During her first sixteen months on the State Board of
Education, Ms. Fowler participated in 191 votes. She voted “no” on twelve policies, primarily when
she felt that the resolution increased state bureaucracy and unfunded mandates,
infringing upon local control of Ohio’s public schools. This solicited an article in the Akron Beacon
Journal titled, “Homeschooled Board Member Places Constitution
and Parents Before Government”. Please take a few
moments to review Sarah Fowler’s voting record.
She has truly fulfilled her 2012 campaign promise when she told voters, “I
will support local control and even if I can’t change the outcome, I can vote
no.”
March 2013 - A-Tech instructors, Bill Olin and Jack McMurphy, addressed the Achievement Committee as guests of Ms. Fowler, regarding the importance of more time for skills training.
March 2013 - She refused to support either candidate for state superintendent due to concerns that they were not being held to the same ethical standards as teachers and administrators across the state. There was immense pressure from advocates of both candidates and Ms. Fowler proved that she could stand alone for what she believed to be right.
April 2013 - Ms. Fowler voted against the state mandating use of Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports. Ms. Fowler expressed concern that the state was issuing yet another “unfunded mandate” and stated that questions about effectiveness and cost to the local district remained unanswered.
June 2013 - Ms. Fowler supported changes made by the legislature* to allow private schools accredited through ISACS to use alternative assessments for graduation rather than the new online PARCC exams, which the schools contended would significantly alter their course of study. (*Voting against a board resolution to recommend that the legislature require all privately owned and operated schools to comply with state assessments for graduation.)
July 2013 - Successfully amended the 'Career Connections Model Curricula', altering wording that would have required students to argue in favor of non-traditional gender roles in the workplace. Her changes allow the students freedom to choose how they present their project.
July 2013 - Ms. Fowler opposed a comprehensive statewide plan to usurp local school board authority and allow the state to intervene directly in poor performing schools and school districts.
September 2013 - Ms. Fowler voted against the revised Ohio Teacher Evaluation System Framework and Ohio Principal Evaluation System Framework (OTES, OPES), which tied teacher evaluations to student assessments by 50%. She states, “I believe teachers and principals should continue to be evaluated at a local level, with effectiveness and quality determined by the superintendent and school board that hired them and the parents they are serving, rather than by state officials unaware of local circumstances and student needs.”
November 2013 - Authored a resolution to place a disclaimer on any Ohio Department of Education webpage that appears to recommend curriculum or educational resources. The disclaimer reminds users that under Ohio law it is the responsibility of local school boards to vet and approve curriculum and materials being used in the public schools in their district. The resolution passed with strong bi-partisan support in a vote of 12-3.
November 2013 - Submitted testimony to the House Education Committee (on her own behalf) supporting HB237 and repeal of the Common Core State Standards and linked Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) assessments.
Early 2014 - Provided input regarding the process and forms that homeschooled students must use to participate in Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO). In the last budget the legislature set aside separate amounts of money for students attending public, private, and homeschools. In 2014, 272 homeschooled students received atleast one unit (four semester) funding credit.
February 2014 - Voted for a resolution supporting (but not mandating) cursive handwriting. (See photo at top.)
February 2014 - Participated in the Berkshire/Newbury potential consolidation hearing. Ms. Fowler met again with a large group of parents to hear their specific concerns and address questions. There are over 17 laws regarding consolidation and the process is not clear. Ms. Fowler has made suggestions to legislative members regarding specific changes that would provide better guidance and ensure that all parties voices are heard if a district moves forward with a public vote to consolidate.
April 2014 - Voted against a recommendation to the General Assembly that suggested removal of private schools’ ISACS accreditation exemption from using new PARRC assessments, which the schools contended would significantly alter their course of study.
Sarah Fowler has kept gallantly stood up for the children, parents, teachers, and taxpayers of Ohio by defending local control, parental involvement, and parent’s God-given right to choose the best education option for their children. Her proven track-record demonstrates that Ms. Fowler is competent and committed to putting the needs of her constituents ahead of any political agenda. In November, vote for a voice of common sense in education: Vote for Sarah Fowler!
March 2013 - A-Tech instructors, Bill Olin and Jack McMurphy, addressed the Achievement Committee as guests of Ms. Fowler, regarding the importance of more time for skills training.
March 2013 - She refused to support either candidate for state superintendent due to concerns that they were not being held to the same ethical standards as teachers and administrators across the state. There was immense pressure from advocates of both candidates and Ms. Fowler proved that she could stand alone for what she believed to be right.
April 2013 - Ms. Fowler voted against the state mandating use of Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports. Ms. Fowler expressed concern that the state was issuing yet another “unfunded mandate” and stated that questions about effectiveness and cost to the local district remained unanswered.
June 2013 - Ms. Fowler supported changes made by the legislature* to allow private schools accredited through ISACS to use alternative assessments for graduation rather than the new online PARCC exams, which the schools contended would significantly alter their course of study. (*Voting against a board resolution to recommend that the legislature require all privately owned and operated schools to comply with state assessments for graduation.)
July 2013 - Successfully amended the 'Career Connections Model Curricula', altering wording that would have required students to argue in favor of non-traditional gender roles in the workplace. Her changes allow the students freedom to choose how they present their project.
July 2013 - Ms. Fowler opposed a comprehensive statewide plan to usurp local school board authority and allow the state to intervene directly in poor performing schools and school districts.
September 2013 - Ms. Fowler voted against the revised Ohio Teacher Evaluation System Framework and Ohio Principal Evaluation System Framework (OTES, OPES), which tied teacher evaluations to student assessments by 50%. She states, “I believe teachers and principals should continue to be evaluated at a local level, with effectiveness and quality determined by the superintendent and school board that hired them and the parents they are serving, rather than by state officials unaware of local circumstances and student needs.”
November 2013 - Authored a resolution to place a disclaimer on any Ohio Department of Education webpage that appears to recommend curriculum or educational resources. The disclaimer reminds users that under Ohio law it is the responsibility of local school boards to vet and approve curriculum and materials being used in the public schools in their district. The resolution passed with strong bi-partisan support in a vote of 12-3.
November 2013 - Submitted testimony to the House Education Committee (on her own behalf) supporting HB237 and repeal of the Common Core State Standards and linked Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) assessments.
Early 2014 - Provided input regarding the process and forms that homeschooled students must use to participate in Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO). In the last budget the legislature set aside separate amounts of money for students attending public, private, and homeschools. In 2014, 272 homeschooled students received atleast one unit (four semester) funding credit.
February 2014 - Voted for a resolution supporting (but not mandating) cursive handwriting. (See photo at top.)
February 2014 - Participated in the Berkshire/Newbury potential consolidation hearing. Ms. Fowler met again with a large group of parents to hear their specific concerns and address questions. There are over 17 laws regarding consolidation and the process is not clear. Ms. Fowler has made suggestions to legislative members regarding specific changes that would provide better guidance and ensure that all parties voices are heard if a district moves forward with a public vote to consolidate.
April 2014 - Voted against a recommendation to the General Assembly that suggested removal of private schools’ ISACS accreditation exemption from using new PARRC assessments, which the schools contended would significantly alter their course of study.
Sarah Fowler has kept gallantly stood up for the children, parents, teachers, and taxpayers of Ohio by defending local control, parental involvement, and parent’s God-given right to choose the best education option for their children. Her proven track-record demonstrates that Ms. Fowler is competent and committed to putting the needs of her constituents ahead of any political agenda. In November, vote for a voice of common sense in education: Vote for Sarah Fowler!