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  • Select Your State
  • About The Index
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  • National Overview
  • Select Your State
  • About The Index

PARENT POWER!

  • National Overview
  • Select Your State
  • About The Index
Menu
  • National Overview
  • Select Your State
  • About The Index

PARENT POWER!

  • National Overview
  • Select Your State
  • About The Index
Menu
  • National Overview
  • Select Your State
  • About The Index

Ohio

U.S.
Rank

#4
Overall PPI Score:
80.5%
PPI Grade Key:
← Back to Ohio state overview
A
B
C
D
F
  • Opportunity
  • Innovation
  • Policy Environment

Charter Schools

Score:

75%

Grade:

C

Rank:

#17

After a number of difficult years surrounding over-regulating on the state’s law, important changes were made in 2021 to eliminate geographic restrictions on startup charter schools which kept charter schools from opening in many parts of the state and reward highly successful schools. Now schools can open in any community, paving the way for more options for families. Increased funding for facilities and programming will help existing charter schools. While the amount of funding has increased in recent years (especially for high-performing schools) it is still inequitable when compared to what traditional public schools receive.

Fast Facts:

Law passed: 1997

Most recently amended: 2021

Number of charter schools: 315

Number of charter students: 113,900

Cap on the number of schools allowed:? Yes in many ways (see details).

Virtual charters allowed? Yes, but there is a limit of 5 new virtual charter schools each year.

Charter Law Analysis:

AUTHORIZERS: A variety of authorizers are permitted by law and has changed dramatically since the law was first enacted. In addition to local school boards, board of a vocational district and boards of educational service centers, non-profit organizations and state universities approved by the state department of education can authorize. Only local school boards and educational service center boards may approve conversion charters.

GROWTH: Authorizers may approve up to 100 schools, unless the authorizer is rated as “exemplary” for two years in a row, in which case there is no maximum for that authorizer. Virtual charter schools are capped at up to five new schools per year. A budget bill passed in 2021 permits the establishment of a new start-up community school in any school district, rather than only a “challenged school district” as under current law. This is a huge improvement from prior restrictions.

OPERATIONS: Charters do not receive a blanket waiver from state and local laws, but depending on the authorizer or the longevity of the school there may be more flexibility. The state has layered the authorizing and school operations climate, however with hundreds of compliance requirements that often results in an environment where schools have far less autonomy than the law prescribes. Virtual charter schools have enrollment limits based on the local district school enrollment. 

EQUITY: Charters are funded by a combination of several different sources: per-pupil district dollars, opportunity grant funding, K-3 and special education funding, and a formula based on economically disadvantaged, ESL, and career technology funding. A 2021 bill that was passed requires the state to directly fund charter schools. 

Traditional districts are allowed by law to levy local taxes for charter schools authorized by “exemplary” authorizers A 2019 law provided an additional $30 million in supplemental state aid for high-performing charters. Schools also receive an additional $1,750 per pupil for economically disadvantaged students and $1,000 for non-disadvantaged students. Districts are to provide transportation for charter students. Charter schools are also entitled to some level of per-pupil facilities funding. While the amount of funding has increased in recent years (especially for high-performing schools) it is still inequitable when compared to what traditional public schools receive.

Learn More:

Ohio Charter School Law

Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools

Choice Programs (Scholarships, Vouchers, Tax Credits, etc.)

Score:

88%

Grade:

B

Rank:

#4

The Buckeye state has eight educational choice programs that help parents meet their students’ needs, including the state’s pioneering voucher program which went all the way to the Supreme Court in 2002.  A budget bill in July 2021 authorized the Afterschool Child Enrichment, the (ACE) Education Savings Account, and expanded the K-12 Nonchartered Private School Tax Credit, the K-12 Home Education Tax Credit, and the Ohio Tax Credit Scholarship Program. Now it’s time to expand the state’s first voucher program to apply to all families, which like Arizona’s model would not only streamline this complex array of benefits but more directly improve opportunities for all.

Fast Facts:

Law enacted: 1995-2013

Number of programs: 6

Statewide Participation: 73,869

Types of programs: Voucher

Choice Laws & Analysis:

Voucher
Educational Choice Scholarship Program
Ohio’s “EdChoice” scholarship program was enacted in 2005 and provides private school vouchers to K–12 students who are assigned to “low-performing” public schools. Participating private schools are required to accept the voucher as full tuition for students whose families are at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level.

