Education

Parents—the first and most important educators—have a fundamental right to choose the education best suited to the needs of their children, including public, private and religious schools. Government, through such means as tax credits and publicly funded scholarships, should help provide resources for parents, especially those of modest means, to exercise this basic right without discrimination.

Over the years, the Ohio General Assembly and Ohio’s Governors have provided tax-supported assistance for pupils attending Catholic and other chartered nonpublic schools. Ohio’s elected officials have allocated funds for resources such as textbooks, tutoring, bus transportation, counseling and psychological services, administrative support, computer hardware and software, and teacher training. The Ohio EdChoice Scholarship Program, Cleveland Scholarship and Tutoring Program, and Autism Scholarship Program help make Catholic school education possible for families and students with special needs.

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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Sign up for Catholic Conference Legislative Advocacy Day and Legislative Reception, April 29, 2009, Trinity Church & State House. A select meeting will occur at 3 PM regarding healthcare issues in HB 1 (Budget bill). Key legislators and administrators are expected to attend. [Learn More]

Catholic Conference of Ohio's Education Talking Points on HB 1 (State budget bill)

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HB 1, the Governor’s budget proposal, includes a 1.9% increase in Administrative Cost Reimbursement and the Auxiliary Services from our current operating allocation.

The EdChoice and Cleveland Scholarship Programs are proposed for funding in FY10 and FY11 at their current levels. The Autism Scholarship Program also is retained.

The Governor’s education reform proposal (primarily impacting public schools and the funding of public education) is included in the budget bill. This package will undergo extensive study. Issues of concern include the fairness of the proposed funding formula, the components of that formula, and sources of funding; pupil-teacher ratios; all -day kindergarten; lengthened school year; changed graduation requirements; and increased requirements for obtaining a teaching license.

The Catholic Conference of Ohio will continue to advocate for fair and adequate funding for tax-supported programs that benefit students attending chartered nonpublic schools, and for provisions that allow chartered nonpublic schools to access all allocated funds.

The Conference also will monitor proposed legislation that has the potential for impacting students, families, and educators in Catholic and other nonpublic schools.

SB 6: creates Special Ed Scholarship Program (Support)
HB 26: bans corporal punishment in all schools (Support)
SB 59: establishes standards for K-12 health education (Monitor)

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RESOURCES

Ohio's Education Reform Plan, ODE. Includes the Ohio Department of Education's Testimony on HB 1.

Education Reform Analysis, Ohio Dept. Budget and Management

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What's Happening in Ohio (2007). DVD explaining Ohio tax-supported assistance to students in Catholic schools. Features Ohio Catholic school students and adults.
North version. Features persons from the Dioceses of Toledo, Cleveland and Youngstown.
South version. Features persons from the Dioceses of Cincinnati, Columbus, and Steubenville
Legislative version. Shortened version targeted at Legislative leaders.

Hosting a School Visit with your elected officials

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Catholic School Office, Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Catholic Education Office, Diocese Cleveland
Catholic Schools Office, Diocese of Columbus
Office Christian Formation, Diocese of Steubenville
Catholic Schools Office, Diocese Toledo
Office of Catholic Schools, Diocese of Youngstown

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Ohio Dept. Education

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CONTACTS

The Catholic Conference of Ohio's Department on Education serves those involved in Catholic elementary and secondary schools, religious education, youth and young adult ministry, and college campus ministry. Those meeting as groups on a regular basis include the Diocesan Directors of Campus Ministry, the Diocesan Directors of Religious Education, Superintendents of Schools, and Diocesan Directors of Youth and Young Adult Ministry. Each of these groups uses the Conference as a forum for planning, discussion, cooperative action and professional growth.

STAFF CONTACT: Larry Keough (lkeough@ohiocathconf.org)