Commentary
School Finance
Ohio’s new school funding formula—challenges with the base cost model
In anticipation of debates about school funding in the coming months, I recently began a series on Ohio’s new school funding formula.
Commentary
School Finance
Ohio’s new school funding formula: An introduction
In summer 2021, Ohio lawmakers passed a brand-new school funding formula for Ohio’s 600-plus school districts and 300-plus public charter schools.
Commentary
School Finance
Ohio should be more transparent about its federal Covid relief spending
Over the last few years, the federal government has sent billions of dollars in emergency funding to states via several relief packages aimed at addressing the impacts of Covid-19.
Commentary
School Finance
Three policies Ohio leaders should prioritize in the upcoming budget
As the excitement of a new year dwindles and Ohioans settle back into their familiar routines, policymakers and advocates are gearing up for yet another budget season. Governor DeWine is scheduled to release his proposed biennial state operating budget in just a few short weeks, and by June, a host of new legislative provisions will likely become law.
Commentary
School Finance
Teacher compensation compared to other professions
Sylvia Allegretto and her colleagues at the union-backed Economic Policy Institute (EPI) have been arguing for over eighteen years that teachers are underpaid. Her latest in a long line of reports on the topic was published in August and follows the same methodology as all previous versions.
Report
School Finance
School funding imperatives for Ohio’s next budget: Toward a more efficient, productive, and transparent system
Recognizing the importance of an educated citizenry, Ohio taxpayers have made generous investments in K–12 education. In FY 2021, statewide spending on public primary and secondary education reached a record high of $21 billion or $13,300 per pupil.
Commentary
School Finance
Ohio should help teachers who are buying their own classroom supplies
Thanks to inflation and supply chain issues, back-to-school shopping was an especially tight squeeze for many families this year. But parents aren’t the only ones shouldering the financial burden. Teachers are, too.
Commentary
School Finance
About last week’s “emergency” school levies
Last Tuesday, Ohioans finally voted in primaries for state representative and (if applicable) state senator after the traditional spring primary was delayed due to redistricting issues.
Commentary
School Finance
The special subsidies baked into Ohio’s new funding formula
Politicians are notorious for handing out subsidies for certain projects and sectors
Commentary
School Finance
Ohio needs a well-functioning ACE program to address the enrichment gap
There’s a growing body of <
Commentary
School Finance
Ohio’s teacher pension mess
Due to massive financial woes, Ohio suspended cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retired teachers in July 2017.
Commentary
School Finance
Ohio’s enrollment slump, and what that means for policymakers
Over the past two decades, student enrollment has gradually declined across Ohio, reflecting demographic changes and out-migration that have reduced the overall childhood population
Commentary
School Finance
Ohio needs to better leverage state dollars to support low-income students
For decades, analysts have observed large achievement gaps between low-income children and their peers, disparities that have only widened due to Covid.
Commentary
School Finance
EdChoice lawsuit twists the truth about school funding in Ohio
Last week, five school districts filed a lawsuit in the Franklin County courts that attempts to strike down EdChoice, Ohio’s private scholarship program that serves roughly 50,000 school children, many of whom are among the need
Commentary
School Finance
Build Back Better’s early childhood proposals will strain state budgets
President 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.
Commentary
School Finance
Can Ohio solve the school transportation riddle?
Every 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.
Commentary
School Finance
An overview of Ohio’s new school funding formula, and a look at whether it might stick
At 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.
Commentary
School Finance
Ohio’s budget bill makes major changes to K–12 education policy
On July 1, Governor DeWine signed House Bill 110, the state’s operating budget for fiscal years 2022–23.
Commentary
School Finance
Fordham Institute statement on passage of biennium budget (House Bill 110)
Today, 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.
Commentary
School Finance
Six ideas that conferees should include in the final budget bill
It’s been a busy budget season filled with heated debates over how to revise Ohio’s school-funding formula, testing and
Commentary
School Finance
A primer on the Ohio Senate’s school funding plan
Over the past few years, school-funding policy has been at the forefront of Ohio’s education debates.
Commentary
School Finance
The Senate’s enrichment ESA proposal could help Ohio eliminate opportunity gaps
Earlier this year, Governor DeWine requested that all public schools create and publish plans to address student learning loss caused by the pandemic.
Commentary
School Finance
The Ohio Senate puts educational choice front and center
Across the nation, state lawmakers have been heeding the call for parents to have more control over their children’s education.
Commentary
School Finance
Testimony given before the Senate Finance Committee on HB 110—6/3/21
NOTE: On June 3, 2021, the Ohio Senate’s Finance Committee heard testimony on House Bill 110, the state budget bill.
Commentary
School Finance
Media statement on the Ohio Senate’s K-12 education proposals
Today, 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.
Undefined
School Finance
Will Ohio hold schools accountable for effectively spending federal relief aid?
Just over a year ago, Congress passed the first
Undefined
School Finance
Testimony provided before the Senate Finance Committee on HB 110—5/17/21
NOTE: Today, the Ohio Senate’s Finance Committee heard testimony on HB 110, the state’s biennial budget.
Undefined
School Finance
Testimony presented before the Senate Primary and Secondary Education Committee on HB 110 – 5/10/21
NOTE: Today, the Ohio Senate’s Primary and Secondary Education Co
Undefined
School Finance
Testimony presented before the Senate Primary and Secondary Education Committee on HB 110
NOTE: Today, the Senate Primary and Secondary Education Committee heard testimony on HB 110, the state’s next biennial budget.
Undefined
School Finance
The good, bad, and ugly of the House budget
The Ohio House recently passed its version of the state budget (HB 110) for FYs 2022–23.