A massive budget bill passed in 2021 increases the EdChoice Scholarship amounts to $5,500 per pupil (from $4,650) in grades K-8 and $7,500 per pupil (from $6,000) in grades 9-12. It also expands performance-based eligibility to include siblings of current scholarship students, students in foster and kinship care, and students entering 9th grade; eliminates the cap (currently 60,000) on the number of scholarships that may be awarded; and directly funds the EdChoice scholarship program  (prior law required funding to go through resident districts).

Voucher
Income-Based Scholarship Program
Ohio enacted its Income-Based Scholarship Program in 2013 as an expansion of the EdChoice program. It provides private school vouchers to all eligible K-6 students from low- and lower-middle-income households, not exceeding 200 percent of the federal poverty level. These school voucher amounts vary depending on family income. Beginning with the 2020-21 school year, it expands to all K-12 income-eligible students.

Voucher
Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Program
The Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship was enacted in 2011 and began serving students in 2012. The program provides students with disabilities school vouchers for private tuition and other educational services. The Ohio Department of Education sets school voucher limits for different types of disabilities. In 2021 the value of scholarships per student increased from $6,020 up to $6,217 for FY 2022 and $6,414 for FY 2023.

Voucher
Autism Scholarship Program
Ohio Autism Scholarship Program, the nation’s only private school choice program designed for students specifically with autism, was enacted in 2003 and began in 2004. The program offers reimbursement vouchers to students with autism who receive private educational services, including private schooling. In 2021 the maximum scholarship amount per student was increased for the Autism Scholarship Program from $27,000 to $31,500, for FY 2022, and $32,455, for FY 2023 and thereafter.

Voucher
Cleveland Scholarship Program
Ohio’s Cleveland Scholarship Program was enacted in 1995 and launched in 1996. Through this program, students who attend the Cleveland Metropolitan School District can receive vouchers to attend neighboring public schools or private schools.The 2021 budget bill Increases Cleveland Scholarships to $5,500 per pupil (from $4,650) in grades K-8 and $7,500 per pupil (from $6,000) in grades 9-12 and directly funds the program (prior law required funding to go through resident districts).

Education Savings Account
ACE Educational Savings Account
The Ohio Afterschool Child Enrichment (Ohio ACE) program –  launched in April 2022 –  will allow eligible families to apply for a $500 account for each of their K-12 children to help families pay for a variety of necessary educational services, including summer, before-school and after-school activities.  Ohio students ages 6-18 whose family income is less than 300% of the Federal Poverty Level are eligible for the $500 credit. Parents and guardians may select enrichment and educational activities from approved service providers in the ACE Marketplace or request that a service provider be approved and added to the marketplace.

Individual Tax Credit/Deduction
K-12 Nonchartered Private School
Additionally, the state provides a tax credit of up to $500 for families with a total annual household income of less than $50,000 for tuition paid for one or more dependents to attend a nonchartered private school. For families with a total annual household income that is between $50,000 and $100,000, the tax credit is worth up to $1,000.

Individual Tax Credit/Deduction
K-12 Home Education Tax Credit
Parents can access a nonrefundable tax credit of up to $250 for qualifying home education expenses, including books, supplementary materials, supplies, computer software, applications or subscriptions.

Tax Credit Scholarship
Ohio Tax Credit Scholarship Program
Creates a tax-credit scholarship program. Under this new policy, Ohioans can receive a non-refundable tax credit of up to $750 for contributions to a non-profit that awards scholarships to K–12 students.

Learn More:

EdChoice Analysis on Ohio

Federation for Children Choice Program Information

2019 ALEC Report Card on American Education

Teacher Quality

Score:

76%

Grade:

C

Rank:

#12

Elementary teacher preparation programs do not require content knowledge tests; the state requires Cleveland Public Schools to adopt a performance pay system based on teacher effectiveness.

TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT: 76%
General Teacher Preparation 72%
Elementary Teacher Preparation 72%
Secondary Teacher Preparation 85%
Special Education Teacher Preparation 68%
Alternate Routes 85%  

STAFFING AND SUPPORT: 76%
Hiring 80%
Retaining Effective Teachers 71%

TEACHER EVALUATION: 80%

TEACHER COMPENSATION: 72%

Learn More:

National Council for Teacher Quality State Teacher Policy Database

Charter Schools

Score:

75%

Grade:

C

Rank:

#17

After a number of difficult years surrounding over-regulating on the state’s law, important changes were made in 2021 to eliminate geographic restrictions on startup charter schools which kept charter schools from opening in many parts of the state and reward highly successful schools. Now schools can open in any community, paving the way for more options for families. Increased funding for facilities and programming will help existing charter schools. While the amount of funding has increased in recent years (especially for high-performing schools) it is still inequitable when compared to what traditional public schools receive.

