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Small win for charter school families in Columbus
After weeks of legal wrangling, Columbus City Schools announced on Wednesday that it would begin providing busing for 120 choice-using students whose declaration of “impractical to transport” is under mediation. Their service will finally start up (two months after the start of the school year) on Monday. However, district officials also issued a pretty clear warning that adding these kids to routes will definitely cause problems for other students already riding those buses. Translation: If your bus is late, it’s because of these school-choice students. Accel Schools’ Jarod Hawk told ABC 6 News that “We have had families who have lost their jobs because they have had to figure out transportation. That’s the biggest impact. We continue to have families that have exhausted their resources.” Here’s hoping that some of those families’ lives get a little simpler come Monday. Meanwhile, the district also responded to the Ohio Attorney General’s lawsuit in the matter with a motion to dismiss, arguing that it has “no legal merit”.
More parent voices
The Thomas B. Fordham Institute, in partnership with 50CAN and Edge Research, this week released the results of a parent survey on the topic of educational opportunity. Among the many important insights, the survey finds that Ohio’s investments in school choice have made an impact for parents. More than two-thirds of parents statewide believe they have a choice in schools for their children, and this is especially true of low-income parents. Even better: Two-thirds of parents if they had the opportunity would choose the same school again. The findings provide not only a unique window into the opportunities available to families in our state right now but allow us to compare those answers to parents across our region and across the country.
Great news from Iowa
While Great Oaks High School and Career Center in Des Moines has been serving students since August, the official ribbon cutting ceremony had to wait until last week, but the wait was worth it. Iowa governor Kim Reynolds attended the event, along with community leaders and school families. “I could just tell from that first meeting that this was going to happen, that this was a partnership that was meant to be, and we were going to do everything that we could to make sure that we make that happen,” she said as part of her remarks. Great Oaks (affiliated with Ohio’s Oakmont Education) is the first school of its kind in Iowa, creating personalized education plans that helps students get back on track to finish high school and secure a career after graduation.
The view from West Virginia
Last week, West Virginia House Bill 227 passed out of the House Education Committee on a vote of 12 to 6. It would, among other things, allow charter schools to apply to the state School Building Authority for funding to help purchase a new building. The bill next heads to the House floor for a vote, which could happen next week as the second special legislative session of 2024 winds down.
You’re invited!
On Thursday, October 17, Senior Research Fellow for the Thomas B. Fordham Institute and professor at The Ohio State University, Stéphane Lavertu, will be presenting his analysis about the impacts of Ohio’s Quality Community School Support Fund. Has the additional funding helped to strengthen charter schools’ instructional staff and improve student learning? Or has the program fallen short? Join us at the Athletic Club of Columbus to find out. Doors open at 8:30 am – with a light breakfast available – and the program begins at 9:00 am. More info and a registration link can be found here.
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