Today, the Ohio General Assembly passed House Bill 33, the state’s biennial budget bill for FYs 2024–25. The legislation contains numerous provisions that strengthen K–12 education, among which include:
- Strengthens funding for Ohio’s public charter schools. The budget significantly increases funding for high-quality charters, while also creating a new funding supplement for all brick-and-mortar charters. Historically, charters have been funded at just 70 percent of districts’ overall funding. Through this budget, the average charter will receive approximately 85 percent of district funding; high-quality charters, roughly 90 percent.
- Expands private-school choice to all Ohio families. All parents will now be eligible for the state’s EdChoice scholarship. Full scholarship amounts will apply when households earn 450% or less of the federal poverty level; above that threshold, amounts are smaller.
- Increases accountability for the state education agency through much-needed governance reforms. These include making the agency director a gubernatorial appointee, reducing the role of the state board of education, and increasing the emphasis on workforce initiatives.
- Ensures that schools use high-quality literacy curricula. The budget requires schools to adopt practices aligned with the science of reading—an approach that stresses phonics and other key elements of effective literacy instruction. It also sets aside millions in funding to support curricula overhauls and professional development.
“State lawmakers have taken historical strides forward to empower families and improve schools,” said Aaron Churchill, Ohio Research Director for the Thomas B. Fordham Institute. “With this budget in place, Ohio parents will have more quality educational options within their reach, be they district schools, public charter schools, or private schools. When parents are engaged and able to access schools aligned with their needs and expectations, children reap the benefits.”
As for the governance and literacy components, Churchill added, “Through a bold overhaul of the department of education and strong literacy reforms, the legislature has laid the groundwork for higher student achievement. More coherent leadership at the state level will promote rigorous implementation of policies that aim to improve education. The budget’s literacy initiatives will ensure that all children—no matter where they attend school—learn to read using proven, effective instructional methods.”
Governor DeWine is expected to sign the final budget bill shortly.
