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COLUMBUS, Ohio (September 21, 2010) – The Ohio Department of Education this week released the new list of public schools whose students are eligible for the EdChoice Scholarship. This year’s list, comprised of schools that have been in academic watch or academic emergency for two of the past three years, contains 202 school buildings. All students who attend or will be assigned to attend these schools in the 2011-2012 academic year are eligible to apply in February 2011 for the EdChoice Scholarship to enroll in a private school.
The 202 school buildings are in 28 school districts spread across the state. The new list represents a minimal decrease from the 207 schools that received a similar designation last year. It is estimated that more than 85,000 students attend the eligible public schools.
“Every child in Ohio should have the opportunity to receive a quality education,” said Chad L. Aldis executive director of School Choice Ohio. “Unfortunately, with 85,000 students attending chronically struggling public schools, there is a serious question as to whether all young Ohioans have access to an educational environment that will prepare them for success in life.”
The EdChoice Scholarship, currently in its fifth year of operation, hit a threshold in the spring of 2010. For the first time in its history, the number of scholarship applications exceeded the 14,000-student limit placed on it by statute.
“We saw a waiting list of eligible applicants for the first time this year and, while everyone who wanted a scholarship eventually got one, many of those students did not know of their award until nearly the first day of school,” Aldis said. “With the number of students using the scholarship nearly at the state cap of 14,000, it is a sure bet that, unless something changes, many families who want to use an EdChoice Scholarship to avoid the risk of falling behind at an underperforming public school will not be able to obtain one despite being eligible.”
A student is eligible to apply for the scholarship if he or she:
• Is enrolled in and attending an EdChoice-designated public school building (rated academic watch or academic emergency for two of past three years);
• Is enrolled in a community (charter) school and would otherwise be assigned to one of the EdChoice-designated public school buildings;
• Is enrolled in a regular public school or community school
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