School choice provisions in the Senate budget bill
Here’s a look at a number of hugely important choice-related provisions included in the Senate version of the HB 110, Ohio’s biennial budget bill. Among those provisions: full funding for the quality charter school program, removal of the geographic restrictions on startup charters, increases in voucher amounts, and a boost in facility support for charters and independent STEM schools.
Budget bill status
An amended version of HB 110 passed the Senate on Thursday of this week, followed quickly by the House refusing to concur in the changes made. As expected. This sets the stage for a conference committee process to reconcile differences between the two versions of the bill, with education provisions (including those discussed in the item above) likely to take center stage in the committee’s work.
The new…
A new STEM-focused charter school, Explorers Academy of Science and Technology, will open its doors this fall in Toledo. We get a quick look at what students and families can look forward to courtesy of WTOL-TV in the Glass City. Go Rockets!
…and the old
While student transportation planning for next school year seems to be full steam ahead in Dayton City Schools, charter leaders in the Gem City appear to be waiting, hopefully, for news from the new third-party transportation provider who will be assuming responsibility for transporting their students this fall.
Fond remembrance
Youngstown education leader Sister Jerome Corcoran is remembered fondly in this piece, following her death last week at the age of 105. Her education ministry included (among many accomplishments) decades of teaching at numerous Catholic schools in the region; lecturing at Youngstown State University, the University of Dayton, and other higher ed institutions; and helping to found the charter school Youngstown Community School in 1998.
The view from Detroit
Grand Valley State University, sponsor of 78 charter schools in Michigan, announced this week that all 24 eighth grade graduates of Detroit Achievement Academy have been guaranteed GVSU admission and free tuition upon their completion of high school in Wayne County. Importantly, GVSU will provide support for the students throughout their high school careers including college-preparedness workshops designed to remove barriers to high education.
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