Ohio's Public Schools and Public Opinion

         An April 29-May 8 survey of public opinion in Ohio is the latest in a long series reporting the public has serious doubts about its public schools.  Nearly a majority of citizens, 43%, think an Ohio high school diploma doesn't "guarantee that the typical student has learned the basics" much less is competent. 

         Less than a minority favors increased funding, the public school's proposed cure for all problems, but a solid majority, 71%, thinks it  would "get lost along the way." Only 21% think additional dollars would both reach the classroom and improve education.  In what would have been a rare view not many years ago, nearly two-thirds of the Ohio public believes per pupil funding not only should differ for each child's individual needs but the dollars should follow the child to the school he or she attends.

         This is further strengthened by a majority of the public's support for the state's private school voucher program and their corresponding rejection, by 69%, of the governor's proposal to eliminate the statewide school voucher program except in Cleveland.  To the contrary, 60% would expand the voucher program so all children would be eligible, not just those in failing schools.  

         This is consistent with growing support, which is across the nation generally, not just in Ohio, for various versions of school choice.  For example, not only does a majority support charter schools but nearly three-fourths of those interviewed said they should receive the same funding and resources as conventional public schools.

         The degree of negative findings should not come as a surprise to either defenders or critics of the public system since voters earlier this month rejected close to 70% of new school operating and capital levies on the ballot.

         Still, support is not all good news for reformers either.  Despite general support for both charter schools and vouchers only 19% said they are well informed about charter schools while 69% said they know little or nothing about the state's school voucher program.  This demonstrates a clear need for advocates of these programs to undertake a plan so the public will not only continue to support these reforms but will have the knowledge to explain why they do so.

         This won't be easy.  To a large degree the general media are quicker to report what the school establishment says than they are about educational alternatives.  Sometimes they don't even know who to approach for information about reforms while the local superintendents, school board presidents and members, and presidents of the teacher unions are well known and generally readily available to promote their causes.

         The survey was commissioned by The Thomas B. Fordham Institute in Dayton, Ohio and, along with responses to it, can be viewed and downloaded at