School Choice Ohio Blog

England recently unveiled a few new initiatives to encourage more choice in education, starting with their national network of “academy” schools, which basically operate like American charter schools.

This week’s Economist featured a study of Britain’s current policy goals and reported that England’s newly elected government “aims to allow parents more choice in their children’s education. Existing schools are encouraged to switch to academy status, and newly created ‘free schools,’ set up and run by not-for-profit businesses, charities, faith groups, universities, private schools, or parents themselves, will be in operation.”

And the funding model? It sounds delightfully similar to the “Fund the Child” model proposed by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute: “The state will pay for the premises and provide the funding per pupil; poorer children will attract more [funding], so that schools are keen to take them on.”

England, just like America, is very concerned about its economy and a large fiscal deficit. This strong push for school choice at such a time speaks to a general belief that school choice tends to save money rather than waste it.

The Economist is optimistic that “the injection of choice and competition into an unusually rigid school system could transform it. Schools will compete for pupils, not the other way around.” Up to this point, there seems to be good popular demand and enthusiasm. “So far around 160 schools have applied to become academies, and there have been over 60 bids to set up new free schools. The numbers may well increase as the policies take hold.”

Take heart: If you love school choice and want the best opportunity for your child, you are not alone. School choice is global – parents want the best for their children all over the world. Check out our website for more information about your choices in Ohio.

- Sarita Zaffini

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

Most people can imagine that the parents of kids who have special needs lead busy lives. Between appointments with specialists, doctor’s visits, making sure siblings aren’t lost in the mix, and keeping up with daily life, these families have added challenges (and joys).

With all of these added dimensions in their lives, families have enough on their plate without having to fight for their child to receive an appropriate education.

But many do spend valuable hours, days, and years fighting to convince skeptical schools that their kids with dyslexia can learn, they just need to be taught differently. Fighting to secure services they know will jumpstart their kids’ learning. Fighting to ensure that their kids with developmental delays have a chance to live independently.

Parents of students with autism have a way out of the fighting. It’s the Ohio Autism Scholarship, the first of its kind in the nation.

This tax-funded scholarship is a form of follow-the-student funding touted by education reformers nationwide. Parents can direct $20,000 (a fraction of the roughly $30,000 designated for these students in public schools) to the private education services they prefer. They can combine early intervention services, private schools, and cutting edge therapies – in other words, parents are empowered with options.

What difference has it made? Public schools step up their game, kids aren’t stuck in a holding pattern, and innovative ways of teaching kids with autism are expanded. Ohio is becoming known as an “autism-friendly state,” and parents are free to focus their energy more on helping their kids and less on fighting to get the services their child needs.

Shouldn’t this same opportunity be available to students with other learning differences and special needs?

Want to help this solution become a reality? Read up on the proposed special education scholarship legislation we mentioned last week, share your story with us, and tell your state legislator about it. Let’s all be a part of the solution.

- Sarah Pechan

Today is July 31st. Just another day on the calendar for most, but in the school choice movement it means a bit more. Economist Milton Friedman, groundbreaking leader in the field, would have turned 97 years old today.

All over the country, groups are holding events to commemorate the day and to reflect on his legacy. In Columbus, a luncheon will be hosted by the Buckeye Institute in honor of Dr. Friedman’s birthday.

Dr. Friedman was a staunch supporter of universal school choice. While that is an idea that has not yet been fully realized in the United States, aspects of school choice have enjoyed growing success over the years. In Ohio alone, there are three scholarships (or vouchers, if you will) that assist parents in finding an educational environment where they believe their child can be successful. Ohio’s programs are designed for specific groups of students including those living in Cleveland, those who have autism, and those who are assigned to attend Ohio’s lowest performing public schools.

The parents we work with are happy to have those options, but I would be lying if I said they didn’t want more. As a parent myself, I have exercised school choice and my children have benefitted. However, my school choice was not what is typically considered school choice. I purchased a home in the public school district and exact school zone where I believed my children could excel.

Sadly, this is not a realistic option for many parents. Public schools in many of our urban areas, despite many valiant efforts at reform, have continued to struggle. Many times, enrollments have declined. Are the parents of the students in those schools satisfied or simply out of options?

On a personal level, my children are not better or more deserving of a quality education than anyone else’s children. That is one of the reasons I am a strong supporter of giving all parents high quality, public and private educational options.

Sometimes, I am left to wonder if those who oppose school choice would willingly send their children to the public schools in each district considered low performing. If the answer is no, which I expect it often would be, I am troubled by their opposition to giving all parents the educational options they already enjoy.

On this day of reflection, why do you support or oppose school choice?

– Chad Aldis