early childhood education program or early learning program as defined by the department, existing prior to fiscal year 2007, shall receive any funds from the state unless every staff member employed by that program as a teacher has attained an associate degree of a type approved by the department.

(2) Beginning in fiscal year 2011, no preschool program, and no early childhood education program or early learning program as defined by the department, existing prior to fiscal year 2007, shall receive any funds from the state unless fifty per cent of the staff members employed by the program as teachers have attained a bachelor’s degree of a type approved by the department.

(D)(1) Subject to division (D)(2) of this section,beginning in fiscal year 2012, no preschool program, and no early childhood education program or early learning program as defined by the department, established during or after fiscal year 2007, shall receive any funds from the state unless every staff member employed by that program as a teacher has attained an associate degree of a type approved by the department.

(2) Beginning in fiscal year 2013, no preschool program, and no early childhood education program or early learning program as defined by the department, established during or after fiscal year 2007, shall receive any funds from the state unless fifty per cent of the staff members employed by the program as teachers have attained a bachelor’s degree of a type approved by the department.

Last updated September 15, 2023 at 2:58 PM