Ohio Senate Bill to Ban K-12 DEI Programs Draws Widespread Opposition Testimony
Why It Matters
Ohio lawmakers are weighing legislation that would fundamentally reshape how public schools approach diversity programs, staff recruitment, and student support services. Ohio Senate Bill 113 would require every local school board in the state to eliminate existing diversity and inclusion offices and prohibit any related training or orientation — a move opponents say could limit educators’ ability to serve all students effectively.
What Happened
The Ohio Senate Education Committee heard testimony on the measure, with roughly 80 people submitting written opposition and a smaller number offering support. Educators, counselors, and civil liberties advocates focused much of their criticism on what they described as the bill’s failure to clearly define what constitutes prohibited diversity, equity, and inclusion activity.
Ohio Federation of Teachers President Melissa Cropper told the committee the legislation is “frustratingly vague about what does and doesn’t qualify as prohibited” conduct under the bill. ACLU of Ohio Legislative Director Gary Daniels warned that without a clear definition, virtually any school activity could be subject to challenge.
State Sen. Andrew Brenner, a Republican from Delaware, Ohio, introduced the bill. Brenner recently lost his Republican primary race and is not expected to return to the General Assembly after next year — his first absence since 2011.
By the Numbers
- ~80 people submitted written testimony opposing the bill
- Fewer than 10 people provided support testimony
- 13% — the increased likelihood that Black students who have one Black teacher in elementary school will enroll in college, per a 2018 National Bureau of Economic Research study
- 32% — the increased college enrollment likelihood for Black students who have two Black teachers
- 30% fewer reported instances of homophobic remarks in schools with active DEI programs, according to a 2021 national school climate survey
The Opposition’s Case
Cropper argued the bill could effectively prohibit targeted recruitment of Black teachers, even though research links diverse teaching staffs to measurably better student outcomes. She emphasized that diversity hiring is about expanding the applicant pool, not reducing qualifications.
Joshua Meek, statewide advocacy manager for Equality Ohio, said DEI programs are aimed at removing barriers to achievement rather than lowering academic standards. Heather Fairs of the Ohio School Counselor Association warned the bill could constrain school counselors’ ability to identify and address obstacles to student success across academic, social, and emotional dimensions.
Ohio Rep. Phil Robinson, a Democrat from Solon, said the legislative energy would be better directed toward teacher pay and classroom resources. “We don’t need to chase culture wars,” he said, noting he has not heard from parents or educators calling for restrictions on DEI in K-12 settings. Debates over education spending remain a persistent concern in the state, as reflected in how Ohio voters have weighed affordability pressures in recent elections.
Supporters’ Position
Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman, a Republican from Lima, offered measured support for the bill’s underlying intent. He suggested some teachers have been trained in university programs to emphasize certain concepts as a central focus of instruction, even for young children — something he said most parents find inappropriate.
Zoom Out
Ohio’s legislation is part of a broader wave of state-level efforts to restrict DEI programs in public institutions. Similar measures have advanced or passed in Florida, Texas, and several other states, primarily targeting higher education before expanding to K-12 systems. Critics of these bills have consistently raised concerns about definitional ambiguity, arguing that broad language creates enforcement uncertainty for administrators and teachers. Ohio has also seen debate over the economic trade-offs of other state policy interventions, illustrating ongoing tensions between legislative priorities and practical outcomes.
What’s Next
The bill remains in the Ohio Senate Education Committee. Its future is uncertain given that its primary sponsor, Sen. Brenner, will not return to the chamber after his primary loss. Committee members have not announced a timeline for a vote. Any measure that clears the Senate would still require passage in the Ohio House, where Speaker Huffman has indicated he has not yet reviewed the legislation in detail.