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OHIO EDUCATION ASSOCIATION

Program
Ohio History Connection
Subject
Education
Location
205 S High St, Akron, OH 44308, USA
Lat/Long
41.079556, -81.517111
Grant Recipient
Ohio History Connection
Historic Marker

OHIO EDUCATION ASSOCIATION

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OHIO EDUCATION ASSOCIATION

On December 30, 1847, six educators met at the Summit County Courthouse to organize the first convention of the Ohio State Teachers’ Association, now known as the Ohio Education Association (OEA). The organizers Josiah Hurty (Richland County), Thomas W. Harvey (Geauga County), M.D. Leggett (Summit County), Lorin Andrews (Ashland County), William Bowen (Stark County), and Marcellus F. Cowdery (Lake County) hoped “to elevate the profession of teaching” and “to promote the interests of schools in Ohio.” In 1853, the General Assembly enacted the new association’s entire slate of proposals into law, thus ensuring free, universal, public education in Ohio. For 176 years, the Ohio Education Association has advocated for fair terms and conditions of employment for Ohio educators and for the betterment and improvement of public education for all students.

WILLIAM G. POMEROY FOUNDATION
OHIO EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
OHIO HISTORY CONNECTION
2023