Fast Facts:

Law passed: 1997

Most recently amended: 2021

Number of charter schools: 315

Number of charter students: 113,900

Cap on the number of schools allowed:? Yes in many ways (see details).

Virtual charters allowed? Yes, but there is a limit of 5 new virtual charter schools each year.

Charter Law Analysis:

AUTHORIZERS: A variety of authorizers are permitted by law and has changed dramatically since the law was first enacted. In addition to local school boards, board of a vocational district and boards of educational service centers, non-profit organizations and state universities approved by the state department of education can authorize. Only local school boards and educational service center boards may approve conversion charters.

GROWTH: Authorizers may approve up to 100 schools, unless the authorizer is rated as “exemplary” for two years in a row, in which case there is no maximum for that authorizer. Virtual charter schools are capped at up to five new schools per year. A budget bill passed in 2021 permits the establishment of a new start-up community school in any school district, rather than only a “challenged school district” as under current law. This is a huge improvement from prior restrictions.

OPERATIONS: Charters do not receive a blanket waiver from state and local laws, but depending on the authorizer or the longevity of the school there may be more flexibility. The state has layered the authorizing and school operations climate, however with hundreds of compliance requirements that often results in an environment where schools have far less autonomy than the law prescribes. Virtual charter schools have enrollment limits based on the local district school enrollment. 

EQUITY: Charters are funded by a combination of several different sources: per-pupil district dollars, opportunity grant funding, K-3 and special education funding, and a formula based on economically disadvantaged, ESL, and career technology funding. A 2021 bill that was passed requires the state to directly fund charter schools. 

Traditional districts are allowed by law to levy local taxes for charter schools authorized by “exemplary” authorizers A 2019 law provided an additional $30 million in supplemental state aid for high-performing charters. Schools also receive an additional $1,750 per pupil for economically disadvantaged students and $1,000 for non-disadvantaged students. Districts are to provide transportation for charter students. Charter schools are also entitled to some level of per-pupil facilities funding. While the amount of funding has increased in recent years (especially for high-performing schools) it is still inequitable when compared to what traditional public schools receive.

Learn More:

Ohio Charter School Law

Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools

Choice Programs (Scholarships, Vouchers, Tax Credits, etc.)

Score:

88%

Grade:

B

Rank:

#4

The Buckeye state has eight educational choice programs that help parents meet their students’ needs, including the state’s pioneering voucher program which went all the way to the Supreme Court in 2002.  A budget bill in July 2021 authorized the Afterschool Child Enrichment, the (ACE) Education Savings Account, and expanded the K-12 Nonchartered Private School Tax Credit, the K-12 Home Education Tax Credit, and the Ohio Tax Credit Scholarship Program. Now it’s time to expand the state’s first voucher program to apply to all families, which like Arizona’s model would not only streamline this complex array of benefits but more directly improve opportunities for all.

Fast Facts:

Law enacted: 1995-2013

Number of programs: 6

Statewide Participation: 73,869

Types of programs: Voucher

Choice Laws & Analysis:

Voucher
Educational Choice Scholarship Program
Ohio’s “EdChoice” scholarship program was enacted in 2005 and provides private school vouchers to K–12 students who are assigned to “low-performing” public schools. Participating private schools are required to accept the voucher as full tuition for students whose families are at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level.

A massive budget bill passed in 2021 increases the EdChoice Scholarship amounts to $5,500 per pupil (from $4,650) in grades K-8 and $7,500 per pupil (from $6,000) in grades 9-12. It also expands performance-based eligibility to include siblings of current scholarship students, students in foster and kinship care, and students entering 9th grade; eliminates the cap (currently 60,000) on the number of scholarships that may be awarded; and directly funds the EdChoice scholarship program  (prior law required funding to go through resident districts).

Voucher
Income-Based Scholarship Program
Ohio enacted its Income-Based Scholarship Program in 2013 as an expansion of the EdChoice program. It provides private school vouchers to all eligible K-6 students from low- and lower-middle-income households, not exceeding 200 percent of the federal poverty level. These school voucher amounts vary depending on family income. Beginning with the 2020-21 school year, it expands to all K-12 income-eligible students.

Voucher
Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Program
The Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship was enacted in 2011 and began serving students in 2012. The program provides students with disabilities school vouchers for private tuition and other educational services. The Ohio Department of Education sets school voucher limits for different types of disabilities. In 2021 the value of scholarships per student increased from $6,020 up to $6,217 for FY 2022 and $6,414 for FY 2023.

