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Sponsor urges ban on DEI policies in K–12; committee members raise questions about scope and equity
Summary
Senator Blessing, sponsor of Senate Bill 113, urged the committee to prohibit diversity, equity and inclusion policies in public K–12 schools, arguing DEI promotes racial preferences and undermines merit. Committee members questioned whether the bill would interfere with federal civil‑rights laws, special education, English‑learner services and gap
Senator Blessing, the bill sponsor and vice chair of the committee, presented sponsor testimony on Senate Bill 113, which would prohibit diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies in Ohio public K–12 schools.
“The legislation will prohibit diversity, equity, and inclusion policies in public schools,” Blessing said, telling the committee he believes DEI “prioritizes identity over ability” and “promotes racial preferences over fairness.” He framed the bill as restoring merit‑based standards and cited the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 Students for Fair Admissions decision in support of his argument.
Nut graf: The sponsor described the bill as a measure to remove DEI‑focused orientation/training, DEI offices, and DEI…
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