Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means we will soon be gathering with friends and family to celebrate and be thankful. So, it only seems fitting that we feature stories this week from students located all across the state who are thankful to receive a scholarship to attend the school of their choice.
In this video, we feature several moms who are grateful that the Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Program is now available to Ohio students with special needs…
School choice has entered a new world. Americans are becoming increasingly vocal about the importance of empowering parents to choose their children’s schools, and states across the nation, including Ohio, are adopting broad-based school choice initiatives.
The “Christopher Columbus” of school choice in this country is Nobel-prize winning economist Milton Friedman, who pioneered this movement more than 50 years ago.
In 1955, Friedman introduced school choice as a way to improve the quality of American education. His idea was simple: give parents access to their children’s public education funding rather than require they attend the public schools nearest to their homes.
“Governments could require a minimum level of education which they could finance by giving parents vouchers redeemable for a specified maximum sum per child per year if spent on ‘approved’ educational services,” Friedman wrote in 1955. “Parents would then be free to spend this sum and any additional sum on purchasing educational services from an ‘approved’ institution of their own choice.”
At first, Friedman’s suggestions lived mostly as an academic exercise with little in the way of new programs. And without the reforms he suggested, the cost of public education doubled while its academic performance stayed the same. As Friedman noted, that shouldn’t come as a surprise because that’s exactly what monopolies do. They offer a product of similar, if not worse, value at a higher price than normally would be allowed if they had to compete in the free market.
But those days are over. Parents are fed up, wondering why their kids are underperforming or unmotivated in K-12 schools and unprepared for their college courses and future careers. They want the life-changing opportunity to choose the school that will best prepare their child for lifelong success. Parents are demanding that their children receive a high quality education that best meets their learning needs.
Because of that sentiment, last year a historic number of choice programs were enacted across the country. Substantiating that momentum, The Wall Street Journal called 2011 “The Year of School Choice” and school choice programs have continued to expand in 2012.
Today, 18 states and the District of Columbia provide some type of private school choice for their residents. Already in 2012, Virginia has joined the school choice “family;” New Hampshire’s legislature has passed a school choice measure; Florida and Arizona expanded their programs; and Louisiana dramatically increased the scope of its school voucher program.
In Ohio, we recently saw the creation of the Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Program, a scholarship that allows any student with special needs to attend the public or private school of their choice. Along with Ohio’s three other school voucher programs – the EdChoice Scholarship Program, the Cleveland Scholarship and Tutoring Program, and the Ohio Autism Scholarship Program – and a growing number of outstanding public school options, Ohio families now enjoy more opportunities than ever to find a great school that is a great fit for their children.
This month would have been Milton Friedman’s 100th birthday. Though it took America more than 50 years to reach today’s environment in which parent empowerment in education is celebrated and not ridiculed, the battle was worth it.
As the school choice movement gathers momentum, it is changing lives one by one as it allows students to reach their true potential and empowers parents with options.
It is National Volunteer Appreciation Week! This week, School Choice Ohio will highlight the work of the many volunteers who help spread the word about the importance of school choice. Today, we share our appreciation for our volunteer student interns. These students represent the next generation of education leaders and we are so grateful for their work on the ground with us.
Interns play a vital role in the future of school choice. They delve deeply into the world of school choice through their work and leave with a deep understanding of the importance, context, and struggles of the school choice movement.
They work with us for months at a time, devoting their time and talent to the work of advertising the many school options that are available to Ohio students and advocating for more and better opportunities. They attend events, help us Tweet, network with other education reform leaders, contact partners, build tools, coordinate essay contests, and so much more.
Thank you, Rachel, Marisa, Marjorie, Alex, Lisa, Krista, and Heather for volunteering with us!
If you would like to become an intern or know someone who might be interested, you can find more information here.
While some of us rushed to file taxes before this week’s deadline, parents and schools were finishing up their scholarship applications to beat the first application deadline for Ohio’s Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship.
The scholarship, which extended the successful Autism Scholarship to students with any disability, is already hugely popular in its first year with more than 1,500 student applications.
The scholarship got off to a slow start because of contested administrative rules that pushed back the scholarship start time. With just two months to apply, parents scrambled to locate the programs in their area that would be best suited for their children. School Choice Ohio held information sessions across the state to educate families and support groups about the new scholarship.
For their part, schools scrambled to hire the staff they needed, register with the Ohio Department of Education, and advertise their services to local families. After School Choice Ohio and our partners held nine regional trainings and answered innumerable emails and phone calls, we were thrilled to see private schools expanding their special needs programs, parents of students with special needs working with private schools to develop new programs, and a public district in Wayne Co (Northwestern Local Schools) in line to serve scholarship recipients from neighboring districts.
By the time the first application window ended, parents were able to choose from 167 providers in 41 counties. Clearly private schools are eager to serve students with special needs when they have the resources. Private schools typically cost less than half of public school. So the scholarship (worth $7,000-$20,000 depending on the severity of the students’ disability) allows these low-cost schools to offer or expand their special education services.
