Ohio has five major K-12 education systems:
Public Schools, Charter Schools, Private Schools, Religious/Parochial Schools, Homeschool
Public Schools, Charter Schools, Private Schools, Religious/Parochial Schools, Homeschool
More at Ohio Department of Education
Public Schools Public schools are tuition-free schools located in community where the student resides. All children of school age in Ohio are entitled to attend the public schools of the district of their school residence. 90% of Ohio students attend public schools. Public schools are funded by federal, state, and public taxes. |
Community (Charter) Schools These are nonprofit, nonreligious, tuition-free public schools available to Ohio residents. Community schools are independent of traditional public school districts and can be in a physical building or online. Enrollment does not require permission from the home school district. Community schools are funded with state and federal funds. |
Chartered Nonpublic (Private) Schools These are tuition-based, private schools that hold a valid charter issued by the State Board of Education. Ohio provides voucher funding for eligible students. These schools maintain compliance with Ohio Operating Standards and are eligible for student transportation services. Private schools are not funded by state and local taxes. |
Non-Chartered, Non-Tax Supported Schools (Parochial/Religious) These schools are tuition-based schools that choose not to be chartered by the State Board of Education because of truly held religious beliefs. Parochial/religious schools are not funded with state and local taxes. |
Homeschooling This is a tuition-free option for families who choose to educate their student and select curriculum and course of study. Families must notify their school district superintendent and meet state requirements to home school. Students are excused from compulsory attendance. Homeschooling is not funded by the state. However, families receive tax credits and students are eligible for CCP, ACE, and EdChoice vouchers. |
How are Ohio K-12 public schools funded?
More at CHUH Public Schools
Ohio public schools are funded in three ways:
- Federal Government Funds: Federal funds are usually on a grant or mandated system
- State Funds: State funds are based on the State Foundation Formula which calculates a district's ability to raise local taxes and the minimum cost of educating a student (this funding system was ruled unconstitutional by the Ohio Supreme Court in 1997)
- Local Support Funds: Local funds are derived from local property taxes, based on property appraisals
Taxes & School Funding
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Factors influencing school funding
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Fair school funding in Ohio is incomplete.
So what's next?
Making the system work well is a work in progress. Honesty for Ohio Education advocates for complete, and completely constitutional, funding for Ohio's schools. The work ahead will take place in two categories:
We must make sure funding for Ohio's schools is always constitutional, and is always funded in full. |
We must make sure funding for Ohio's schools accounts for the variations and needs of our students and communities. |
Timeline of Ohio's Education Systems
1803
Ohio was founded as a state, with a population of 45,000 residents.
Ohio was founded as a state, with a population of 45,000 residents.
1825
The first system of local schools was established in Ohio, and was financed by property taxes.
The first system of local schools was established in Ohio, and was financed by property taxes.
1851
The Ohio State Constitution establishes the requirement of a "thorough and efficient system of common schools."
See Ohio Revised Code HERE.
The Ohio State Constitution establishes the requirement of a "thorough and efficient system of common schools."
See Ohio Revised Code HERE.
1934
After the Great Depression, Ohio allocated a sales tax to help fund education for the first time.
After the Great Depression, Ohio allocated a sales tax to help fund education for the first time.
1975
The Ohio Lottery was founded, with the stipulation that some proceeds go toward funding education; this has not resulted in improved funding for Ohio's schools.
Learn more HERE.
The Ohio Lottery was founded, with the stipulation that some proceeds go toward funding education; this has not resulted in improved funding for Ohio's schools.
Learn more HERE.
1976
HB 920 passed the Ohio legislature, freezing the way property taxes are assessed for education funding without adjustments for inflation; this is part of why Ohio local school districts must regularly place a levy on the ballot asking for voters to support their local schools.
Learn more HERE.
HB 920 passed the Ohio legislature, freezing the way property taxes are assessed for education funding without adjustments for inflation; this is part of why Ohio local school districts must regularly place a levy on the ballot asking for voters to support their local schools.
Learn more HERE.
1991
The DeRolph v. State case was filed in Ohio, alleging that some school districts are inequitably funded, and therefore providing inequitable education to some Ohio students.
Learn more HERE.
The DeRolph v. State case was filed in Ohio, alleging that some school districts are inequitably funded, and therefore providing inequitable education to some Ohio students.
Learn more HERE.
1997
The Ohio Supreme Court found that Ohio's schools are funded unconstitutionally. In total, four rulings are issued with that same finding.
Learn more HERE.
The Ohio Supreme Court found that Ohio's schools are funded unconstitutionally. In total, four rulings are issued with that same finding.
Learn more HERE.
Find additional history on Ohio's school funding HERE.