Ohio High School Athletic Association officiating license gains recognition
COLUMBUS – In a significant development for high school students and the sports officiating community, the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) has officially recognized the officiating license provided by the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) as an Industry Recognized Credential.
This recognition allows students who obtain the license to apply it towards their high school graduation requirements within the health career field, marking a notable integration of sports officiating into educational credentials.
According to the ODE in a recent announcement, this decision underscores the educational and professional value of the OHSAA’S officiating program, offering students a distinctive pathway to enhance both their academic and career prospects.
Successful licensure through the OHSAA will count for four of the required 12 points toward certification in the health career field, providing a new avenue for students to fulfill graduation prerequisites.
The inclusion of the sports officiating license as an industry-recognized credential is part of Ohio’s broader strategy to prepare students for post-secondary success by allowing them to earn credentials that schools and districts can report on Ohio Report Cards.
This approach underscores the state’s commitment to versatile education pathways that cater to diverse interests and career goals.
Scott Hunt, executive director of the Ohio Department of Education and an ex-officio member of the OHSAA Board of Directors, expressed pride in the collaborative efforts that made this achievement possible.
“We take pride in supporting initiatives that furnish Ohio students with opportunities to earn credentials recognized across industries, aiding them in meeting the state’s graduation requirements,” Hunt said in a statement from the OHSAA.
This milestone results from the collective efforts of the OHSAA, ODE, and Refreps, an Indiana-based sports officiating education technology company.
Their collaboration has introduced a cutting-edge sports officiating curriculum to nearly 60 schools across Ohio, setting a precedent for the training and development of future sports officials.
Doug Ute, executive director of the OHSAA, highlighted the significance of this collaboration.
“We’re excited about the ongoing partnership with the Ohio Department of Education and Refreps, which underscores our commitment to providing educational opportunities that benefit students throughout Ohio,” Ute remarked.
He emphasized the dual benefits of workforce experience and classroom credit, lauding the initiative as a win-win for all stakeholders.
Kyle Armstrong, founder and CEO of Refreps, noted Ohio’s pioneering role in recognizing sports officiating coursework for graduation credit, a first in the nation facilitated by the collaboration with ODE and OHSAA.
“Ohio is the inaugural state to achieve this milestone, a testament to the hard work and dedication of all parties involved,” Armstrong said, expressing pride in his team’s contributions to this landmark achievement.
This initiative also resonates with adult referees in Ohio, who have embraced the Refreps Officiating Education System as part of their general licensure requirements.
Veteran sports official and Refreps co-founder Mark Baltz emphasized the importance of consistent, standardized training in addressing the nationwide shortage of sports officials.
The partnership with Refreps, recognized by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and numerous state high school associations, is poised to revolutionize sports officiating education.
This initiative not only addresses the immediate need for trained officials but also acknowledges the broader impact of sports on education and community well-being.
For more details on this initiative and how to become involved, interested parties are encouraged to visit the Ohio Department of Education’s “Industry Recognized Credentials” page, the OHSAA’S “Become an Official” page, and Refreps’ official website.