Gov. John Kasich signs education bill linking schools, employers

CINCINNATI - Ohio Gov. John Kasich has signed a sweeping education bill that seeks to strengthen ties between the state's employers and public schools and makes dozens of other policy changes.

Kasich gave final approval to the bill Monday in Cincinnati. The event took place at Fifth Third Bank's operations center in Madisonville.

Under the measure, Ohio third-graders lagging in reading skills face the possibility of being held back for up to two school years as they get academic help. It sets adjusted training and retesting requirements for teachers who are deemed to be ineffective for two of the previous three years. The legislation also requires all special needs students to get eye exams.

At the signing, the Republican governor emphasized changes detailing workforce education with available jobs.