Ohio school children in class. (Photo: Morgan Trau.)
In Ohio, several education bills are still pending in state lawmakers, including a proposal to require students to watch a film produced by an anti-abortion group and a proposal to allow and require the showing of the Ten Commandments in schools if it is donated.
The bills have already been adopted in the house they came from and are currently in the other house for consideration.
Ohio’s 136th General Assembly has reached the halfway point as lawmakers work in two-year cycles. The laws have until the end of 2026, otherwise they will die.
The Ohio Senate is scheduled to return in behind schedule January, and the Ohio House is scheduled to return in February.
Charlie Kirk American Heritage Act
Ohio House Bill 486also known as Charlie Kirk American Heritage Actwould allow public schools and public universities to teach about the positive impact of the Judeo-Christian religion on American history.
Republican state representatives Gary Click and Mike Dovilla introduced a bill that would The Ohio House passed in November.
The bill outlines several teachable examples, including the history of the Pilgrims, the religious backgrounds of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, the influence of religion on the U.S. Constitution, Benjamin Franklin’s call to prayer at the constitutional convention, the separation of church and state, the role of the Ten Commandments “in shaping American law,” the influence of religion on the civil rights movement and the influence of evangelist Billy Graham, among others, according to the bill’s language.
Little Olivia Act
Ohio House Bill 485also known as the “Little Olivia Act.” require schools to show the movie “Little Olivia.” or a similar video for students each year from fifth grade through twelfth grade, beginning in the 2026–27 school year.
Ohio Rep. Melanie Miller, R–Ashland, introduced the bill, which the Ohio House passed in November.
Three minutes “Meet Little Olivia” in the film produced by the anti-abortion company Live Action, it shows fertilization and fetal development.
Planned Parenthood Calls ‘Baby Olivia’ Music Video ‘inexact, misleading and manipulative”
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists disagrees with the bill, saying the video shows gestational age two weeks earlier than it begins and shows fetal development is more advanced than it actually is.
The Ten Commandments in the classroom
Ohio Senate Bill 34 could allow display The Ten Commandments in public schools.
Ohio State Sen. Terry Johnson, R-McDermott, introduced the bill that passed the Ohio Senate in November.
The bill would require public schools to place “historical texts” in classrooms.
The list includes the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Articles of Confederation, the mottos of both the United States and Ohio, the Magna Carta, the Mayflower Compact, the Northwest Ordinance, and the Ten Commandments.
School districts would have to select four of the documents. However, if the document is provided to schools, the law requires its issuance.
Success sequence
Ohio Senate Bill 156 would require schools to teach students how to graduate from high school, get a job, and get married – in that order – before having a child. This sequence of events is known as success sequence.
State Sen. Al Cutrona, R-Canfield, introduced the bill, which passed the Senate in October and has had one hearing so far in the Ohio House of Representatives Education Committee.
The bill requires the Ohio Department of Education and Labor to create a model curriculum that includes a success sequence for grades 6-12, which would be a graduation requirement.
Academic interventions
Ohio Senate Bill 19 would allow a public school student who scores below the proficiency level on a state assessment test in math or English to receive free academic intervention services.
Academic interventions in the bill must be evidence-based and could include high-dose tutoring at least three days a week, additional instructional time and an extended school calendar.
The bill passed unanimously in the Senate in November and the bill now heads to the Ohio House of Representatives for consideration. Ohio State Senator Andrew Brenner of Delaware introduced the bill.
Follow the OCJ reporter Megan Henry in Bluesky.
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