Educators testify against a bill that would ban diversity and inclusion efforts in Ohio K-12 schools

Opponents spoke out against a bill that would ban diversity and inclusion efforts in Ohio K-12 public schools — specifically critiquing the bill’s lack of definition of DEI. 

About 80 people recently submitted opponent testimony for Ohio Senate Bill 113, which would require every local board of education in the state to adopt a policy that would end any current diversity and inclusion offices or departments and ban any diversity, equity, and inclusion orientation or training. 

“This bill is frustratingly vague about what does and doesn’t qualify as prohibited diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives,” Ohio Federation of Teachers President Melissa Cropper said during last week’s Ohio Senate Education Committee meeting. 

ACLU of Ohio Legislative Director Gary Daniels also pointed out the lack of DEI definition in the bill.

“When school administrators, school staff, parents, stakeholders, and the state legislature all get to define for themselves (and others) what is “diversity, equity, and inclusion” then everything is diversity, equity, and inclusion and subject to banning,” he said. 

State Sen. Andrew Brenner, R-Delaware, introduced the bill last year which would also prevent the creation of any new such offices or departments and using DEI in job descriptions. Brenner recently lost his Republican primary race, meaning next year will be the first General Assembly without him since 2011. 

Less than 10 people gave supporter testimony on the bill last year. 

“SB 113 would seemingly outlaw efforts to recruit and retain more Black teachers, even though the data shows that it is objectively a good thing for students when school districts make an effort to hire a diverse teaching staff,” Cropper said. 

Black students who have one Black teacher in elementary school are 13% more likely to enroll in college and those who have two Black teachers are 32% more likely, according to a 2018 study published in the National Bureau of Economic Research. 

“(DEI is) not saying that we hire a lesser person or lesser qualified person because of the color of their skin or because of their gender,” Cropper said. “It means making sure that we’re opening opportunities to diverse populations and that when looking at all the people who are applying for that position.”

Schools with DEI initiatives had 30% fewer instances of homophobic remarks and LGBTQ students are 25% less likely to experience depression and anxiety in schools that promote inclusion, according to the 2021 National School Climate Survey by GLSEN. 

“DEI efforts are not about lowering standards, they are about removing barriers so standards can be met fairly,” said Joshua Meek, Equality Ohio’s statewide advocacy manager. 

Heather Fairs, with the Ohio School Counselor Association, said this bill would make it more difficult for schools to support every student’s academic, social, and emotional growth. 

“Restricting discussions, programs, or training related to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, or culturally responsive support could unintentionally limit a school counselor’s ability to identify barriers to student success and provide appropriate interventions,” she said.

Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman, R-Lima, said he hasn’t had a chance to look at the bill. 

“There are some teachers that have been taught in the last several years in universities that these particular concepts need to be pushed as a primary part of education, even for very young children,” he said. “I think most parents and most of the public think that’s ridiculous that you’re talking about that to a second grader or third grader.”

Ohio Rep. Phil Robinson, D-Solon, said he has never heard parents, teachers, or administrators come in to testify against DEI in K-12 schools. 

“They do come in to talk about how we need more resources to be able to pay our teachers,” he said. “We need more resources for our textbooks and things of that nature. We don’t need to chase culture wars and salacious headlines.”

Follow Ohio Capital Journal Reporter Megan Henry on X or on Bluesky.