Ohio Employment and Education

Unemployment is down in the state from the 2005 rate of 5.9%, to 2006’s current rate of 5.8%. Some of the top employers in the heartland are banks and insurance companies. Ohio is home to second largest insurance company concentration in US and many major banking operations. As part of America’s Corn Belt, it also produces soybeans, dairy products, tomatoes, corn, hogs, cattle, poultry and eggs. It is also the number one grower of nursery plants in the nation. In addition, refineries and automobile plants employ many of its citizens. Ohio industries also include: machinery, tools, processed foods, steel, tires and rubber products. One of the nation’s industry leaders, Ohio is the country’s largest metal castings producer. It is also a transportation hub, providing access of goods from the Northeast to the Northwest. Ohio provides products for companies like Procter and Gamble, Smucker’s Jams and Jellies and Day-Glo Paints.

Tourism also plays a part in Ohio’s economy, with its many historic, outdoor, entertainment and leisure attractions like Cedar Point, which is home to the largest and highest roller coasters in the world. Ohio had over 45,000 new jobs this year and earnings in the state were up .7%.

Ohio Education

NAEP testing of students in fourth and eighth grades has stayed the same in recent years. Fourth grade students in 2003 tested at basic or above skills in math at 81% and in 2005 tested at 84%. While eighth graders’ math tests showed 74% were at a basic skill level or above in 2003, it was 74% in 2005. 69% of fourth graders tested at basic or above in both 2003 and 2005, for reading scores. Eighth graders were at 78% proficiency in 2003 and remained the same 2005.