Ohio Administrative Code Title 3302 - State Board of Education
Ohio Administrative Code Title 3302 — State Board of Education
🔷 Overview
Title 3302 of the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) governs the State Board of Education’s responsibilities for school district accountability and performance evaluation in Ohio.
This Title is part of Ohio's broader education governance system and works in conjunction with Title 33 of the Ohio Revised Code (ORC).
It covers areas such as:
School district and building performance standards
Academic distress commissions
Report cards for schools and districts
Improvement plans
Intervention and accountability mechanisms
🔷 Key Functions of the State Board of Education under Title 3302
1. Report Cards and Ratings (OAC 3302-1)
The State Board uses multiple metrics (academic performance, graduation rates, gap closing, progress, early literacy, etc.) to assign ratings to public school districts and individual schools.
These are published annually to inform the public and policymakers.
2. Academic Distress Commissions (OAC 3302-6)
When a school district receives failing performance grades for a certain number of years, the State Board may initiate an Academic Distress Commission (ADC).
ADCs have broad authority to override local school boards and make operational, personnel, and curricular decisions.
3. School Improvement Plans (OAC 3302-3)
Districts that do not meet state standards are required to submit detailed improvement plans outlining steps to correct deficiencies.
Plans must be approved by the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) and progress is monitored.
4. Corrective Action and Sanctions
Repeated failure to improve may result in:
State control of schools
Replacement of administrators
Budgetary restrictions or oversight
🔷 Regulatory Highlights by Rule Section
| Rule | Title / Function | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 3302-1-01 | State Report Cards | Details the metrics used to assess and rate schools |
| 3302-3-01 | Improvement Plans | Sets the process for developing and submitting school improvement plans |
| 3302-6-01 | Academic Distress Commissions | Provides criteria and processes for placing districts under ADC control |
⚖️ Relevant Ohio Case Law Interpreting Title 3302
🏛️ Youngstown City Sch. Dist. Bd. of Edn. v. State of Ohio, 2020-Ohio-820
Issue: Constitutionality of House Bill 70, which allowed the state to take control of failing districts via ADCs.
Holding: The Ohio Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the law, affirming the state’s authority under OAC Title 3302 and its statutory equivalents.
Reasoning: The Court found that the law did not violate local control provisions of the Ohio Constitution, as education is a state function, and local boards derive power from the state.
Impact: Cemented the State Board’s authority to initiate Academic Distress Commissions and intervene in local school governance.
🏛️ Lorain City Schools Bd. of Edn. v. Ohio Dept. of Edn., 2019-Ohio-5295
Issue: Challenge to the implementation of an ADC after persistent low scores.
Holding: The court ruled that the process followed under OAC 3302 was proper, and the district had adequate notice and opportunity to respond.
Reasoning: OAC Title 3302 requires transparency and procedural fairness in imposing state oversight. The Department of Education had met these obligations.
Impact: Reinforced the validity of Title 3302 procedures for school takeover.
🏛️ East Cleveland City School District v. Ohio Dept. of Edn., 2018-Ohio-3112
Issue: Whether the imposition of a school improvement plan was lawful under OAC Title 3302.
Holding: The court found that mandatory improvement plans are valid under the administrative code when a district fails to meet required performance standards.
Reasoning: Title 3302 provides due process protections and a clear statutory mandate for state-led interventions.
Impact: Upheld the enforcement of corrective action and improvement planning requirements.
🧩 Principles Emerging from Title 3302 + Case Law
| Principle | Explanation | Supporting Case |
|---|---|---|
| Education = State Function | Local boards operate under state delegation; state can intervene | Youngstown |
| ADC Process Is Lawful | ADC creation and management follow constitutional and procedural rules | Lorain |
| Improvement Plans Are Enforceable | The state can compel underperforming districts to act | East Cleveland |
| Local Control ≠ Absolute | Local school autonomy is limited by state authority | Youngstown, Lorain |
🏫 Practical Implications for Districts and Administrators
Districts must closely monitor report card metrics and initiate self-corrective measures before triggering state interventions.
Transparency and documentation are key when submitting school improvement plans.
Superintendents and boards in distressed districts must understand that the State Board of Education can legally override local decisions through ADCs if statutory criteria are met.
Community involvement and communication are vital when dealing with state oversight actions under Title 3302.
📘 Summary
Ohio Administrative Code Title 3302 empowers the State Board of Education to evaluate, monitor, and intervene in public school districts based on performance.
It establishes a multi-tiered accountability system, including report cards, improvement plans, and academic distress commissions.
Ohio courts have consistently upheld the State Board's authority under this Title, even when challenged on constitutional grounds.
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