What Drives Our Research
Fordham Ohio advocates for policies that advance educational excellence for all Ohio students. High-quality research and analysis—conducted in-house and by external researchers and experts—helps us advance that goal by framing key issues with sound data.
Ohio Education By the Numbers
The Thomas B. Fordham Institute is pleased to present Ohio Education By The Numbers, which is an impartial, fact-based overview of K–12 education in the Buckeye State. We hope these data will inform conversations about improving education throughout the state.
The Impact of Ohio Charter Schools on Student Outcomes, 2016–19
Since the first Ohio charter schools opened in 1998, they’ve regularly been subject to intense scrutiny. Detractors have criticized their academic performance, while advocates have pointed to bright spots within the sector. The competing narratives often give policymakers and the public mixed signals about the performance of these independently-run public schools that today educate just over 100,000 Ohio students.
2020 Fordham Sponsorship Annual Report
The 2019–20 Fordham Sponsorship Annual Report provides insight into our sponsorship work during the year and the performance of our sponsored schools.
Default Settings: How Ohio can nudge teachers toward a more secure retirement
Though not widely known, Ohio teachers have three retirement options: a traditional pension plan, a 401(k)-style defined contribution plan, and a hybrid plan that combines features of both.
The Impact of Ohio Charter Schools on Student Outcomes, 2016–19
Since the first Ohio charter schools opened in 1998, they’ve regularly been subject to intense scrutiny.
Resetting school accountability, from the bottom up
After a one-year pause in Ohio's school accountability system, the road back to normalcy is uncertain. Fordham's new policy brief titled Resetting school accountability, from the bottom up offers a clear and concise plan to restart state assessments and school report cards.
Ohio Education By the Numbers—2020 Edition
Now in its fourth edition and fully updated for 2020, Ohio Education by the Numbers Education is a look at vital statistics about Ohio’s schools and the students they serve. We intend it to be a readily accessible resource that keeps education stats—with cites to original sources—at your fingertips.
Pathway to Success: Columbus Preparatory Academy raises the bar on rigor
With little fanfare, Columbus Preparatory Academy regularly appears near the top of the charts when it comes to state test scores. In 2018-19, for example, its performance index score ranked twelfth out of 3,225 Ohio public schools.
Poverty Isn't Destiny
Since 2005, the Thomas B. Fordham Institute has published annual analyses of Ohio’s state report cards.
2019 Fordham Sponsorship Annual Report
In our 2019 annual report, we provide insight into our sponsorship work during the year and the performance of our sponsored schools. We are also pleased to highlight the good work of our colleagues on Fordham’s policy and research teams.
Pathway to Success: Arts & College Preparatory Academy creates safe spaces for students to grow
Parents, when surveyed, routinely tell us that safety is one of their top priorities when choosing a school. Although what exactly constitutes a “safe” school likely varies, for many it means a place where children feel welcomed and accepted.
The Mountain Ahead: A report on the college and career readiness of Ohio students
Across the nation, headlines have trumpeted soaring high-school graduation rates. Ohio is no exception. Lofty rates leave the impression that the vast majority of students are ready to take their next steps in life. But the truth is that too many students exit high school not fully prepared for college and career.
Pathway to Success: Towpath Trail High School gives students the tools to build a better future
According to a recent What Works Clearinghouse review, the most effective dropout-prevention strategy is to directly connect schoolwork to students’ career aspirations.
Fulfilling the Readiness Promise: Twenty-Five Education policy ideas for Ohio
Creating smart, coherent education policy is painstaking work; there are technical, budgetary, and political challenges at almost every turn. But it is some of the most important work that state leaders can undertake.