Throughout this process, our staff – especially our wonderful Special Needs Outreach Manager Cheryl Bowshier – heard story after story of parents who were absolutely thrilled to have this new scholarship option available to them. In helping parents navigate the school selection and application process, Cheryl heard countless stories like these:
The vision of the heroic legislative champions who went to bat year after year for the creation of this scholarship is being realized.
Just a year ago, these parents did not have this option. Just six months ago, these parents didn’t know they had the option. Now, parents are empowered to choose, empowered to fight the bureaucracy, empowered to avoid lengthy legal battles, and empowered to secure their families’ rights.
The long-term benefits of providing the specialized instruction to reach ALL students are profound – fewer dropouts, more students prepared to live independently, the bar being raised higher, better individualized instruction, and thousands of students with special needs pulled out of the cracks.
With the Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship, parents are empowered with options and student needs are placed at the center. If this first application cycle is any indication, this scholarship will join Ohio’s three other voucher programs as a life-changing piece of Ohio’s education landscape.
Yesterday, the Ohio Department of Education released the number of applications received for the Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Program and the EdChoice Scholarship Program. In all, more than 18,900 students applied for these state-funded scholarship programs. School Choice Ohio sent the press release below following ODE’s announcement.
Ohio School Vouchers Flourish as Application Periods Close
COLUMBUS, Ohio (April 16, 2012) – The Ohio Department of Education announced today that 18,928 applications were submitted for two state-funded scholarship programs.
The department received a total of 17,438 applications for the EdChoice Scholarship Program, which includes 3,814 new applicants. In addition, the department received 1,544 first-time applications for the state’s new Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Program.
“First, we want to thank Governor Kasich and legislative leadership for expanding in last year’s budget Ohio’s school choice options by increasing the number of EdChoice Scholarship vouchers available in Ohio and creating the new Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship. Clearly our elected leaders have realized the basic belief that parents deserve the chance to send their children to a private school that will best fit their education needs. We are thrilled that thousands of Ohio families applied to take advantage of these scholarship programs,” said School Choice Ohio Executive Director Matt Cox. “The number of applicants for Ohio’s school voucher programs continues to rise at a steady rate each year as more parents become empowered and aware of their educational options. We expect this trend to continue into the future.”
The EdChoice application deadline was Friday, April 13, and the John Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Program application deadline was Sunday, April 15.
The EdChoice program is available for students who attend the state’s lowest rated public schools. Students can use the state-funded school voucher to attend the participating private school of their choice. Currently, more than 15,000 students receive an EdChoice scholarship.
The Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Program, created in 2011, is available for students with special needs who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Scholarship amounts will be based on the child’s special need category and will not exceed $20,000. Students may use the scholarship to pay for tuition at a private school, additional services at a private provider, or at other public schools. A second application period will open for this scholarship in October.
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Parents of children with special needs can begin applying for the Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Program. The Ohio Department of Education posted the searchable list of approved providers for the program online at https://scholarship.ode.state.oh.us/Provider.
The list will continue to be updated in real time as ODE continues to approve provider applications. Schools that are interested in becoming a provider for the program can visit the department’s website for instructions on how to apply.
Families can use the scholarship funding to pay for tuition at participating private schools that offer special education services and /or for additional services at approved private therapists and other service providers. The scholarship can also be used at other public providers, such as another public school district, if the district chooses to accept scholarship students.
To apply for a scholarship, just follow these three simple steps:
Step 1: Verify your child has an IEP
If your child attends a private school, be sure to request an IEP from your home district by the time of the April 15 deadline. Note that by law, the home school district has 30 days to fulfill the request.
Step 2: Choose a school and / or provider for your child
Review the approved provider list (available online here) and determine the school and/or provider(s) you wish to use. Note that more will be added to this list as ODE continues to approve providers.
Step 3: Call and request that your school / provider of choice apply for you
The school and/or provider(s) will apply for the scholarship on your behalf.
Any student in the state who has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is eligible to apply for a scholarship. Current private school students are also eligible. Remember, the deadline to apply for a scholarship for the first academic term is April 15, 2012.
Do you have questions about the application process? Let us know –we would be happy to answer them!
School Choice Ohio is grateful to have such a strong team of school choice parent and student ambassadors across the state who write letters, give testimony, and share their stories. As School Choice Week comes to an end, take a look back at some great quotes shared by Ohio parents and students.
“It was not easy to make the decision about using the EdChoice Scholarship Program because we were very loyal to the public schools. However, now my son receives an excellent education and the discipline, respect, and encouragement that are instilled in him at home are being reinforced at school. My husband and I feel that the EdChoice was the best opportunity that the state has given children.”