Voucher
Autism Scholarship Program
Ohio Autism Scholarship Program, the nation’s only private school choice program designed for students specifically with autism, was enacted in 2003 and began in 2004. The program offers reimbursement vouchers to students with autism who receive private educational services, including private schooling. In 2021 the maximum scholarship amount per student was increased for the Autism Scholarship Program from $27,000 to $31,500, for FY 2022, and $32,455, for FY 2023 and thereafter.

Voucher
Cleveland Scholarship Program
Ohio’s Cleveland Scholarship Program was enacted in 1995 and launched in 1996. Through this program, students who attend the Cleveland Metropolitan School District can receive vouchers to attend neighboring public schools or private schools.The 2021 budget bill Increases Cleveland Scholarships to $5,500 per pupil (from $4,650) in grades K-8 and $7,500 per pupil (from $6,000) in grades 9-12 and directly funds the program (prior law required funding to go through resident districts).

Education Savings Account
ACE Educational Savings Account
The Ohio Afterschool Child Enrichment (Ohio ACE) program –  launched in April 2022 –  will allow eligible families to apply for a $500 account for each of their K-12 children to help families pay for a variety of necessary educational services, including summer, before-school and after-school activities.  Ohio students ages 6-18 whose family income is less than 300% of the Federal Poverty Level are eligible for the $500 credit. Parents and guardians may select enrichment and educational activities from approved service providers in the ACE Marketplace or request that a service provider be approved and added to the marketplace.

Individual Tax Credit/Deduction
K-12 Nonchartered Private School
Additionally, the state provides a tax credit of up to $500 for families with a total annual household income of less than $50,000 for tuition paid for one or more dependents to attend a nonchartered private school. For families with a total annual household income that is between $50,000 and $100,000, the tax credit is worth up to $1,000.

Individual Tax Credit/Deduction
K-12 Home Education Tax Credit
Parents can access a nonrefundable tax credit of up to $250 for qualifying home education expenses, including books, supplementary materials, supplies, computer software, applications or subscriptions.

Tax Credit Scholarship
Ohio Tax Credit Scholarship Program
Creates a tax-credit scholarship program. Under this new policy, Ohioans can receive a non-refundable tax credit of up to $750 for contributions to a non-profit that awards scholarships to K–12 students.

Learn More:

EdChoice Analysis on Ohio

Federation for Children Choice Program Information

2019 ALEC Report Card on American Education

Teacher Quality

Score:

76%

Grade:

C

Rank:

#12

Elementary teacher preparation programs do not require content knowledge tests; the state requires Cleveland Public Schools to adopt a performance pay system based on teacher effectiveness.

TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT: 76%
General Teacher Preparation 72%
Elementary Teacher Preparation 72%
Secondary Teacher Preparation 85%
Special Education Teacher Preparation 68%
Alternate Routes 85%  

STAFFING AND SUPPORT: 76%
Hiring 80%
Retaining Effective Teachers 71%

TEACHER EVALUATION: 80%

TEACHER COMPENSATION: 72%

Learn More:

National Council for Teacher Quality State Teacher Policy Database

Digital & Personalized Learning

Digital Learning:

Score:

75%

Grade:

C

Rank:

#21

In 2019, Ohio approved the Ohio Digital Learning School to begin accepting students for the 2020-2021 school year. ODLS is authorized by the Ohio Council of Community Schools, and is a free online public charter school. ODLS offers credit recovery courses, uses Individualized Career Plans, and allows high school students to take college credit through the College Credit Plus Program.

The state also permits online or cyber charter schools which have played a huge role in expanding options in the state.  There are digital learning standards for students. INFOhio is the states’ Digital Learning Library that provides robust digital tools, resources and training. Educators can take professional development training and gain certifications through INFOhio, or receive credit through Ashland University. For more information on Ohio DOE’s digital learning and teaching resources, click here. 

Ohio has six school districts that are members of the Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools, expanding digital learning opportunities for approximately 50,000 students in the state. The League of Innovative Schools is a network of school leaders in 114 districts in 34 states that aim to enhance and scale digital learning opportunities for students across the nation. 

Before the pandemic, according to the 2019 Associated Press on census data, among “all households in 49 central Ohio districts, just over 17% lack broadband access, and almost 10% don’t have access to a computer.” The state has worked long before the switch to remote learning in 2020 to address these issues, including the City of Columbus giving popular places around the city free indoor and outdoor wifi, and districts distributing devices and  hotspots to students to be able to do their homework. 

Bandwidth: 97.2% of students in Ohio can access the Internet at speeds of 100 kbps per student, and many students are connected at higher speeds. But there is still work to be done. 44,162 students still need more bandwidth for digital learning.

