Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jim Tressel today announced the launch of Ohio’s Regional Education Partnerships, a new statewide initiative designed to help young people achieve a strong start in life, stay on track through school, and prepare for college, training, or meaningful careers. This program designates 12 regional partnerships across Ohio, bringing together local education leaders, employers, workforce organizations, and community partners to proactively address challenges facing young Ohioans.\n\nThese partnerships aim to create a unified framework for organizations that often operate independently, using a data-driven approach to identify areas where support is most needed and coordinate efforts around common goals. Learn to Earn Dayton will serve as the statewide technical assistance provider, leveraging its nationally recognized leadership in building community partnerships to improve educational outcomes and economic mobility. Stacy Schweikhart, CEO of Learn to Earn Dayton, said, “Our job is to meet partners in each region where they are… and give each of them the support, data, and peer connections to turn strategy into results for students.”\n\nGovernor DeWine emphasized the importance of the initiative, saying, “Ohio’s future depends on the success of our young people. Regional Education Partnerships build on our years of investments in early childhood, literacy, and career-connected learning by bringing communities together around a shared goal – helping more young people reach their full potential.” Lt. Governor Tressel added, “When an entire community pulls in the same direction, we create more opportunities for people and build a stronger future for Ohio.”\n\nThe initiative builds on the DeWine Administration’s commitment to supporting Ohio children, including expanded early childhood supports, strengthened literacy instruction, and increased career-connected learning opportunities. Developed with support from the Ohio General Assembly, the partnerships will be led by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce in collaboration with the Ohio Department of Children and Youth and the Ohio Department of Higher Education. Rep. Andrea White said, “It’s an investment that will yield significant economic outcomes and opportunities for our students, our communities, and our state – not only for today, but for many years to come.”\n\nOver the coming months, each partnership will conduct comprehensive assessments of regional collaboration efforts, establish local priorities, and begin implementing customized improvement plans, supported through monthly coaching, shared data tools, and ongoing technical assistance.
