We are a voice of parents, teachers, public charter schools, public e-schools, choice advocacy groups, families and education leaders who care about the rights of all Ohio children and their families to choose the best school to meet their individual needs.
You may recall our post a few weeks back, where MSMC reported on U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan’s warning that states that fail to embrace education innovations like public charter schools “would not be helping their chances” when it comes to competing for the billions of federal stimulus funds allocated to education over the next two years.
If you weren’t already concerned that Gov. Strickland and House Democrats’ biennial budget-which cuts public charter school funding by 20 percent and eSchool funding by nearly 70 percent-could take us out of the running for federal stimulus funds, you should be now. As reported Monday by the Columbus Dispatch, the U.S. Department of Education has put Ohio on the short list of states to watch.
“Department spokesman Justin Hamilton said last week that federal regulators are watching to see how Ohio resolves its battle over charter-school funding. ‘We’ve been closely monitoring the debate across the country and in states like Ohio where the legislature still has the chance to do the right thing by the kids,’ he said.”
National Democrat leaders, like Secretary Duncan and President Obama, seem to understand that there is a need and a place for public charter schools within our country’s school systems. 80,000 Ohio students agree. Lawmakers have until June 30th to set a budget; it’s not too late to “do the right thing by the kids.”
As I continue to follow the state budget debate taking place at the capitol, an editorial in Saturday’s Columbus Dispatch caught my eye. The piece urges lawmakers to treat effective public charter schools fairly in the budget process, following the release of a recent study that shows these schools are making progress with some of the state’s neediest and most at-risk students.
The report, released by KidsOhio.org, shows that public charter schools and traditional public schools in the “Big 8″ urban districts serve significantly higher proportions of poor, minority and special-needs children than do traditional public schools in general. When you measure performance based on the percentage of students passing state proficiency exams, these schools score lower, an argument that charter school foes often cite. However, if performance is measured based on the percentage of students making reasonable progress, these schools rank much higher, landing in the middle of the group.
The Dispatch piece raises a good point-should we close effective schools that are showing progress? Of course not. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what HB 1 as proposed by Gov. Strickland and House Democrats, would do.
“State leaders should concern themselves with providing Ohio children with educational options that work, regardless of the format, whether charter or traditional schools. Given KidsOhio’s evidence that charters are working as well as the urban schools with which they compete, the Democratic-led assault on charters not only is unfair but is harmful to students.”
Lawmakers have 15 days to finalize a two-year budget. Let’s hope they realize that some of the schools at-risk to close are the same schools that are showing progress before it’s too late.
On behalf of Ohio’s public charter school students, families, and supporters, My School, My Choice thanks the Ohio Senate for voting to restore funding for Ohio’s public charter schools in the biennial budget. I applaud these Senators for recognizing that when it comes to education, one size does not fit all.
As a way of expressing their gratitude, some public charter school and public eSchool families have recorded “Thank you!” videos to the Senate, which MSMC has compiled. Check out the video below, or watch it on the My School, My Choice You Tube page.
Don’t see yourself in the video, but want to say thank you to the Senate? Leave a comment on this post thanking the Senate for saving your school, and encourage lawmakers to fully fund yourpublic charter school.
MSMC calls on Governor Strickland to apologize for misleading Ohioans that public charter schools are not accountable, when in fact, Ohio has the strongest accountability system in the county. Read the release on our website.
As reported on June 4th by The Columbus Dispatch government and politics blog The Daily Briefing, Gov. Strickland criticized Senate Republican’s proposed budget, which restored funding to public charter schools. The Gov. is quoted as saying, “It’s not a money matter. It’s their refusal to embrace accountability and transparency…”
In reality, Ohio public charter schools must meet the same state and federal standards as traditional public schools, but beyond that, public charter schools must meet the ultimate test of accountability-parents. Should a public charter school fail to meet performance expectations, parents can choose to educate their children at another school. Additionally, a public charter school could have its charter revoked if it does not perform financially or academically.
Let’s hope Gov. Strickland gets his facts straight in the next three weeks.
In case you weren’t able to listen to Greg Browning’s live speech last Friday from the City Club of Cleveland, I’ve included a link to his speech below:
Browning, the former State Budget Director, offers an inside look at Ohio’s school funding formula, and where and how it can improve. In his expert opinion, “state funding parity should be a central priority.”
If you’re looking for some background on public charter schools in Ohio, and why school funding needs to improve for the future of Ohio’s students and the state itself, Browning’s speech is worth listening to, especially as the Senate and House continue to debate over HB 1.
Based on remarks made yesterday by U.S Education Secretary Arne Duncan, Ohio may be one state that could lose out on millions of federal stimulus dollars should the proposed school funding plan pass. Duncan said yesterday that states that fail to embrace education innovations like public charter schools “would not be helping their chances” when it comes to competing for the billions allocated to education over the next two years, as reported by the AP.
How encouraging to hear another statement of support for public charter schools from the Obama administration, which has made it clear that federal tax money will go to states where parents have public school choices. Earlier this year, President Obama called on lifting charter school caps across the country.
Governor Strickland and Ohio Democrats need to take a cue from prominent national Democrat leaders like President Obama and Secretary Duncan, and set Ohio public charter school funding equal to traditional public schools. By cutting charter funding by 20 percent and e-school funding by nearly 70 percent, HB 1 does the opposite of embracing these schools—it would close many of them down. The state of Ohio and Ohio students cannot afford to see federal tax revenue sent to other states. Why risk it, Governor Strickland?
If you’re free at noon, you may be interested in tuning in to today’s speaker at the City Club of Cleveland. Greg Browning, former state budget director and current special adviser to My School, My Choice, will be speaking on school choice and school funding in Ohio. You may remember Greg from his guest post earlier this month, where he provided us with some clear, concise, facts on how HB1 will cut funding for public charter schools.
Click here to visit the City Club website. Greg’s speech will be available under the “Media” box on the right side of the page. Greg managed Ohio’s budget for most of the ’90’s-his expert opinion on school funding is one not too miss.