Personalized Learning:

Ohio’s Innovative Education Pilot Program gives flexibility to schools to request waivers from certain statutory regulations and promote student centered learning. 

On the district level, Forest Hills School District and Mason City School District both stand out for their personalized learning approaches. Forest Hills School District has PL instructional coaches working with teachers across the district to implement blended learning, problem based learning, flipped classrooms, and balanced assessment models. Mason City School District incorporates Personalized Learning Days into their calendar, allowing students to engage in projects based on their interests and career aspirations.

Learn More:

Ohio Digital Learning School

INFOhio

Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools

Ohio’s Innovative Education Pilot Program

COVID-19 Response

Schools initially closed March 17th and remained closed the rest of the 2019-20 school year. Ohio did not require remote learning for students in response to the COVID-19 crisis, and provided only a very limited amount of support to schools and teachers developing plans for students and parents trying to continue with learning. The information is contained in a pdf posted online.

Reopening guidelines for the 2020-21 school year were more thorough, and the Ohio Reset and Restart plan allows for districts to best decide when to open for in-person instruction. When the school year began, districts in Ohio were offering in-person, hybrid, and online-only learning.

Fast Facts

4th Grade Math Proficiency:

40%

8th Grade Math Proficiency:

29%

12th Grade Math Proficiency:

24% (nat'l average)

4th Grade Reading Proficiency:

35%

8th Grade Reading Proficiency:

33%

12th Grade Reading Proficiency:

37% (nat'l average)

Graduation Rate:

82%

Average SAT Score:

1053/1600

Average ACT Score:

19.4/36

Public School Enrollment:

1,652,778

Percent Enrolled in Charter Schools:

6.3%

Average Student Funding:

$13,805.00
Digital & Personalized Learning
Digital Learning:

Score:

75%

Grade:

C

Rank:

#21

In 2019, Ohio approved the Ohio Digital Learning School to begin accepting students for the 2020-2021 school year. ODLS is authorized by the Ohio Council of Community Schools, and is a free online public charter school. ODLS offers credit recovery courses, uses Individualized Career Plans, and allows high school students to take college credit through the College Credit Plus Program.

The state also permits online or cyber charter schools which have played a huge role in expanding options in the state.  There are digital learning standards for students. INFOhio is the states’ Digital Learning Library that provides robust digital tools, resources and training. Educators can take professional development training and gain certifications through INFOhio, or receive credit through Ashland University. For more information on Ohio DOE’s digital learning and teaching resources, click here. 

Ohio has six school districts that are members of the Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools, expanding digital learning opportunities for approximately 50,000 students in the state. The League of Innovative Schools is a network of school leaders in 114 districts in 34 states that aim to enhance and scale digital learning opportunities for students across the nation. 

Before the pandemic, according to the 2019 Associated Press on census data, among “all households in 49 central Ohio districts, just over 17% lack broadband access, and almost 10% don’t have access to a computer.” The state has worked long before the switch to remote learning in 2020 to address these issues, including the City of Columbus giving popular places around the city free indoor and outdoor wifi, and districts distributing devices and  hotspots to students to be able to do their homework. 

Bandwidth: 97.2% of students in Ohio can access the Internet at speeds of 100 kbps per student, and many students are connected at higher speeds. But there is still work to be done. 44,162 students still need more bandwidth for digital learning.

Personalized Learning:

Ohio’s Innovative Education Pilot Program gives flexibility to schools to request waivers from certain statutory regulations and promote student centered learning. 

On the district level, Forest Hills School District and Mason City School District both stand out for their personalized learning approaches. Forest Hills School District has PL instructional coaches working with teachers across the district to implement blended learning, problem based learning, flipped classrooms, and balanced assessment models. Mason City School District incorporates Personalized Learning Days into their calendar, allowing students to engage in projects based on their interests and career aspirations.

Learn More:

Ohio Digital Learning School

INFOhio

Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools

Ohio’s Innovative Education Pilot Program

COVID-19 Response

Schools initially closed March 17th and remained closed the rest of the 2019-20 school year. Ohio did not require remote learning for students in response to the COVID-19 crisis, and provided only a very limited amount of support to schools and teachers developing plans for students and parents trying to continue with learning. The information is contained in a pdf posted online.

Reopening guidelines for the 2020-21 school year were more thorough, and the Ohio Reset and Restart plan allows for districts to best decide when to open for in-person instruction. When the school year began, districts in Ohio were offering in-person, hybrid, and online-only learning.

