Policy and Advocacy
Ohio Excels actively works to shape policy, backed by data and best practices, that can improve educational outcomes for all students.
​
Ohio’s future and the future success of our students, families, and communities is determined by the knowledge and skills of our residents.
​
We know that improving the quality of education—from early childhood through higher education—provides students a better chance to succeed in a changing economy and will ultimately help Ohio businesses grow and innovate, giving Ohio a competitive advantage in the world marketplace.
2026 is a year of action and preparation. Ohio Excels is championing key business and education priorities in areas such as career-connected learning, data analysis, and mathematics as well as monitoring activity tied to our policy priorities. We are also continuing research and policy development and are engaging policymakers and campaigns to position Ohio Excels for impact in 2027 and beyond.
​
As always, we are working with partners to ensure important new policies, programs, and reforms are put into practice effectively across the state, in alignment with our enduring policy principles. These include literacy efforts to implement the science of reading, a new attainment goal for the state, and improvements to industry credentials, among others.
Our enduring policy principles guide all of Ohio Excels' efforts. We invite you to explore each priority area below to learn more about the principles and advocacy priorities we are actively pursuing in 2026.
Ohio Excels’ Reality Check highlights essential information and the overall health of the state’s education and workforce system, from early learning, K-12, and postsecondary education. These data points are vital for all Ohioans, but it is especially important for our state leaders to understand. Ohio Excels believes in a data-driven approach to improving education, and we offer solutions to these issues in our policy priorities below.
Early Childhood Education:​
​
Expanding Access, Quality, Capacity, and Kindergarten Readiness ​
​
Ohio Excels believes early childhood education must be affordable and accessible for working families and provide more than babysitting—it should deliver strong developmental and educational foundations that prepare children for kindergarten. Clear quality standards and transparency are essential to ensure real learning outcomes, and expanding system capacity is critical to meet growing demand and support Ohio’s workforce.
K-12 Education: Accelerating, Funding, and Diversifying Learning Opportunities​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Ohio Excels believes all students can succeed when expectations are high and learning is grounded in strong literacy, numeracy, and digital skills. Schools should leverage technology and innovation—including AI—to improve teaching and learning, while ensuring funding is sustainable, student-centered, and supports all school types. Families deserve affordable access to high-quality schools, clear and transparent information about performance, and well-trained educators for every student. Strong business–education partnerships, flexible systems, and a focus on outcomes are essential to better align K-12 learning with workforce needs.​
Career-Connected Learning:
Connecting Education and Employment for All Students
​
Ohio Excels believes all students—not just those in Career-Technical Education—should have access to career-connected learning aligned with in-demand skills and the needs of Ohio’s evolving economy. Students should begin academic and career planning in the middle grades, supported by meaningful advising, career exploration, and real-world work experiences. Strong business–education partnerships, connected data systems, and seamless education-to-workforce pathways are essential to ensure learning is relevant, outcomes are measurable, and students have the agency to chart their own path to college, career, and life success.
Higher Education: Promoting Accessibility, Affordability, and Employment Outcomes
​​​
Ohio Excels believes postsecondary education beyond a high school diploma—whether a degree, credential, or apprenticeship—is essential for career success. Higher education must be accessible and affordable so students can enroll, persist, and complete their studies with minimal debt. State policy should reward programs that deliver strong completion and employment outcomes, protect and expand College Credit Plus, and ensure institutions can respond quickly to changing workforce needs driven by technology and AI. Strong student supports and business partnerships are critical to helping students succeed and connect learning to real-world opportunities.​
Workforce Development:​​
Building a Connected, Employer-Centered Learning System for Ongoing Training
Ohio Excels believes lifelong learning must be an accessible and expected part of every Ohioan’s journey as technology and AI continue to transform work. Workforce systems should reconnect individuals to upskilling and advancement opportunities aligned with employer demand, through strong, employer-driven partnerships that make learning relevant and timely. Ohio must design flexible, inclusive systems that support adult learners, remove barriers, and prioritize public investments in programs and credentials that deliver measurable outcomes for workers and businesses.