- Opportunity
- Innovation
- Policy Environment
Score:
72%
Grade:
C
Rank:
#25
Because of the state’s many failing school districts, charter schools were quick to provide options for kids most in need. They grew quickly, the state expanded authorizing and a small but loud number of bad apples attracted national attention, causing serious rollbacks in charter autonomy, even among great schools. The state is finally beginning to rebound from a difficult period but challenges still abound.
Law passed: 1997
Most recently amended: 2019
Number of charter schools: 320
Number of charter students: 102,563
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.
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.
Score:
Grade:
C
Rank:
#6
Five educational choice programs, including the state’s pioneering program which went all the way to the Supreme Court, together served just under 74,000 students in the 2020-2021 school year. A massive budget bill passed in July 2021 increased opportunities for thousands of students across the state by expanding existing programs and establishing the The Afterschool Child Enrichment (ACE) Education Savings Account.
Law enacted: 1995-2013
Number of programs: 6
Statewide Participation: 73,869
Types of programs: Voucher
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 Afterschool Child Enrichment (ACE) Educational Savings Account Program will use $125 million in federal relief COVID funds to provide families $500 for education expenses for students with income levels below 300% of the federal poverty level.
Score:
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%
Score:
72%
Grade:
C
Rank:
#25
Because of the state’s many failing school districts, charter schools were quick to provide options for kids most in need. They grew quickly, the state expanded authorizing and a small but loud number of bad apples attracted national attention, causing serious rollbacks in charter autonomy, even among great schools. The state is finally beginning to rebound from a difficult period but challenges still abound.
Law passed: 1997
Most recently amended: 2019
Number of charter schools: 320
Number of charter students: 102,563
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.
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.
Score:
Grade:
C
Rank:
#6
Five educational choice programs, including the state’s pioneering program which went all the way to the Supreme Court, together served just under 74,000 students in the 2020-2021 school year. A massive budget bill passed in July 2021 increased opportunities for thousands of students across the state by expanding existing programs and establishing the The Afterschool Child Enrichment (ACE) Education Savings Account.
Law enacted: 1995-2013
Number of programs: 6
Statewide Participation: 73,869
Types of programs: Voucher
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 Afterschool Child Enrichment (ACE) Educational Savings Account Program will use $125 million in federal relief COVID funds to provide families $500 for education expenses for students with income levels below 300% of the federal poverty level.
Score:
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%
Score:
Grade:
C
Rank:
#32
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.
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.
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:
8th Grade Math Proficiency:
12th Grade Math Proficiency:
4th Grade Reading Proficiency:
8th Grade Reading Proficiency:
12th Grade Reading Proficiency:
Graduation Rate:
Average SAT Score:
Average ACT Score:
Public School Enrollment:
Percent Enrolled in Charter Schools:
Average Student Funding:
Score:
Grade:
C
Rank:
#32
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.
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.
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.
4th Grade Math Proficiency:
8th Grade Math Proficiency:
12th Grade Math Proficiency:
4th Grade Reading Proficiency:
8th Grade Reading Proficiency:
12th Grade Reading Proficiency:
Graduation Rate:
Average SAT Score:
Average ACT Score:
Public School Enrollment:
Percent Enrolled in Charter Schools:
Average Student Funding:
Mike DeWine (R)
First term began in 2019 (two-term limit)
Governor Mike DeWine is a supporter of parent power but he has been cautious in fully supporting attempts to expand education opportunities and innovation. He has called for tighter restrictions on charter schools and only modestly backs expanded vouchers limited to low-income kids. He did act swiftly to ensure that schools – students and teachers – had what they needed to continue instructing students post-Covid.
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.
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.
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.
Mike DeWine (R)
First term began in 2019 (two-term limit)
Governor Mike DeWine is a supporter of parent power but he has been cautious in fully supporting attempts to expand education opportunities and innovation. He has called for tighter restrictions on charter schools and only modestly backs expanded vouchers limited to low-income kids. He did act swiftly to ensure that schools – students and teachers – had what they needed to continue instructing students post-Covid.
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.
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.
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.