Fast Facts

4th Grade Math Proficiency:

40%

8th Grade Math Proficiency:

29%

12th Grade Math Proficiency:

24% (nat’l average)

4th Grade Reading Proficiency:

35%

8th Grade Reading Proficiency:

33%

12th Grade Reading Proficiency:

37% (nat’l average)

Graduation Rate:

82%

Average SAT Score:

1053/1600

Average ACT Score:

19.4/36

Public School Enrollment:

1,652,778

Percent Enrolled in Charter Schools:

6.3%

Average Student Funding:

$13,805.00

Leadership

Your governor:

Mike DeWine (R)

First term began in 2019 (two-term limit)

Governor Mike DeWine is a supporter of parent power but needs to throw caution to the wind and expand on Ohio’s already rich history of education innovation.  He has a trifecta with the legislator and should move the needle as much as possible.  Nothing is stopping Ohio from being at the top of the list. With a few key legislative initiatives the Buckeye State could lead the nation in parent power.

State Legislature:

Both the House and Senate, which are run by Republicans – like the governor – are generally pro-education reform, but there is a lot of disagreement between the chambers on what that means. The Senate is often at odds with the House on measures that would best serve parents’ interests. Changes to the voucher system didn’t happen in the 2020 session due to COVID, so we are hoping they come back with expansions and opportunities available for all Ohio families.

Constitutional Issues

Ohio’s Constitution, while having no Blaine Amendment, was reviewed by the US Supreme Court, which upheld the Cleveland Scholarship program in Zelman v Simmons-Harris in 2002. Since then, Ohio educational choice programs have continued to be litigated – and upheld. 

Learn More:

Institute for Justice: Ohio School Choice and State Constitution

Transparency

School and district report cards are very easy to find on Ohio’s DOE website under the Topics subheading. The report card dashboard is extremely easy to read and navigate, with each section having a summative rating based on performance measures. Users can explore detailed data in each measure by clicking through different tabs. Data is complete and relevant, including information on student achievement,student progress, gap closing, graduation rate, improving at- risk readers, and how well students are prepared for a successful future. Educational options are also highlighted on the main page.

School board elections are during the general election cycle, which gives parents more power in their decision making because of higher voter turnout.

Leadership
Your governor:

Mike DeWine (R)

First term began in 2019 (two-term limit)

Governor Mike DeWine is a supporter of parent power but needs to throw caution to the wind and expand on Ohio’s already rich history of education innovation.  He has a trifecta with the legislator and should move the needle as much as possible.  Nothing is stopping Ohio from being at the top of the list. With a few key legislative initiatives the Buckeye State could lead the nation in parent power.

State Legislature:

Both the House and Senate, which are run by Republicans – like the governor – are generally pro-education reform, but there is a lot of disagreement between the chambers on what that means. The Senate is often at odds with the House on measures that would best serve parents’ interests. Changes to the voucher system didn’t happen in the 2020 session due to COVID, so we are hoping they come back with expansions and opportunities available for all Ohio families.

Constitutional Issues

Ohio’s Constitution, while having no Blaine Amendment, was reviewed by the US Supreme Court, which upheld the Cleveland Scholarship program in Zelman v Simmons-Harris in 2002. Since then, Ohio educational choice programs have continued to be litigated – and upheld. 

Learn More:

Institute for Justice: Ohio School Choice and State Constitution

Transparency

School and district report cards are very easy to find on Ohio’s DOE website under the Topics subheading. The report card dashboard is extremely easy to read and navigate, with each section having a summative rating based on performance measures. Users can explore detailed data in each measure by clicking through different tabs. Data is complete and relevant, including information on student achievement,student progress, gap closing, graduation rate, improving at- risk readers, and how well students are prepared for a successful future. Educational options are also highlighted on the main page.

School board elections are during the general election cycle, which gives parents more power in their decision making because of higher voter turnout.

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Charter Schools

Charter schools are public schools, open by choice, free from most rules and regulations that hamper traditional public schools and held accountable for results.

Since 1991, when charter schools were first established in Minnesota, the principle has remained the same — increased operational autonomy in exchange for increased accountability for outcomes. This freedom to innovate allows academically excellent charter schools to flourish.

As of 2020, there were more than 7,300 charter schools across the country with more than 3.3 million students, with demand higher everywhere they are located. Forty-six states, including Washington, D.C. have charter school laws. West Virginia enacted the most recent law in 2019. All charter laws are not created equal, however, and in fact, many are so flawed that they allow for only minimal opportunity for parents. PPI draws from CER’s newest Charter School Law Rankings and Scorecard, produced in the summer of 2020. For the US as a whole, the glass is more empty than full when it comes to meaningful charter choices.

Since 1996, CER has researched, analyzed, and ranked charter school laws, taking the content of each law into consideration as well as how it impacts charter schools on the ground. This Parent Power Index looks at four main areas of each state’s law:

If it allows for multiple authorizers, and if applicants have the ability to appeal a denial; whether it allows for growth, particularly with no caps on number of schools or enrollment; if schools and teachers have freedom to innovate; and if there is equitable funding of schools, including for facilities and transportation.

Charter schools are the most analyzed public school reform in decades. Since 1996, CER has studied their impact, their environment, and their practice and made recommendations for how to improve each law. The Parent Power Index charter score is based on whether the law allows for freedom and flexibility that can ensure parents, teachers and the general public are able to build vibrant, successful charter schools without undue interference from flawed state regulators, with equitable funding and parents in the driver’s seat. More about how this works can be found in CER publications, most notably Charting a New Course and The Future of School.

In addition, past rankings document how states have grown or confined charter schools and what best practices should be followed. Finally CER has provided a model charter school law for policymakers that is the standard bearer for advocates who believe that parents, not systems, should drive education.

Choice Programs

Educational choice is best defined as the availability of a multitude of public programs that provide parents with the ability to include private and religious entities – schools, tutoring, and other organizations – in their choices. Those programs are enacted at the state level, allowing in a wide variety of ways that the funds allocated for education in a state either follow the student to the institution the parent chooses or, as in the case of tax credits, public funds are redistributed to support the choices parents make, rather than automatically going to government based school districts.

These options are often referred to as scholarship programs, vouchers, tax credits, education accounts and more.

The existence of a higher degree of educational choice in a community or state, particularly for lower income students, has been found to be a significant factor in improving education and ensuring all students have access to the best school that meets their individual needs. Where once private options were only available to the more advantaged, most choice programs today ensure that those without resources have the power to shape their student’s education and invest in their future.

PPI 2020 assesses the extent to which every state gives families better and more abundant educational options through various mechanisms. Choice programs are analyzed and evaluated on their potential to reach all children across a state and for the degree to which they can actually support the full choice of parents, as opposed to only providing a modest amount of financial support. Programs where a significant population of parents can obtain scholarships or vouchers to send their children to the school of their choice score higher than those that have limitations based on geography, income, and student eligibility constraints.

To determine scores, PPI relies on well-established organizations which study, advance and support such programs. The scores were developed with this lens, and on information and ratings from EdChoice’s School Choice in America Dashboard, American Legislative Exchange Council’s Report Card on American Education: 23rd Edition, and American Federation for Children’s School Choice Interactive Map.

Teacher Quality

Teacher Quality is an equally important facet of ensuring greater educational opportunity. There is a direct correlation between quality teachers and student achievement, and teachers have the power to foster highly effective learning environments and leave a lasting impact on the future of their students. State teacher policies are critical in ensuring that students have the opportunity to receive the best education possible. Without schools full of well-prepared teachers who are held accountable either directly to the parent or to taxpayers for student achievement, opportunity can be meaningless. Most states vary widely in the criteria used to train, hire, retain, evaluate, reward and advance teachers, and local rules also influence that criteria greatly, as do teachers unions. PPI looked again to the expert analysis of the National Council of Teacher Quality, and from several aspects of their work PPI extrapolated final teacher quality scores. (NCTQ does not grade each state.)

Relying solely on the rich data collected from the National Council on Teacher Quality, states are measured by across a wide range of policy categories: Training and Recruitment, Staffing and Support, Evaluation, and Compensation. The score is by no means comprehensive about teacher quality across every community and state, but it is based on the extent to which states rigorously expect, manage and measure different aspects of teacher training, hiring, evaluation and compensation. States score higher when they have strong, data-driven, performance-based accountability systems that ensure teachers are rewarded, retained, and advanced based on their effectiveness. Likewise, states that establish rigorous teacher preparation programs and offer alternative licensing programs earn higher scores.

For more information about the Teacher Quality landscape, please see the National Council on Teacher Quality’s detailed analysis in their State Teacher Policy Database.

Innovation

States are measured on their increasing commitment to and practice of innovative approaches to education that include digital learning models and pathways, full or in part, encouraging personalized learning through focus on competency and mastery – even on a pilot level – or by allowing flexibility in schools and school districts that want to do it. Personalized learning models value mastery of material over traditional subject matter time tests, and competency over end of course grades. While these practices are best decided locally, closest to the student, states can motivate, incentivize, fund, discourage or encourage.

