S.B. 89 passes giving families more education alternatives

COLUMBUS – School choice programs with as few strings attached, can ensure private Christian schools do not have to compromise their operating principles in order to enroll in state-sponsored scholarships. After a recent vote, families are thankful the government will not be pulling one more string.

This week, Governor Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 89. Sponsored by Senator Matt Huffman, this new law will allow more families to access to EdChoice Scholarships, with approximately fifty-percent of Ohio students eligible for a scholarship upon enactment. 

“As government schools across Ohio refuse to open to serve children, the Ohio General Assembly and Governor DeWine have taken a significant step to provide more families with more educational options by enacting SB 89,” says Aaron Baer, President of Citizens for Community Values (CCV).

“No student should be stuck in a school that does not meet their needs. SB 89 will ensure more families can access a wide array of educational opportunities.”

Despite more choices for families, the Ohio Education Association opposed the measure.

“School Choice is a winning issue in Ohio. It’s something that benefits all Ohioans across racial, religious, and economic lines. Children throughout the Buckeye State will have a brighter future. As we work towards a day where every family can access a scholarship to attend the school of their choice, SB 89 is another step in the right direction.”

With the passage of SB 89, an EdChoice district will be determined by the number of students who reside in the district and generate Title I funds. If a public school district has at least 20% of students who generate Title I funds, then all students residing in that district will be eligible with one exception: If the school they attend is in the top 80% of the Performance Index in the last two years, then that school building will be exempted from EdChoice.

The bill also grandfathers in K-12 students who were eligible in the 19-20 school year, but for whatever reason did not take a scholarship. In addition, EdChoice Expansion is increased from 200% to 250% of the Federal Poverty Level. Below are the Federal Poverty guidelines for gross household income.

Under this bill, the application window will move from February 1st to March 1st to be in line with the statutory bill effective date.

In the 2019-2020 school year, more than twelve thousand students in Ohio participated in the Income-based Scholarship Program. Nearly five hundred schools in Ohio participate in the program, with the average scholarship amount over $4,200.

See related article: