Ballotpedia, Chris Orban 

Chris earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign and his doctorate degree in physics from Ohio State University. He lives in the Weinland Park neighborhood with his wife and daughter. 

Chris is an associate professor of physics at Ohio State University (OSU). He previously worked as a postdoctoral researcher on a laser fusion project at OSU and as a research scientist on an ultra-intense laser project at Wright Patterson Air Force Base.

Chris Orban's campaign for Ohio State Board of Education District 6 is his first run for public office. 

Candidate website

Believes in increasing exposure to computer science in Ohio schools, noting that currently only 1 in 7 students take a computer science class before graduating.

Supports adding computer science concepts such as binary numbers to the K-12 math curriculum.

- Supports adding computer science concepts such as binary numbers to the K-12 math curriculum.

School Curriculum

Believes Ohio should take advantage of federal education research funding.

- Believes Ohio should take advantage of federal education research funding.

School Facilities & Resources

Facebook

Believes teachers should be the first ones to give their opinions on new education policies.

Supports providing funding for teachers to learn new skills for free at Ohio colleges.

- Believes teachers should be the first ones to give their opinions on new education policies.
- Supports providing funding for teachers to learn new skills for free at Ohio colleges.

Teachers

Opposes school voucher programs and believes they reduce funding for public and charter schools.

- Opposes school voucher programs and believes they reduce funding for public and charter schools.

Access to Education

Supports gun control measures to ensure child safety.

Supports using data to analyze school performance and see what approaches are working.

As of August 21, 2024, Chris Orban’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Student Wellbeing

Instagram

Youtube

Chris Orban

Believes criticism of the board's oversight of learning standards is invalid and does not justify relocating its offices.

Supports adding binary numbers to elementary, middle, and high school math standards.

Believes elementary and middle school students should learn binary numbers, saying "Computers store information with a series of ones and zeros called binary numbers."

Believes train derailments near populated areas are underreported and pose significant risk, citing a recent near-miss in Columbus as an example.

Believes he would bring a unique perspective to the role, saying, "I would like this opportunity to work for the teachers and students of Ohio, not just for myself and my reputation in academic circles."

Believes in the importance of diverse subjects in education, citing family members who are music, art, English, ESL teachers, and an ethics professor.

Believes empowering teachers to integrate computer science and spreadsheet skills into their classes is the most effective way to ensure all students learn these skills.

Supports unions, saying "Being a union worker helped my grandfather provide for his family and it helped my father go to school at Ohio State and work towards becoming a doctor."

Led professional development for hundreds of science and math teachers and is involved in integrating computer science into a math course in Ohio.

Believes the State Superintendent of Schools is difficult to replace, saying "Paulo De Maria...was a great guy and hard to replace!"

Believes the State Board of Education should act as a bipartisan oversight body to prove its usefulness and encourage the legislature to restore its previous role.

Believes the legislature's impatience for school improvement lacks specific policy changes that a Republican-majority board couldn't achieve, and notes these changes were not debated due to being part of a larger bill.

Believes in improving Ohio’s education standards, including updating science standards and contributing to computer science standards, emphasizing the state board of education's role in overseeing learning standards.

Believes in modernizing educational curriculum to improve access and quality of education.

Supports a blend of traditional Methodist hymns and black gospel music in worship services.

Supports access to rental assistance and utilities programs.

Believes students of color face significant struggles both in general and within the school system.

Is an active member of a progressive and multi-racial Methodist church in the north Linden neighborhood in Columbus.

Believes in prioritizing child wellbeing and education.

Chris Orban - Ballotpedia 

Chris Orban is an associate professor of physics at Ohio State University, serving both the Columbus and Marion campuses. He previously worked as a postdoctoral researcher on a laser fusion project at OSU and as a research scientist on an ultra-intense laser project at Wright Patterson Air Force Base.

- Supports adding computer science concepts such as binary numbers to the K-12 math curriculum.
- Supports using data to analyze school performance and see what approaches are working.

As of September 23, 2024, Chris Orban’s website did not contain information on this issue.

- The State Board of Education of Ohio (SBOE) is made up of 19 members. Eleven members are elected and eight are appointed by the governor.
- The SBOE appoints the superintendent of public instruction, who is the administrative and executive officer of the SBOE.
- The SBOE sets policies for Ohio schools, including requirements and qualifications for educator licensure, specific educational programs, and educational goals. 
- The SBOE manages the allocation of state and federal funds for public schools and submits budget requests to the state government every two years.
- Elected members serve four-year terms representing specific districts, with staggered elections ensuring only some members are up for election each year.