To determine scores, the PPI drew heavily from ExcelinEd’s 2019 State Progress Toward Next Generation Learning, Aurora Institute’s 2020 Future-Focused State Policy Actions to Transform K-12 Education, and KnowledgeWorks’ 2019 State Policy Framework for Personalized Learning.

COVID-19 Response

When COVID-19 reached our shores in early 2020, states were forced to close their schools for in-person instruction. Whether and how to continue teaching and set expectations for continued learning outside of the classroom was a big debate. Many states and schools quickly pivoted to delivering education remotely, either through technology enabled tools or with low-tech paper packets and phone calls, or a combination of both. The response from schools and school districts varied widely, with some being willing to adapt and some actually discouraging both teaching and learning. CER tracked those responses (and continues to do so, given the fluidity of the situation). States that were encouraging, set expectations, and demanded that schools figure out whatever they could to keep moving students forward, tended to have more schools and districts that responded well and worked to deliver education regardless of challenges. Many states that had digital or virtual learning programs in place were able to make a more seamless shift. Innovative leaders at local and state levels rose to the occasion. But many states and localities dragged their feet and, in some cases, outright discouraged schooling to keep going, including forbidding teachers in some areas to be required to do any face to face teaching via technology.

States were evaluated based on reviewing their official notices and declarations, and by reviewing a broad array of surveys and data many groups have been maintaining. This score also factors in states’ prior commitments to expanding broadband and internet access and how they worked to provide devices to keep students learning and engaged.

What was, and is, a challenging and unprecedented time for schools, teachers, and parents was also an opportunity to look at states’ and schools’ abilities to adapt, be flexible, and innovate.

For more on Education Innovation, check out the CER ACTION Series:

  • Virtual Events & Videos
  • Key Data
  • Resources
  • Publications

Leadership

Improving education opportunity and innovation requires leaders who boldly and courageously push forward to create or expand successful programs that allow a wide variety of educational choice and individualized programs to thrive. Governors and state legislators are the most important entities in each state to pave the way, or deter, expanded parent power. Some leaders pay lip service to issues, while others wake up with a fire in their belly to ensure that they are doing what they can every day to push through conventional wisdom and demand 21st century schooling opportunities for all students.

Whether or not your governor is the bold, fire-in-the-belly kind, or a passive applauder of others’ efforts, is evaluated to help you push or prod or applaud. PPI looks at their positions AND actions on charter schools, choice programs, innovation, and commitment to increasing educational opportunities for all students at every level and summarizes it for you here. You have the power to elect leaders who prioritize parents and students!

Constitutional Issues

The ability for states to enact educational change can be significantly limited depending on certain provisions in state constitutions.

The most common clause that limits educational opportunity in most states are “Blaine Amendments” – named after 19th century Congressman James Blaine nearly 150 years ago. Historically, these provisions in 37 state constitutions were either interpreted to restrict educational choice programs that include private schools or have been a deterrent for many programs being considered, let alone enacted.

This issue received a great deal of press leading up to and following the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 30, 2020 decision in the case of Espinoza vs Montana Department of Revenue, a case that dealt with Montana’s Blaine Amendment. That landmark decision found that the U.S. Constitution “forbids states from excluding religious schools as options for families participating in educational choice programs, including through Blaine Amendments.”

As a result, most states have a new path to enact programs that provide options for families, including religious schools. Their individual versions of Blaine Amendments can either be nullified with attorney generals’ opinions, with legislation or with both. Additional restrictions on expanded opportunity are often dedicated by what is called a Compelled Support Clause where dated constitutional language restricts public funding to government entities.

We look at each state’s particular constitutional issues, utilizing a number of sources, CER attorney analysis and the Institute for Justice’s research as our guide. Additional information about Espinoza and Blaine Amendments can be found here.

In addition, if states have other constitutional barriers to more opportunity, they are evaluated in this area.

Transparency

Transparency is a key element of providing great opportunities for students. Every parent needs and deserves full transparency of school-level data to allow them to make informed decisions and drive changes in how their students are educated. School report cards empower parents in their decision making by giving them access to meaningful and quality education data about a particular school or district. Report cards often provide information on student performance, student growth, attendance, graduation rates, demographics, teacher quality, school environment, assessments, and more. States that have greater transparency and accountability provide the public with data that is current, readily available, and easy to understand.

States are measured based on the transparency and accessibility of data for the average person looking to learn about their child’s school. States have more gas in the tank when school report cards are easily accessible from their state DOE homepage; report cards are comprehensive, user-friendly, and easy to understand; and information about educational options are readily available. Additionally, states score higher when they hold School Board Elections during the General Election cycle, as opposed to off-times of the year when turnout is low, because this tends to afford parents more power in their decision-making.