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OVESC's Filemaker Pro Assessment Maker : For more info. click on our "For Teachers" Link at the
top of this page.
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Educational Service Centers were
established in 1914 through an act of the Ohio General Assembly.
The law created 87 "County School Districts" and charged them with the task of
"elevating the state's system of education to a proper standard." This
effort entailed county office staff members drafting courses of study for school
systems, providing in-service training for teachers, and assuring quality
classroom instruction through supervision and evaluation.
Ohio's Vital Learning Link: An Evolution
The role of the county offices evolved and expanded over the next several
decades. In the 1930's, they began assisting districts with fiscal and
purchasing services; later, in the 1960's their responsibilities expanded again
as they began operating special education programs for schools.
The ESC Role Today
Today, "county school districts" or Educational Service Centers provide a
myriad of services that include not only their original mandate, but gifted
education programs, alternative school options, school improvement initiatives,
early childhood education programs, and much more.
In 1995, Amended Substitute House Bill 117 changed the role of the "county
school districts" by redefining their responsibilities, and renaming them
"educational service centers." The law also encouraged county offices to
merge into regional agencies. Today, there are 60 educational service centers
across the state providing vital services to approximately 95% of Ohio's more
than 600 public school districts. ESC's provide support and assistance to school
districts and school-aged children, as well as community organizations
throughout Ohio.
Increased Customer Choice: The Evolution
Continues
In June 2003, Am. Sub. H.B. 95 granted local school districts greater
choice in selections of ESC's. Districts were granted the ability to serve their
districts from the territory of an existing ESC and annex to the territory of
another adjacent ESC. Granting greater choice in ESCs insures the ultimate
accountability customer satisfaction.
Elected Boards Ensure Proper Public
Oversight and Accountability
Keeping with the tradition of maintaining local control of public
schools, Educational Service Centers operate under the oversight of a
locally-elected Governing Board. The day-to-day operations of ESCs are
conducted through ESC superintendents, treasurers and other administrators.
ESC Funding -- ESCs, defined in both
state and federal law as school districts are public education agencies.
As such, ESCs receive some state funding to support operations. Despite
their public and not-for-profit status, ESCs are unable to generate funds
through taxation. Each ESC depends on revenues from contracted delivery of
services to districts or competition for public dollars and/or grant funds as
their primary source of revenue.
A Vital Component to Ohio's Educational
System
ESCs are a vital and necessary component of Ohio's educational system and
will continue to serve as the conduit and delivery system for Ohio's school
improvement and educational reforms.
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