Posted by Justin Jeffre

Dear Governor Strickland,

My name is Justin Jeffre, a multi-platinum recording artist and a Cincinnati media activist.  I read a few stories recently where you have questioned the Ohio Graduation Tests, so I thought you should know about some work I’ve been engaging concerning those same tests.

A few weeks ago, I filed a complaint to the Ohio Board of Education, alleging that the tests are “unfair” according to guidelines set forth in Ohio Administrative Code.  That complaint is active.

A short time later, I also submitted a letter of complaint to the Ohio Board of Regents.  It appears they are funding teacher training programs that technically bring educators into violation of Ohio law.

And finally, I have requested an investigation of Warrensville High School, since they also appear to be engaging in test preparation activities prohibited by Ohio’s test ethics laws.

Like you, I do not support this test, and I think we need to fix the broken funding system.  I was pleased to see you addressing that, too.  I want you to know about my active complaints, however, because they seek to shed light on the broken system surrounding the OGT, and they bolster the argument that the tests have failed and need to be eliminated.

Respectfully,

Justin P. Jeffre
Cincinnati, Ohio

Thank you for reading (and printing from) The Cincinnati Beacon.