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 30^th to set a budget; it’s not too late to “do the right thing by the kids.”

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.

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 your public 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 4^th 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.  

http://www.cityclub.org/Media/Audio/CityClubPodcast-090529.mp3

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.