ProgressOhio

While the Governor has made some positive steps toward improving education in Ohio, his plan is far from equitable. It does not treat all of Ohio's children fairly--especially Ohio's 88,000 Charter School students.

Public charter schools in Ohio, including public charter e-schools, must meet all of the same accountability requirements as every other public school, including employing highly qualified, Ohio-certified teachers; participating in all state assessments; and complying with No Child Left Behind. In addition, they must enroll any Ohio student who chooses to attend and provide any needed special education and remedial services. Students are also required to meet more stringent attendance standards.

Despite meeting all of these same accountability requirements, charter schools receive significantly less funding per pupil than traditional public schools, since no local property tax funds flow to them. Ohio's public charter e-schools receive even LESS funding per pupil, since the state has already cut several categories of funding relating to low-income students in e-schools. In essence, my public e-school students' education is currently funded at 75 cents on the dollar compared to their friends in traditional schools. Under the Governor's school funding plan, that would fall to less than 20 cents on the dollar. This is in spite of the fact that my kids' school, Ohio Connections Academy, has made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) each of the past two years based on the same standards by which every school in Ohio is measured.

I agree that the funding plan for Ohio's schools must be changed, but not at the expense of Ohio's charter schools.