88,000 Ohio Children Eligible for School Vouchers Next Year; Enrollment for Program Starts Today

(Columbus, Ohio, February 1, 2010) 

More than 88,000 children in 205 underperforming public schools across Ohio are eligible to receive school vouchers to attend private schools next year—and, beginning today, parents can apply to receive the vouchers.

Enrollment for the Educational Choice Scholarship (EdChoice) for the 2010-2011 school year, begins today (Monday, February 1, 2010). The EdChoice Scholarship – which provides a statefunded scholarship for use at a private school – is available to students in the state’s lowest-rated public schools. Schools are considered low-rated if they have been in academic watch or academic emergency for at least two of the past three years.

The enrollment period runs from February 1, 2010 through April 16, 2010.

The scholarships are worth up to $4,250 per year at the elementary and middle school level and up to $5,000 per year at the high school level. More than 300 private schools statewide are registered to accept the scholarship. Once a student obtains a scholarship, she or he can continue to renew the scholarship through high school graduation.

The EdChoice program has generated tremendous interest from parents with scholarship use growing from just under 3,000 the first year to more than 11,500 student recipients during the current year.

"This scholarship continues to be an incredibly popular option for parents," said Chad L. Aldis, executive director of School Choice Ohio. "In a time when the resources of many families are stretched thin, the scholarship can be a lifeline for parents trying to get their child into a school where they feel they can be successful."

Interested parents can call the School Choice Ohio toll-free hotline (1-800-673-5876) for more information on eligibility, guidance on how to apply, and a list of participating private schools. Information can also be found on the web at www.scohio.org.

# # # MEDIA SERVICES
School Choice Ohio is available to provide assistance to members of the media who seek to cover the EdChoice program. For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact:
Chad L. Aldis, Executive Director (614) 223-1555 caldis@scohio.org

Interviewing Parents & Students
School Choice Ohio can arrange interviews with members of the media and parents who receive EdChoice vouchers for their children. These parents can discuss the application process and the benefits of the EdChoice program. Parents are available in the following cities:

• Cincinnati
• Columbus
• Dayton
• Mansfield
• Toledo

Find Out If Your Local Schools Qualify
To see if your local public school is underperforming and qualifies children for EdChoice vouchers, download the list at www.SCOHIO.org or use this direct link:

http://www.scohio.org/PDF/ECEligiblePublicSchools10-11-1-20-10.pdf

You can also visit www.SCOHIO.org to download a list of eligible private schools.

About School Choice Ohio
School Choice Ohio (SCO) is committed to the goal of every child in Ohio having access to a quality education. Because this is not yet a reality, the organization works tirelessly to educate both the public and our leaders on the importance of empowering parents to find the best educational setting for the needs of their children. SCO believes that all parents should have the opportunity to choose which school is best for their children, regardless of their income level.