Charter schools and vouchers are obviously not the solution to the underfunded common school system.
In 1997 the Ohio Supreme Court ruled Ohio’s elementary and secondary schools are neither thorough nor efficient; hence, unconstitutional. The Court determined that the operation of the school foundation formula and the overemphasis of property tax in the formula are problematic.
The state’s response, for 26 years, has been to neglect the public system and to accelerate funding for vouchers and charters. Now that these alternatives have gotten a foothold in the education scene, the privatization lobby is demanding higher levels of funding for the alternatives.
The state’s response to the DeRolph school funding decision borders on being humorous, except that it has serious consequences for students. The state’s response is to take funds away from the underfunded, constitutionally-required public school system to establish and fund private systems that lessen the capacity of the constitutionally-required system. This strategy is as absurd as removing food from a malnourished child.
Learn about EdChoice Vouchers: An Existential Threat to Public Schools
VOUCHERS HURT OHIO