New third grade reading standards set for 2013
As many as 10,000 third-graders could be held back next school year if they fall short of new minimum scores set for the state reading test. The state Board of Education set the new standard during its meeting Tuesday. The "third-grade guarantee" was approved last summer by Ohio lawmakers who left it to the state board to determine the score students should have to meet to move to fourth grade. Beginning in the 2013-14 school year, students will have to score at least 392 out of 500 to move on to the fourth grade.

Preliminary school report cards to be released
After weeks of delay, the State Board of Education has decided to release preliminary report card data on school districts and buildings. The data will be released in a spreadsheet around September 30th. It will not include attendance rates, performance index scores, or the overall score of a school or district. The report cards have been delayed as Ohio Auditor Dave Yost investigates schools for falsifying attendance records, which could boost school’s report card results. This week, Yost urged the board to release the data, even if some of it may have to be adjusted later on.

Husted sets new provisional ballot rules
Ohio's elections chief has issued new rules for counting provisional ballots in response to a federal judge's order seeking more access for the coming presidential election. Secretary of State Jon Husted  on Tuesday directed poll workers to count all so-called "right church, wrong pew" ballots. Those are ballots cast by voters who show up at the correct polling place but are mistakenly directed to an area of the polling place where votes for other precincts are being cast.

Pension funds overhaul set for vote
A package of bills that shore up Ohio's five public pension funds with increased premiums, higher retirement ages and other changes is set to clear the Ohio Legislature. The Ohio House and Senate plan floor votes on the proposals today. Changes will affect some 1.7 million retirees and future retirees and their families who are covered by the five funds. Policymakers, retiree groups, government employers and pension executives have wrestled over the fixes for four years. Without adjustments, some of the funds risk insolvency.

Closing statements today in Amish hate crimes trial
Defense attorneys for 16 members of a breakaway Amish group charged in hair-cutting attacks in eastern Ohio have rested their case without calling any witnesses. Closing statements will begin this morning in the hate crimes trial that began two weeks ago in Cleveland. Prosecutors say a religious feud between the Amish in eastern Ohio led to the hair- and beard-cutting attacks on fellow Amish last fall. All 16 defendants are charged with federal hate crimes and face lengthy prison terms if they're convicted. The defendants say the dispute involved internal church disciplinary matters and that the government shouldn't be getting involved.

Running mates in Ohio
The running mates are leading the latest charges in Ohio. Vice President Joe Biden campaigns today at Wright State University in Dayton, while Republican VP candidate Paul Ryan heads to the Clermont County Fairgrounds east of Cincinnati. President Barack Obama's campaign says the Democrat will return to Ohio next Monday with stops in Columbus and Cincinnati. GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney was in Mansfield two days ago. Wright State had a role in the 2008 race: Republican John McCain introduced Sarah Palin as his running mate there.