Majority Of Ohio Students Will Start Year With In-Person Classes

COLUMBUS, OH — The majority of Ohio schools will begin their academic year with in-person classes.

"I think our schools are doing a very good job getting ready for in-person or virtual schooling — or both. I have every confidence that they will do everything they can to keep Ohio's children safe — but whatever is going on in their communities will be reflected in the schools," Gov. Mike DeWine said this week.

When the academic year begins this fall, as of this week, 325 Ohio school districts will return to in-person classes full-time,DeWine said. That's 590,000 students, or 38 percent of all students in Ohio.

Another 380,000 Ohio students, or 24.5 percent of all students in Ohio, will begin the year with a hybrid education model, meaning there will be a mix of online education and in-person classes.

Nearly 400,000 students, across 55 school districts, will begin the year with only-only education. That represents 25.6 percent of Ohio's students.

The Ohio Department of Education lacks data on 78 school districts in Ohio.

While DeWine and other state officials have left the decision on how to reopen to local school districts, some Ohio politicians feel the governor is abandoning his responsibility to provide guidance to superintendents and families.

"It is disappointing to see Gov. DeWine refuse to lead when Ohio needs it the most," State Rep. Phil Robinson said.

Robinson argued that with the Big Ten postponing fall sports, DeWine has failed to make similarly difficult decisions, instead pawning responsibility onto schools and parents.

Some county health officials have offered guidance to local school districts. The Cuyahoga County Board of Health recommended all districts begin the year with remote-only education due to the community spread of COVID-19.

However, some districts in the county have persisted with a hybrid or in-person education model, ignoring the county's recommendation.