Ohio Charter News Weekly – 1.6.22
Chad L. Aldis, Jeff MurrayWelcome back to our first edition of 2022, covering news from 12/17 – 12/31/21. We will return to regular weekly publication on Fridays starting tomorrow. Life advice and career advice
Are private schools “unaccountable”?
Aaron ChurchillIn the debates over private school scholarship (a.k.a. voucher) programs, one of opponents’ favorite talking points is to say that nonpublic schools are “unaccountable” or “unregulated.” To get a flavor, consider the following statements made over the past couple years:
Build Back Better’s early childhood proposals will strain state budgets
Aaron ChurchillPresident Biden and the Democratic-controlled Congress are poised to continue the federal government’s spending spree, this time through a $2 trillion extravaganza named Build Back Better (BBB). Just before Thanksgiving, the House of Representatives narrowly passed its version of the measure, and the Senate is now mulling possible changes to the package.
Gadfly Bites 10/20/21—Down is up
Jeff MurrayIn our topsy turvy tour of education news clips today, we start with Fairview Park City Schools, which appears to be heavily recruiting students to attend its swanky, newly-upgraded high school next year.
The promise in Ohio’s Career Promise Academy pilot
Jessica PoinerBetween the state budget, debates over school choice
Backpack funding bill would put parents in control
Aaron ChurchillEvery parent has the right to educate their children in way that meets their kids’ needs and accords with their values and beliefs. Don’t just take my word for it: The U.S.
Voucher critics are at it again
Jessica PoinerIt’s been a banner year for private school choice in Ohio.
Can Ohio solve the school transportation riddle?
Aaron ChurchillEvery student ought to have safe, reliable transportation to a school that meets their needs. Recognizing this, Ohio law has long required districts to offer transportation to all resident students in grades K–8 who live more than two miles from their school—whether that’s a district, charter, private, or STEM school.
An overview of Ohio’s new school funding formula, and a look at whether it might stick
Aaron ChurchillAt the end of June, Ohio lawmakers passed House Bill 110, the biennial operating budget for FYs 2022–23. It included a new school funding framework that received bipartisan support and was backed by school district officials and teachers unions.
An overview of Ohio’s recently-enacted family-friendly voucher changes
Jessica PoinerFor nearly twenty years, EdChoice has provided tens of thousands of students with the opportunity to attend private schools via state-funded scholarships, also known as vouchers.
No, EdChoice is not the cause of racial segregation
Aaron ChurchillOpponents of school choice in Ohio continue to threaten a lawsuit seeking to eradicate the state’s largest private-school scholarship program, known as
Ohio’s budget bill makes major changes to K–12 education policy
Aaron ChurchillOn July 1, Governor DeWine signed House Bill 110, the state’s operating budget for fiscal years 2022–23.
Fordham Institute statement on passage of biennium budget (House Bill 110)
Ohio Education GadflyToday, the Ohio Senate and House, each with broad bipartisan support, approved the report of the budget conference committee and sent HB 110 (the biennium state budget) to Governor DeWine for his approval.
A closer look at stackable credential pipelines in Ohio
Jessica PoinerThe U.S. Department of Labor defines stackable credentials as a “sequence of credentials that can be accumulated over time.” Research indicates that they can lead to higher-paying jobs for students and improve talent pipelines for employers. Over the last few years, Ohio has become a national leader in developing stackable credential pipelines.
Six ideas that conferees should include in the final budget bill
Jessica PoinerIt’s been a busy budget season filled with heated debates over how to revise Ohio’s school-funding formula, testing and
A primer on the Ohio Senate’s school funding plan
Aaron ChurchillOver the past few years, school-funding policy has been at the forefront of Ohio’s education debates.
The Senate’s enrichment ESA proposal could help Ohio eliminate opportunity gaps
Jessica PoinerEarlier this year, Governor DeWine requested that all public schools create and publish plans to address student learning loss caused by the pandemic.
The Ohio Senate puts educational choice front and center
Aaron ChurchillAcross the nation, state lawmakers have been heeding the call for parents to have more control over their children’s education.
Testimony given before the Senate Finance Committee on HB 110—6/3/21
Chad L. AldisNOTE: On June 3, 2021, the Ohio Senate’s Finance Committee heard testimony on House Bill 110, the state budget bill.
Media statement on the Ohio Senate’s K-12 education proposals
Ohio Education GadflyToday, the Ohio Senate released its version of the biennial state budget (House Bill 110). As a sizeable portion of overall state expenditures, K–12 education funding has rightly been subject to much debate since Governor DeWine and the Ohio House unveiled their budget proposals earlier this year.
The Senate should say no to making driver’s licenses count as industry-recognized credentials
Jessica PoinerThe state budget has long been the primary vehicle for instituting sweeping education policy changes in Ohio. Amidst all the hustle and bustle and debate, it’s easy to forget that standalone bills are still being proposed. In fact, given the high stakes, it may even seem wise to focus solely on the budget.
Cupp-Patterson funding plan falls short on open enrollment and guarantees
Aaron ChurchillOver the past two years, the Cupp-Patterson school funding plan has received tremendous attention in the media and at the statehouse. Currently, House lawmakers are considering what changes might be made to the plan, as laid out in House Bill 1.
Reliably identifying low-income students should be a priority
Aaron ChurchillThis spring’s school funding debates have revolved around the needs of poor students. Governor Mike DeWine has proposed a significant bump in state spending targeted at low-income students.