Rebuilding the Foundation: Why the Success Sequence is Key to Ohio’s Future
The family is the bedrock of a flourishing society. When the family is strong, our communities are stable, our economy is resilient, and our children have the best opportunity to thrive. Yet, for too many young Ohioans, the path to the American Dream has been obscured by cultural shifts and economic instability.
On February 17, 2026, the House Education Committee heard powerful testimony on Senate Bill 156. This critical legislation, sponsored by Senator Al Cutrona, seeks to equip students with a research-backed roadmap to personal and financial freedom known as the "Success Sequence."
The Vision for Success
The Success Sequence is not a complex formula; it is a proven framework for poverty avoidance. Research shows that when individuals follow three foundational steps, they are overwhelmingly more likely to achieve stability:
Graduate: Complete at least a high school education.
Work: Obtain and maintain full-time employment.
Marry: Wait until marriage to have children.
The data is undeniable: 97% of those who follow this sequence in order avoid living in poverty as adults. SB156 ensures that Ohio’s students in grades 6-12 are taught these outcomes, giving them the agency to make informed decisions about their own futures.
The Evidence: Expert Testimony at the Statehouse
During the hearing, leading family experts testified on the transformative power of these principles. They highlighted that while "secular activists" often focus solely on systemic issues, we must also empower the next generation with the moral and practical tools to build stable lives.
As noted in CCV’s Hope and a Future report, Ohio currently ranks 29th on the Family Structure Index. Strengthening the family unit is not just a moral imperative—it is an economic necessity for our state's long-term health.
Below are the individual testimonies from Brad, Ian, and CCV Policy Executive Director David Mahan.
1. Brad Wilcox – The Two-Parent Advantage
Dr. Brad Wilcox, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Family Studies, presented data showing that family structure remains the single most powerful predictor of economic mobility for Ohio’s children, often outweighing the impact of school quality or local economic conditions.
2. Ian Rowe – Agency and Opportunity
Ian Rowe (American Enterprise Institute)) argued that teaching the Success Sequence empowers students with "agency," moving them past a victimhood narrative by providing a concrete, research-based roadmap to self-sufficiency.
3. David Mahan – CCV’s Vision for Ohio
Our Policy Executive Director, David Mahan, called on lawmakers to prioritize "building strong children" today to avoid the high cost of "rebuilding broken adults" tomorrow.
Take Action: Strengthen Ohio Families
We are reminded in Proverbs 22:6 (ESV): "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." By integrating the Success Sequence into our schools, we are providing students with a vision of life that honors the dignity of work and the sanctity of the family.
We need business leaders, pastors, and parents to lead the way in supporting this common-sense legislation. SB156 has already passed the Senate and is moving through the House. Your voice is essential to ensuring this bill reaches the Governor’s desk.
Contact Your Lawmaker: Urge your Representative to support SB156 by using our Find Your Lawmaker tool. By supporting SB156, you are helping us restore the foundation of the family in Ohio public policy.
Spread the Word: Share this post with your church or professional network to help us rebuild the "walls" of the family in Ohio.
For more information, contact CCV at 513-733-5775 or contact@ccv.org. For media inquiries, email media@ccv.org.
As Ohio's largest Christian public policy organization, Center for Christian Virtue seeks the good of our neighbors by advocating for public policy that reflects the truth of the Gospel.
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