Fall finds a number of initiatives underway in the realm of education.
 
The heavy debate in the United States Congress regarding the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) reauthorization has a number of ramifications at across our region.  Our primary focus is to further the missions of Franklin County school districts. As such, we pay close attention to this legislation, which has far reaching effects including the seminole development of state accountability standards.  
 
The state of Ohio has recognized the ESC's capacity in meeting the technical assistance needs of school districts in several areas, particularly student achievement and special education. Through the work of the Central Ohio Special Education Regional Resource Center (COSERRC) and the Central Ohio Regional School Improvement Team (CORSIT), we’ve developed what the Ohio Department of Education now calls the State Support Team Region 11. The work of these two entities remains very much the same—supporting school districts in meeting NCLB and IDEA.     
 
Over the coming months, you will begin to see the name “State Support Team Region 11” as Ohio attempts to implement a coherent plan for technical assistance.  Although the name will be changing, we will continue to use the COSERRC and CORSIT names. We will be further integrating the work of these entities and the ESC by moving the COSERRC to the Central Office in January 2009.  Over the next year, we’re making plans to bring together a complete resource for technical assistance in our first floor training facility which we believe will improve our ability to serve school districts. Until then, we will continue to house the COSERRC in the Glenmont facility and the CORSIT in our Citygate offices.
 
The ESC of Franklin County has a long and successful history in providing the important technical assistance to help school districts accelerate their missions, and we look forward to continuing this important work with your help.
   
In service to children,
Bart Anderson