Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton, a pro-abortion Democrat, says medically accurate information about the pre-born does not belong in Ohio Schools and education is sure to be a major issue in the gubernatorial election that looms closer.
“Ohioans have made it clear that they don’t want national political battles playing out in our schools and classrooms,” Acton posted on X. “This decision by our Statehouse is doing exactly that – and subjecting some of our youngest kids to charged information that directly favors an agenda that Ohioans overwhelmingly voted against.”
But Republicans are accusing Acton of the very thing she opposed in her X post: playing politics with the classroom. The same day that Acton posted about Baby Olivia, the Fox News published an article that scrutinized the National Education Association for trainings that promoted LGBT ideology.
Ohio state Rep. Melanie Miller, a Republican and the sponsor of the Baby Olivia Act in the Ohio House, referenced the NEA scandal in a conversation with The Daily Signal, calling Acton’s “double standard… infuriating.”
Others in the Ohio Republican Party took note as well.
“Amy Acton loves to lecture others about political battles in schools, but her silence on the NEA’s political agenda is deafening,” Ohio GOP Chairman Alex Triantafilou told The Daily Signal. “If she truly opposes politics in the classroom, she should apply that standard consistently, not only when it suits her political beliefs. Ohioans deserve clear and honest answers.”
The Daily Signal did not receive comment from the Acton campaign or the campaign for Republican Vivek Ramaswamy.
What Is the Baby Olivia Act?
The Baby Olivia Act would teach children medically accurate information on the preborn.
Miller explained to The Daily Signal that some schools in Ohio are already teaching such information. According to the bill’s text, such legislation will “require human growth and development instruction in public schools.”
“The Baby Olivia Act is a science-based resource that helps Ohio students learn accurate facts about prenatal development. It was built through bipartisan work focused on what’s best for kids, so it’s disappointing to see political agitators try to stir up controversy instead of supporting stronger classroom standards,” Miller added.
The Baby Olivia video is available for viewing online, with more information about the video and an FAQ.
The video to be shown in classrooms for grades 5-12 was produced by Live Action, a national pro-life group, with doctors and the Endowment of Human Development also involved.
State Rep. Gary Click, a Ohio Republican who cosponsored the bill, replied abortion is what’s political, while “Life is science.”
Vice President of Communications and Government Affairs at Live Action Noah Brandt provided a statement to The Daily Signal about such legislation, referring to its passage as “a bold step forward toward ensuring that our children are equipped with the factual knowledge they deserve about the miracle of life beginning at fertilization.”
Miller focused on her bill providing flexibility to decide how the material will be taught in which class, as well as transparency for parents who can view the video and choose to opt out of their children viewing such material.
A lesson on this subject matter, as Miller explained to The Daily Signal, will involve a three-minute ultrasound video showing development of major organs as well as the Baby Olivia video or a similar one showing the process of fertilization until the child is born. The state representative spoke of “a glimpse” into the womb and likened it to a National Geographic video.
Brandt also said that he “commend[s]” Miller “and the courageous House members who stood for truth amid opposition,” while calling on state senators and Republican Gov. Mike DeWine to approve the bill.
“Ohio has the opportunity to join Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, North Dakota, and Tennessee as a beacon for life-affirming education,” Brandt concluded, referring to the other states where such legislation passed.
Should the bill, pass the Ohio Senate and be signed into law by DeWine, it would do so after Ohio voters in 2023 approved a ballot initiative in favor of abortion access.
Miller stressed that her bill “does not changing anything with this on the constitutional amendment whatsoever.” As she also offered to The Daily Signal, “I support what the voters chose. It’s not what I agree with, it’s wrong, but the people of Ohio made their voices heard.”
The Daily Signal also reached out to the Ohio Democratic Party but did not hear back.
What About Left-Wing Politics in the Classroom?
Beyond the recent NEA scandal, reporting from the Washington Examiner has brought attention to the largest teachers union providing “a detailed race and gender ideology script for teachers” as well as a gender glossary and focus on pronouns.
The NEA has called those who oppose their efforts “villains” and, when discussing “transgender youth,” also specifically mentioned efforts from state Republicans.
The Daily Signal reached out to the NEA for comment but did not hear back.
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