ETSS begins Free Citizenship Classes

As part of efforts to integrate new immigrants and refugees who do not speak English language in central Ohio, the Ethiopia Tewahedo Social Services, ETSS has established free classes to groom the  new residents in basic English reading and writing.

The Director of Adult Services, Dr. LeRoy Boikai told TheNewAmericans that “classes run for 12weeks and then repeated in three locations at Northeast and West Columbus, Ohio.”

The Northeast classes at The Heritage on 2444 Gatewood Road hold on Tuesday and Thursday from 3pm to 5pm or at Capital Park Apartment Community Room on 2943 Capital Park Ct. on Monday and Wednesday from 1pm to 3pm.

“The classes for Westside hold at 4312 Westport Road on Monday to Thursday from 10am to 2:00 pm,” he said, adding that participants must register before classes.

The program is being funded by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, USCIS.

Franklin County wins 2016 election award

The Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted has commended the boards of elections in both Franklin and Hamilton Counties on their awards in the Election Worker Best Practices Competition overseen by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC).

The Franklin and Hamilton County Boards of Elections were two of only five counties nationwide chosen for the prestigious award.

“The 2016 Presidential Election in Ohio was not only one of the most well-run systems in the nation, it was also one of the most efficient and strong performances our state has seen in many years and that is due to the innovative and diligent work of the people are our 88 county boards of elections,” Secretary Husted said.

The Franklin County Board of Elections was recognized for their program “Champions of Democracy,” a campaign that partners with local businesses in order to help recruit and train new poll workers to ensure voters have positive experiences while casting their ballots on Election Day.

The Hamilton County Board of Elections was honored for both their “Youth at the Booth” and “Partners in Democracy” initiatives. Youth at Booth is an innovative that pairs younger poll workers with their elders to recruit new generations of election officials while ensuring a group of people with diverse backgrounds and skills working the polls on Election Day. Partners in Democracy encourages business and agencies to give their employees a “day off for democracy” so they can serve as poll workers.

Winners of the Election Worker Best Practices Award were judged by the EAC based on their innovativeness, effectiveness, sustainability, cost effectiveness and potential for replication.

Ohio State announces ACT/SAT guidance for students with disabilities

The Ohio Department of Education has announced that students with disabilities who take the Alternate Assessment for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities (AASCD), instead of the general Ohio State Tests, are exempt from the requirement that all 11th grade students participate in the American College Test/ Scholastic Assessment Test, ACT/SAT.

“This does not, however, prohibit a student with a significant cognitive disability from taking the ACT or SAT if the student and/or parent requests to participate in the test,” according to a statement by the Ohio Department of Education.

The Ohio General Assembly passed Senate Bill 3 on December 8, 2016, which provides for additional exemptions and requires the Department to provide guidance on test participation for certain student populations. (ORC 3301.0712).

The Department is expected to release additional guidance in the coming weeks.