– Renetta, mother of an EdChoice scholarship student
“In my daughter’s public school, she was doing advanced work but she was still bored to tears. She was slipping through the cracks. I was so happy when the principal at her new school called and told me about the Cleveland Scholarship. I enrolled her right away and now I see such a difference. She is taking Latin classes, playing the cello, and learning science – she loves it!”
– Seanette, mother of a Cleveland scholarship student
“I discovered the Autism Scholarship Program when my daughter was 13. She has come a long way from being extremely shy to very sociable. The focus at her new school is on her strengths instead of her deficits.”
– Toni, mother of an Autism scholarship student
“EdChoice has given me the opportunity to go to a private school with an excellent curriculum and great teachers. Thank you for helping me to reach my goals and obtain an excellent education.”
– Jordan, EdChoice scholarship student
“This new Special Needs Scholarship Program will open up doors for our children, let us make the school choices and reduce the anxieties we feel as parents to find the best school to address the special needs and learning styles of our children.”
– Fati, mother of two children with special needs
“I couldn’t afford private school tuition, so I am blessed to have this scholarship. The Cleveland Scholarship Program is a good program because it gives our kids an advantage. The scholarship gives him an advantage in his future – in school, college, and beyond.”
– Debra, mother of a Cleveland scholarship student
“EdChoice offers hope to families who aren’t able to afford a private school. Hope that anything is possible. It proves that you can reach for the stars for opportunity. It’s great that all children have the same opportunity no matter what the financial status.”
– Julie, mother of an EdChoice scholarship student
“For my children, having the ability to make this choice means a brighter future. I can’t possibly express how much this scholarship will change our lives and my children’s futures.”
– Angela, mother of two children with special needs
We are pleased to share an exciting update about Ohio’s new Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Program. Yesterday, the State Board of Education approved the rules for the scholarship program, which puts our state one step closer to finalizing this scholarship that will help thousands of Ohio students with special needs. For the final step, the program rules will need to be approved by the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR).
School Choice Ohio was actively involved in conversations with the State Board of Education as they considered the rules for approval.
The State Board of Education also heard testimony from Lola Lambert, a mother of a child with special needs. Her five-year-old son receives an Autism Scholarship, and her touching story detailed how he has grown thanks to the services that are available to him with the help of the scholarship. Below are excerpts from her powerful testimony.
“The scholarship allowed us to create a custom tailored program for my son that met all of his needs and worked on all of his IEP goals. Because of his intricate needs, we have sought out support from several scholarship providers in order to effectively work on his IEP goals. The results have been astounding! Our son has flourished with the program we have created for him. He has surpassed our expectations, and new goals are being made for him weekly because his progress is so incredible.
In the time they have been working with us, they have helped my son learn how to drink from an open cup, a straw, and a juice box; they have potty trained him; helped him be able to hold a spoon, scoop his food and get it successfully in his mouth, learn how to read, ride a bike, play on a real swingset, and engage in functional conversation.
Our goal is for our son to enter the public school system soon, and we feel that by using the ASP, we were able to really focus our attention on the areas that my son needed extra help in, so that he would be equipped to join his peers in class. Having access to the ASP for us meant that my son was able to get the services he needed, in the frequency that he needed them, and for that we are forever thankful.” -Lola Lambert, mother of a child with special needs
We look forward to sharing many more incredible stories like Lola’s once Ohio families begin using the Special Needs Scholarships.
Today, Senator Peggy Lehner was presented with School Choice Ohio’s Leadership Award in recognition of her commitment to advancing the principles of school choice in the state of Ohio. Senator Lehner played a critical role in helping make the Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Program a reality for Ohio families.
School Choice Ohio’s Government Affairs Coordinator Jason Warner and Special Needs Outreach Manager Cheryl Bowshier present the Leadership Award to Senator Lehner
Last night, supporters of the new Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship gathered to celebrate its namesake and a state senator who helped bring the scholarship to life.
Jon Peterson, sponsor of the Autism Scholarship and long-time advocate of the Special Needs Scholarship, received School Choice Ohio’s first ever “School Choice Legacy” award.
School Choice Ohio Executive Director Chad Aldis presents Jon Peterson with the Legacy Award
Many of the parents, community advocates, and schools that he worked with during his tenure in the Ohio House of Representatives were there to celebrate the passage of the Special Needs Scholarship in the most recent state budget. Peterson now serves as Delaware County Treasurer.
State senator Kevin Bacon, who was instrumental in supporting the Scholarship during the state budget process, received a School Choice Leadership award for his role.
School Choice Ohio Board Chair Matt Cox presents Senator Kevin Bacon with the Leadership Award
Parents and advocates talked about the difference the Autism Scholarship has already made in their children’s lives. They also shared their excitement for the Special Needs Scholarship, because it will allow more families to access the education they know is best for their children.
Our warmest congratulations and thanks to Jon and Kevin for their strong advocacy on behalf of the many parents who are already lining up to use the Special Needs Scholarship next year. Your vision of innovative ways to serve Ohio students with special needs will change the face of education for the next generation.