Ohio has a long history of empowering parents with educational options for their children. Today, more than 250,000 of the state’s 1.6 million students attend public charter schools, enroll in private schools with the support of state-funded scholarships, or participate in interdistrict open enrollment. Yet much more remains to be done to ensure that all families have access to high-quality schools that fit their children’s needs.
In this new policy brief, we outline specific ways that Ohio lawmakers could continue the push for more and better educational options. Recommendations focus on improving funding for charter schools, expanding eligibility for private school scholarships, and making interdistrict open enrollment a reality throughout the state. If adopted, Ohio will make further progress toward a pluralistic, parent-centered K–12 education system that focuses on achievement, quality, and diversity.
This paper is the first of a series of policy briefs that Fordham will release this year as Ohio lawmakers begin to consider ways to improve K-12 education in the next budget cycle. To read the brief and the policy recommendations, click here.
