Ohio Director
(Agudath Israel News)
The Ohio Department of Education recently released their annual list of public schools considered to be “low-performing”. Any child who attended or (in some cases) would otherwise be assigned to one of the designated public schools can receive an EdChoice Scholarship in 2014-15 to attend the private school of their choice through 12th grade. More families will be able to receive a scholarship next year as the new list showed an increase in the number of affected public schools.
Another reason for an increase in eligibility is a pair of laws which passed this summer. One clause added eligibility for students who had never previously attended school in Ohio and would otherwise be assigned to a low-performing school. Besides for students entering kindergarten, this would also include families moving to Ohio or those who previously home schooled their children. This new policy means that those students can now receive a voucher without being forced to first attend a low-
Chavi Cohen says
Does this specifically affect those living in Cleveland Heights? Does the Agudah anticipate that families slated to attend Noble Elementary School in Cleveland Heights will be eligible for vouchers in the 14-15 school year?
Chana says
Chavi, only Oxford and Monticello are on the “low-performing” list, unfortunately.
Here’s the list:
http://education.ohio.gov/getattachment/Topics/Other-Resources/Scholarships/EdChoice-Scholarship-Program/EdChoice-Designated-Public-Schools-14-15.pdf.aspx
Here’s more info about the EdChoice program:
http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Other-Resources/Scholarships/EdChoice-Scholarship-Program
National Director says
The income-based voucher is open to residents anywhere in Ohio who meet the income requirements and have children entering K or 1st grade. The “failing schools” voucher is not open to students attending, or assigned to Noble in 2014-15. If anyone has specific questions, please contact Rabbi Yitz Frank directly.