By Dr. Mark Smith
President, Ohio Christian University
Member, Ohio State Board of Education
Advisory Board Member, Renewanation
O
HIO MAY VERY WELL BE THE NEW LEADER in
parental choice with strong support from the state
board of education. Over the last few years the governor,
legislature, and state board of education has helped over
150,000 students be able to attend public charter or private
schools, according to the Akron Beacon Journal. The state
board of education is made up of a majority of parental
choice advocates who believe in local control and that
parents should be deciding what is best for their children.
More than 1 billion dollars of the budget are supporting
parental choice vouchers and charter schools, according to
this recent Ohio newspaper article. 1
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Last year, Ohio implemented its fifth voucher program,
EdChoice, and now has more programs than any other state.
It has close to 30,000 students in voucher programs, which
is in the top 5 of states. The state board is currently look-
ing to expand educational choice dollars to homeschoolers
who take college post secondary courses. Many advocates
are working to promote this cause. Parental choice is a top
priority in Ohio and you can expect to see increasing oppor-
tunities for all ages.
Editorial Note: States all across the country are becoming
increasingly supportive of school choice legislation for
K-12 students. When parents choose where their child
attends school, both parent and child tend to be happier, the
competition created forces schools to improve, and savings
provided to the education budget and taxpayer is significant.
Renewanation promotes parental choice in education and
promotes education that leads to a Christian worldview.
Learn more at renewanation.org.
1 http://www.ohio.com/news/local/ohio-school-choice-movement-hinges-on-
whether-parents-are-capable-of-parenting-1.445267
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