Buckeye Reporter

As the 136th General Assembly of Ohio begins, The Buckeye Institute has released a policy memo urging lawmakers to uphold their commitment to universal school choice. The memo outlines six recommendations for legislators to consider in order to maintain and expand school choice options for Ohio families.

Greg R. Lawson, a research fellow at The Buckeye Institute, highlighted the popularity of school choice programs and emphasized the need for lawmakers to resist efforts that could limit EdChoice eligibility or scholarships. He stated that "[s]tudents should come first, whether they learn at their local district school, a charter school, or one of Ohio’s many alternative education providers."

The memo's recommendations include integrating disadvantaged pupil aid into EdChoice scholarship allocations and reforming transportation systems for public charter and private school students. It also suggests easing access for charter schools to unused district buildings and creating financial support mechanisms for non-district schools looking to expand classroom capacity. Additionally, it calls for issuing state report cards with clear information to assist parents.

Lawson urged state leaders to "take commonsense steps to secure universal school choice and resist any efforts to undermine its success." This call comes as recent data shows an increase in EdChoice recipients from 50,200 in 2021 to nearly 130,000 in 2024.

The Buckeye Institute argues that despite funding concerns from some quarters, the EdChoice program does not financially impact public district schools since these institutions receive funding based on actual enrollment figures.

In conclusion, The Buckeye Institute stresses the importance of prioritizing students' needs across various educational settings in Ohio by maintaining and enhancing universal school choice opportunities.