School Choice Ohio Blog

In April of this year, the U.S. Department of Education published a report on School Choice. This report, entitled Trends in the Use of School Choice: 2003-2007, used information taken from surveys of parents all over the nation.

The data show that school choice is prominent and growing among students nationwide:

• 70% attend their assigned public school,
• 15% have chosen a different public school,
• 12% attend a private school, and
• 3% are homeschooled.

The national data roughly corresponds to the landscape here in Ohio where:

• 85% attend an assigned or magnet/lottery public school,
• 9% attend private school,
• 4% attend a charter school, and
• 1% are homeschooled.

Researchers found that parents generally love school choice. After reviewing the data from 2003 to 2007, the trend was obvious: “Students enrolled in chosen public schools and private schools had parents who were more satisfied with their children’s schools than did students enrolled in assigned public schools.”

This makes sense. Every parent wants the best for their child. They are happier when they can choose the school which is truly the best fit, whether that is their assigned public school or elsewhere.

Unfortunately, many parents are not even aware of their options. The report indicates that only 50% of parents in 2007 knew that “public school choice was available.” Only 32% “considered other schools” for their child.

Lots of Ohio families have already made found the best fit for their child, but we are working toward the day when 100% of parents are satisfied with their child’s education. Sadly, though, if knowledge is power, there are still a lot of parents – at least 50% – who are not empowered. Check out the ways you can make a difference for them.

- Sarita Zaffini

The latest annual report on charter schools is out. Published by the Ohio Department of Education, it gives a rundown on the year’s charter school trends and legislation.

Some interesting numbers:

• During the 2008-2009 school year, the number of students enrolled in charters grew 8% from more than 82,000 to 89,000.
• 91% of Ohio’s 323 charters have physical school buildings; 9% are virtual.
• About 50 of Ohio’s charters are run by traditional public school districts to have extra flexibility. As of this year, vocational schools are now also allowed to start charter schools.
• 180 charter schools are sponsored by groups that are not required to be approved by ODE because they were operating prior to April 2003.
• 10 of the state’s 134 “School of Promise” (schools that do notably well with low-income students) are charter schools. Of these 10 charter schools, 7 are located the Cleveland area.

The report also gives a 13-page legislative history of charter schools.

- Sarah Pechan

Wondering how many students are opting out of Ohio’s public school system these days?

Data released this week at the monthly State Board of Education meeting shows that 10% of Ohio’s more than 2 million students attend private school or are homeschooled.

And of the 195,000+ students who go to private school, roughly 10% of them use state vouchers to pay tuition costs.

At least 1-2% of students are being taught at home, either with privately-purchased curriculum or state curriculum delivered through e-schools. E-school families receive free instruction and curriculum, while families who use a private or faith-based curriculum do not receive any funding help from the state (and many prefer it that way).

Families who opt out have decided, for whatever reason and often at significant personal expense, that their neighborhood public school is not the best option for their individual children.

Even as we applaud growth in the quality and range of public school options for families, it’s important to remember that these nonpublic options are an important part of the education landscape in Ohio.

- Sarah Pechan