Ohio is one of the most active states in the school choice movement. The state offers three distinct private school choice programs: the Educational Choice voucher program for students in failing schools, the Cleveland Scholarship and Tutoring Program, and the Autism Scholarship Program. Additionally, the state has a relatively strong charter school law.
Parents should visit the Web site of School Choice Ohio for detailed information on school choice in the state: www.scohio.org
For Parents
How to apply for the Educational Choice Scholarship Program:
Students must be attending a public school that is classified by the state to be in Academic Watch or Academic Emergency for two years of a three-year period. A student entering Kindergarten who is assigned to one of these schools is also eligible.
How to apply for the Cleveland Scholarship and Tutoring Program:
Eligible students for the Cleveland Scholarship and Tutoring Program will be in grades K-8 when first applying for the program. Priority is given to students from low-income families living below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines ($41,300 for a family of four in 2007).
More Information on Ohio School Choice Initiatives
The Educational Choice Scholarship Program is a highly successful voucher system, with 9,654 students participating at 312 schools in the 2008-09 school year. Student participation in the program has more than tripled since the 2006-07 school year. The maximum scholarship is $4,500 for students in grades K-8, and $5,300 for high school students. In the 2007-08 school year, $25.5 million was spent and the average scholarship was $3,564.
The Cleveland Scholarship and Tutoring Program was enacted in 1995 and affirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court in the 2002 in the Zelman v. Simmons-Harris case. It serves families within the boundaries of the Cleveland Municipal School District, and gives preference to low-income students. In 2008-09 school year, 5,752 students are participating, attending 43 private schools.
Ohio’s landmark Autism Scholarship Program grants autistic students the opportunity to attend public schools outside their district or registered private educational providers. Scholarships are capped at $20,000. In the 2007-08 school year, 1,005 students particpated, with average scholarships of $15,500.
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