Representative Patmon

Representative Patmon at first was a staunch opponent of school choice. He became a proponent, however, after witnessing … Read more

Despite the wind and the rain, parent advocate Tera Myers stood strong and addressed the crowd at the rally to share her family’s story and voice her support for school choice. She told us that because of Ohio’s wonderful representatives and caring … Read more

Coleman asks legislators for tweaks on charters
The Columbus Dispatch
June 13, 2013
Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman has asked the state legislature for tweaks on a bill, which was based off recommendations from his education commission, to ensure that charter schools don’t automatically receive windfalls of local property-tax dollars. The proposed bill currently offers no maximum on how much money could go to any single charter school, but only mandates that the property-tax collection be divided among the partnering charters, regardless of how many of them there are.

CPS school model wins national award
The Cincinnati Enquirer
June … Read more

The application window for the proposed income-based scholarship would likely open on July 1 and run through July 31 – just a few short weeks away. This means that we need to start spreading the word to all eligible families in the event that it becomes a reality.

To make … Read more

We’re happy to say that all the support and advocating for school choice is paying off. The Ohio House of Representatives and the Ohio Senate have both voted to pass the proposed income-based scholarship program. This means that we are a huge step closer to expanding … Read more

Built upon and associated with ODE’s Schools of Promise program, which recognizes high achievement among all students in schools with at least 40% enrollment from low-income families, the Schools of Honor Program acknowledges High Performing Schools of Honor and High Progress Schools of Honor.

High Performing Schools of Honor – Distinguishing Characteristics: 

• Scored
… Read more

The state budget: Senate OKs $61.7B bill; conference comes next
The Columbus Dispatch
June 7, 2013
Yesterday, the Ohio Senate passed its two-year, $61.7 billion budget. Included in the budget is a major expansion of vouchers that can be used toward private school tuition. Vouchers would now also be available to 2,000 kindergarteners next year whose family’s income falls below 200 percent of the federal poverty line. According to the Columbus Dispatch, the budget will be rejected by the House next week so it can go to conference committee, where the two chambers will make final additions and work … Read more

We proudly stand with thousands of families across the state today to applaud the Ohio Senate for supporting a budget that includes Governor Kasich’s proposal to create an income-based scholarship program.

For the first time, our state is recognizing that choice should not be limited to where a student lives, but also if the family has the financial ability to provide an education … Read more

The Tax Credit Scholarship Program, introduced with bipartisan support, would add Ohio to the growing list of states that offer a nonrefundable income credit against the income tax or certain business taxes for taxpayers who donate to nonprofit educational scholarship organizations.

Read excerpts from his testimony below.

Tax credit scholarships afford families of limited means the opportunity to send their children to a private school, without the use of public … Read more

Apprenticeships offer people the chance to learn in-demand skills that can lead to employment and a rewarding career. According to the Ohio State Apprenticeship Council, part of the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services, Ohio has more than 900 registered apprenticeship programs that can give people on-the-job training and the high-level skills that are required to be successful in today’s workplace.

A registered apprenticeship provides full-time work during the training period, decent wages, quality instruction and an avenue to job … Read more