Ohio's new voucher system labels top tier public schools as under-performing

[TexasTowelie]

Students in districts Ohio rates as among the best overall in the state can apply for vouchers to help pay for private school next year.

Traditionally, the state offers vouchers to families in poorly performing public school districts. But now, critics say, the legislature has expanded the definition of a low-preforming school to the point of absurdity, growing the list of districts with “under-preforming” schools from 40 in the fall of 2018 to 139 in 2019 and around 400 — nearly two-thirds of all districts in the state — by 2020.

There are 19 new EdChoice vouchers schools in Stark County, including ones in Perry, Plain, Marlington and Sandy Valley.

“To say there is an explosion in this program is not hyperbole,” economist and school finance consultant Howard Fleeter said. “If this doesn’t get unwound, I think it is significant enough in terms of the impact on the money schools get to undermine any new funding formula.”

Read more: https://www.cantonrep.com/news/20191215/ohiorsquos-new-voucher-system-labels-top-tier-public-schools-as-under-performing
(Canton Repository)