Toledo Parents to Hold Press Conference Calling for Relief from Failing Public Schools

COLUMBUS, Ohio (February 7, 2019) – Citizens for Community Values and parents will hold a press conference on February 13, 2018, at the Heatherdowns Branch Library. Parents, students, teachers, school officials and school choice supporters from the area are expected to be in attendance. Parents and students will share their stories and urge members of the Ohio Legislature to support allowing current 8th grade students to access an EdChoice Scholarship regardless of where they attended elementary school because of the current state of Toledo Public Schools (TPS).What: Press ConferenceWhen: Wednesday, February 139:30am-10:30amWhere: Heatherdowns Branch Library3265 Glanzman Rd, Toledo, OHWho: Parents of area private schools students assigned to failing Toledo Public High SchoolsOhio Christian Education NetworkCitizens for Community ValuesAll of the Toledo Public (TPS) high schools are designated on the EdChoice list. 5 of the 6 Toledo Public Schools high schools have been rated “F”, with Bowsher receiving an overall “D” grade. Public school students are eligible to access a state-funded scholarship worth up to $6,000 towards tuition at an area private school. However, students currently attending a private school without an EdChoice scholarship are not eligible for this same scholarship. Parents are gathering to urge their state representatives to take action and allow them access to the EdChoice program along with their neighbors.The press conference is open to all students and parents affected by the EdChoice designation of the area Toledo public high schools.School Choice FactsIn 1996, the first state scholarship in Ohio was created as a result of a dire need to help students in Cleveland access a better education. The program was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court and determined to be constitutional. Later in 2005, the first statewide scholarship program, EdChoice, was created to help students access a scholarship to attend a private school if their assigned school was low performing, as designated by the Ohio Department of Education. Colloquially dubbed the “failing schools model,” this provided an option for students to access an education that best meets their needs. Later, in 2013, as part of the FY14/15 state biennial budget, Governor Kasich expanded the EdChoice program to low-income students, giving them the opportunity to receive a state-funded scholarship to attend a private school of their choosing. As of the 2018-19 school year, there are more than 1.65M students in traditional public schools in Ohio. Approximately 34,000 EdChoice and Expansion scholarships are awarded annually.For questions, contact Averel Meden at averelmeden@ccv.org or 614.558.2994, or Citizens for Community Values at info@ccv.org or 513.733.5775.

The Ohio Christian Education Network is a project of CCV that protects the religious liberty of Christian schools, and ensures every Ohio family has access to a Gospel-centered education.

As Ohio’s Family Policy Council, Citizens for Community Values seeks the good of our neighbors throughout Ohio by advocating for public policy that reflects the truth of the Gospel. We endeavor to create an Ohio where God’s blessings of life, family, and religious freedom are treasured, respected, and protected.

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