private school vouchers
‘Legacy of neglect’ showcased in Ohio schools report
A report from an Ohio think tank examined the new budget changes and private school voucher impacts on public schools over the last year. Research from Policy Matters Ohio said divestments from public schools at the state level “hurt public school students everywhere – especially those in rural counties.” Furthering study of the impact the […]
On education vouchers and faith-based leadership, Ohio might learn something from Texas
You read that headline correctly. It may come as a shock to readers to know that with all the issues confronting Ohio, it hasn’t been listed in recent surveys as the worst place to live and work. That honor, according to a new CNBC survey, goes to Texas. The survey methodology targeted a range of […]
Vouchers awards public Ohio tax dollars to discriminatory private religious schools
Public financing of parochial school prejudice is the law in Ohio. Take a minute to process, I’ll wait. The state has opened its coffers to Catholic schools that discriminate. The overwhelming amount of Ohio’s voucher money — free taxpayer money to offset private and religious school tuition — goes to Catholic schools. The Catholic Diocese […]
Ohio Senate’s private school voucher expansion unsurprisingly divides parents
The Ohio Senate’s proposed expansion of private school vouchers has unsurprisingly divided parents across the state. Parents want what is best for their kids. “Having that private education is important, especially ours is focused on our faith,” Lynette Haehn said. For the mother of three, the Senate budget couldn’t have come at a better time. […]
How will an expansion of school vouchers impact Ohio public school funding? Answer is ‘speculative’
As Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine wants to expand the state’s school voucher program, the future of fair funding for Ohio’s public schools has become a weighty topic. State Rep. Tracy Richardson, R-Marysville and chair of the subcommittee on primary and secondary education committee, asked about that very thing Tuesday morning — how the proposed expansion […]
‘Backpack bill’ disingenuous play for tax dollars
If there’s one thing Ohio taxpayers hate – other than paying taxes – it’s being ripped off by disingenuous ideologues in the statehouse. You’re not going to like what a pair of legislators are itching to do with your tax money that pays for public schools. They want to divert a ton of it to […]
‘Backpack Bill’ sponsors seek way forward under new funding formula
The sponsors of a bill that would promote the use of private school vouchers and “school choice” came together on Wednesday with a religious lobby group to bring the bill back up. House Bill 290 was originally introduced in May as a “legislative intent” bill aiming to allow students to have the funding they need […]
Two bills seek to address unconstitutional public school funding before year’s end
Running parallel to a House Bill in the works for years, Ohio state senators have introduced a similar proposal to equalize the public school budget formula and set up the next General Assembly with a “blueprint” for a funding overhaul. In a virtual press conference on Friday, state Sen. Peggy Lehner, R-Kettering, and Sen. Vernon […]
Private school vouchers could still grow in Ohio, even with a freeze
Last week, Ohio’s legislature passed their COVID-19 emergency package. And while there were some much needed and positive things in it (no standardized tests this year, no report cards), the bill also settled the contentious debate over what to do with next year’s EdChoice performance-based voucher program. A bit of background: Next year, due to legislative changes, […]
Senate begrudgingly agrees to House’s EdChoice delay
After nearly a full week of debate and back and forth, the Ohio Senate decided to agree to a 60-day delay for the private school voucher education program, with the hope of a better plan as a result. “I have to vote yes because I can not in clear conscience at midnight tonight… allow those […]
House pushes back EdChoice application date, sends amendment back to Senate
It was the Ohio House of Representatives’ turn to work late into the night on a proposal to rework the state’s private school voucher program Thursday. After a long day of debate, the House decided to opt for more time. State representatives convened at about 9 p.m. to pass an amendment to Senate Bill 120, […]
House disagrees on EdChoice amendments, bill heads to conference committee
Update 1/29 9:10 p.m. — The conference committee discussing the private school voucher program EdChoice has left the statehouse for the evening. House Speaker Larry Householder, R-Glenford, said in a statement Wednesday night that representatives have set forth a plan to replace EdChoice with an “entirely poverty-based” system. “It would allow schools — public and […]