What’s Your (School Choice) Story?
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What’s Your (School Choice) Story?

Sharing stories of educational choice is key to understanding its importance for Ohio families.  While the issue of educational choice may be debated, the experience and success of students who were given a choice are powerful. Kristen Ostrosky and her children, Anthony (19) and Sara (16) have experienced what school choice can do for a…

Rhetoric vs. Reality – Where is the Truth About Educational Choice?

Rhetoric vs. Reality – Where is the Truth About Educational Choice?

By Rabbi Eric ‘Yitz’ Frank Debate over educational choice continues in Ohio and around the country, but misconceptions and even misinformation are clouding the discussion.  While everyone will have their own opinion, any conclusion should be based in reality.  Those who oppose school choice in our state have made repeated statements that do not reflect…

A Single Option is Not a Choice         

A Single Option is Not a Choice         

The majority of Ohio families are happy with their local public schools.  Scholarship usage has not created the mass exodus from public education or the “avalanche” of EdChoice scholarship applications as was predicted prior to the passage of HB33 in July 2023, which established universal school choice for Ohio families.  The numbers of scholarships for…

Do Ohio’s school choice scholarships defund public school districts? 

Do Ohio’s school choice scholarships defund public school districts? 

Most families in Ohio choose their public schools for their child’s education.  With that in mind, would it make sense to reduce funding for the largest educational option in our state?   Those in opposition to school choice would have people believe that educational funding is taking money from public education to fund scholarships for the…

Do School Choice Scholarships Negatively Affect Diversity?
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Do School Choice Scholarships Negatively Affect Diversity?

There is much debate about educational choice, not only in Ohio but all across the country.  One consistent argument made by those who oppose school choice is that Ohio’s scholarship programs have resulted in lack of diversity or the “haves” or “have nots” in education.  That is a claim that needs to be closely examined. …

Yes! You heard that right…EVERY child!

Yes! You heard that right…EVERY child!

Now, EVERY student is eligible for a Universal School Choice scholarship to attend the (participating) private school of their choice.  Students in grades K-12 whose family’s household income is at 450% of the Federal Poverty Level or less qualify for the full scholarship award of $6166 (K-8) and $8408 (9-12).  Students whose family’s household income…

Can tax dollars really transform into tuition?

Scholarship Granting Organizations are a lifeline to families trying to access school choice for their students. It is very simple…yes!  Ohioans can now designate their tax dollars toward tuition assistance to students at the school that they choose. HB110, Ohio’s biennial budget passed in July 2021, included a provision for the establishment of Scholarship Granting…

Congress Should Follow Ohio School Choice Lead

Congress Should Follow Ohio School Choice Lead

by Rabbi Eric “Yitz Frank and Peter Murphy Ohio made education history nearly 22 years ago when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Zelman vs. Simmons-Harris (2002) that the city of Cleveland’s education voucher program was constitutional, such that parents, not the government, freely exercised their First Amendment religious freedom to select schools for their…

Tips for Success – Parent/Teacher Conferences

Tips for Success – Parent/Teacher Conferences

Does the thought of a parent-teacher conference give you some anxiety? It doesn’t have to! Parent-teacher conferences are an important tool in your child’s education. A successful parent-teacher conference can provide benefits throughout the school year for both you and your student. Just a few hints to make your conference more successful: A few questions…