Two Decades of Opportunity: School Choice Ohio Celebrates 20 Years

For the last 20 years, School Choice Ohio has stood as a steadfast advocate for educational opportunity in the Buckeye State. What began as a vision to empower parents with the ability to choose the best educational fit for their children has blossomed into a powerful force of dedicated individuals who have worked together to help shape Ohio’s K-12 landscape. As School Choice Ohio begins its 20^th year, we reflect on the journey, the milestones, and most importantly, the countless lives touched by the expansion of school choice.

School Choice Ohio’s unwavering commitment has been instrumental in championing and supporting the growth of Ohio’s diverse K-12 scholarship programs. These programs have provided pathways for students from every zip code, background, and circumstance to access educational environments that best meet their unique needs and learning styles.

To truly appreciate the impact of School Choice Ohio’s work, it’s essential to understand the evolution of Ohio’s scholarship programs and the key moments in our organization’s journey.

A Timeline of Ohio’s K-12 Scholarship Programs:

• 1995: Pilot Project Scholarship Program: This groundbreaking legislation established Ohio’s first publicly funded voucher program. It initially focused on a limited number of low-income students in the Cleveland City School District, allowing them to attend participating private schools. This pilot program served as a crucial early step in the state’s school choice journey, providing valuable data and insights that would inform future initiatives.
• 2003: Autism Scholarship Program: Recognizing the unique educational needs of students with autism, the Autism Scholarship Program was established. This program provides funding for eligible students with autism to attend specialized educational programs that can cater to their specific learning requirements and therapeutic interventions. This initiative underscored the state’s commitment to providing tailored educational opportunities for students with disabilities.
• 2005: Educational Choice Scholarship Program (EdChoice): Building upon the experience of the Cleveland Pilot Project, the EdChoice Scholarship Program was created to provide scholarships to students in grades K-12 who attend public schools designated as low-performing by the Ohio Department of Education. This program significantly expanded school choice options for families across the state, particularly those in districts facing academic challenges. The EdChoice program has since become one of Ohio’s largest and most prominent school choice initiatives.
• 2012: Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Program: Expanding on the commitment to students with disabilities, the Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Program was created to offer broader options for students with a wider range of special needs beyond autism. This program allows parents of eligible students to choose from a network of approved providers that can offer specialized services and educational support.
• 2014: EdChoice Expansion: Over the years, the eligibility criteria and scope of the EdChoice Scholarship Program have been subject to adjustments and expansions. A significant expansion in 2014 broadened eligibility based on income levels, making the program accessible to more middle-income families in addition to those in low-performing districts. This expansion sparked considerable debate about the role and impact of school choice in Ohio’s educational landscape.
• 2023: Scholarship Eligibility was expanded to ALL K-12 students in Ohio: Recent legislative changes have continued to expand eligibility for the EdChoice Scholarship Program, moving towards a more universal model where a larger number of Ohio families can access private school options through the scholarship programs. These ongoing expansions reflect SCO’s persistent advocacy for greater parental choice in education so families can access a high-quality education for their children that empowers each student to succeed..

Throughout this 20-year journey, School Choice Ohio has been a constant voice; informing Ohioans about school options and resources; empowering families in accessing their school of choice; and advocating for policies that expand educational opportunities for children across the state. They say the proof is in the pudding and a recent report released by the Urban Institute detail the positive impact Ohio’s scholarship programs have had on the lives and futures of participating students.

Our work continues:

• Advocacy: Engaging with policymakers to support the creation, expansion, and protection of scholarship programs.
• Education: Providing resources and information to parents about their school choice options and the benefits of these programs.
• Collaboration: Working with schools, community organizations, and other stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of school choice initiatives.
• Research: Supporting research efforts to evaluate the impact of school choice on student outcomes and informing future policy decisions.

As we celebrate this significant milestone, we recognize the profound impact School Choice Ohio has had on the lives of countless students and families. The dedication to the principle that every child deserves access to a quality education, regardless of their zip code or socioeconomic background, has made a tangible difference in Ohio’s educational landscape.

Looking ahead, the mission remains clear: to continue championing policies that empower parents, foster educational innovation, and ensure that every Ohio student can reach their full potential.

Thank you to every individual and organization that have partnered with us on this journey. Here’s to the next chapter of expanding educational opportunity in the Buckeye State, building on the solid foundation laid over the past 20 years.

When parents choose, students win. Ohio students are worth it!