Professional Report

Ohio Revised Code §3319.31 grants the State Board of Education authority to deny an educator’s

application for a teaching license or to suspend, limit or revoke an educator’s existing teaching

license.

What are the grounds for the State Board to pursue disciplinary action?

The grounds for the State Board of Education to pursue disciplinary action are listed in Ohio Revised

Code §3319.31. The State Board of Education can pursue a disciplinary action if a licensed educator

or an applicant seeking licensure has engaged in conduct unbecoming the teaching profession or

has pled guilty to or been convicted of any felony offense, misdemeanor sex offense, violent offense,

theft offense or drug abuse offense. (Ohio Revised Code §3319.31) In addition, the State Board can

pursue disciplinary action if an educator has terminated his/her teaching contract in violation of Ohio

Revised Code §3319.15 or has engaged in a proficiency test violation (Ohio Revised Code

§3319.151).

What disciplinary actions can the State Board take?

There are several types of disciplinary actions the SBOE can pursue to eliminate unprofessional

conduct from the teaching profession:

Letter of Admonishment:

A letter detailing an educator’s misconduct and formally admonishing the

educator that the behavior constitutes conduct unbecoming the teaching profession. A letter of

admonishment is a public record and remains a part of the educator’s disciplinary record.

Consent Agreement:

A formal settlement agreement between an educator and the State Board of

Education. Consent Agreements are designed to address specific educator conduct and to establish

an educator’s efforts at rehabilitation. Terms and conditions of consent agreements vary depending

on the conduct being addressed, but can include a suspension of an educator’s license. A Consent

Agreement is a public record and remains a part of the educator’s disciplinary file.

Suspension:

A formal disciplinary action that suspends an educator’s license for a specified period

of time, not to exceed five years. During the suspension period, an educator is prohibited from

performing any educational activities or duties that require licensure through the Ohio Department of

Education. After the suspension period, the license is reactivated if the educator can demonstrate

compliance with any educational requirements and other conditions contained in the State Board’s