AFC & School Choice Ohio Celebrate Ohio School Choice Expansion

The American Federation for Children and School Choice Ohio applaud Governor DeWine, Senate President Matt Huffman, House Speaker Jason Stephens, and members of the Ohio Senate and House of Representatives for passing landmark school choice legislation through Ohio’s biennial budget.

The budget follows Ohio’s nearly 30-year tradition of continually expanding educational freedom to more and more students. Now, all Ohio families will be eligible for the state’s EdChoice program.

Statement from Tommy Schultz, CEO, American Federation for Children:

“Ohio’s school choice programs have provided opportunity to students for nearly three decades, and with this measure, leaders showed their commitment to expanding educational freedom to even more families. We commend Governor DeWine and the lawmakers who continue to fight alongside families who need additional educational options.”

Statement from Eric “Yitz” Frank, President, School Choice Ohio:

“HB33 includes the largest expansion of educational choice in the state’s history, making Ohio one of the country’s leaders in school choice. This legislation ensures that every family and student can choose the education that best meets their unique needs. We wish to thank Governor Mike DeWine and Senate President Matt Huffman for their strong leadership and commitment to education, putting students first by providing educational choice for all.”

Details on HB33:

• Includes school choice eligibility for every Ohio student.
  • Scholarship amounts will be income-based. Students whose family’s income is at or below 450% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), or about $135,000 for a family of four, will be eligible to receive the full scholarship amount, and students whose family’s household income is above 450% FPL will be eligible for voucher amounts decreased on a sliding scale.
• Continues phase-in of the school funding formula for traditional school districts and increases in funding for base costs and per-pupil categorical funding.
• Helps to bridge the charter (community) school funding gap by increasing per pupil funding for high-quality charter schools.
• Creates a new charter equity supplement for all brick-and-mortar charters.
• Increases funding for facilities for charter (community) schools.
• Increases the Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship amounts.
• Qualifies any student with an autism diagnosis for the Autism Scholarship.

To schedule an interview regarding this pending legislation, please contact BLawson@SCOhio.org