On June 6, 2025, the Ohio Senate Finance Committee convened to discuss critical issues surrounding education funding and support for teacher preparation programs. The meeting featured testimony from Jennifer Howard, the executive director of Teach for America (TFA) Ohio, who highlighted the urgent need for continued financial backing for the organization amid a significant decline in the number of teachers in the state.

Howard reported that TFA has grown to a network of approximately 1,200 core members and alumni, contributing over 200 new teachers in the last two budget cycles. This growth comes at a time when Ohio has seen more than 16,000 teachers leave the profession since 2020, exacerbating the existing teacher shortage. Howard emphasized that the removal of TFA's funding from Governor DeWine's operating budget proposal would severely hinder their ability to address the staffing needs of K-12 schools across the state. She urged the committee to restore this vital financial support, which is crucial for professional development and retention of educators.

In addition to Howard's testimony, Tish Jenkins, superintendent of Gold Digital Academy, presented a proposal for a pilot program to allow her online school to implement a blended learning model. Jenkins argued that this model would better serve at-risk students by providing in-person support when needed. She noted that while the program would not require additional funding, it would enable the school to access vital resources typically available to traditional brick-and-mortar schools, such as mental health services and counseling.

The discussions underscored the ongoing challenges faced by Ohio's education system, particularly in light of the teacher shortage and the need for innovative solutions to support diverse learning needs. The committee's deliberations on these topics will have significant implications for the future of education in Ohio, particularly for underserved communities.

As the meeting concluded, the urgency of addressing these funding issues was clear. The committee's decisions in the coming weeks will be pivotal in shaping the educational landscape and ensuring that schools have the necessary resources to support both teachers and students effectively.