Ohio has joined a growing wave of states embracing school choice, significantly broadening its voucher program to encompass more families. This move is part of a larger trend, with eight states adopting comprehensive school choice policies in just two years, signaling a potential shift in the educational landscape.

Governor Mike DeWine recently signed an $86 billion budget that incorporates these pro-school choice measures. Ohio now aligns with states like Arizona, West Virginia, Iowa, Utah, Arkansas, Florida, and Oklahoma, all of which have enacted similar legislation recently. This expansion permits families earning up to 450% of the federal poverty level (equivalent to $135,000 for a family of four) to apply for educational scholarships. The previous limit was 250% of the poverty line, demonstrating a substantial increase in accessibility.

Scholarship amounts have also risen by 12%, mirroring the increase allocated to public schools. K-8 students can receive up to approximately $6,200, while high school students can receive up to $8,400. These funds can be used for private school tuition or homeschooling expenses. The actual amount awarded is income-dependent, but it will never fall below 10% of the full scholarship value.

Experts see this as a significant victory for parental empowerment in education. Jason Bedrick, a research fellow at the Heritage Foundation's Center for Education Policy, commended Governor DeWine and Ohio lawmakers for prioritizing families' educational choices. He emphasized the importance of aligning learning environments with family values and individual student needs.

To streamline the application process, families can verify their income through existing participation in state or federal income-based programs. Alternatively, they can submit an affidavit confirming their eligibility or provide supplementary information requested by the Department of Education. Currently, the EdChoice program, benefiting over 60,000 students, has an annual cost of around $350 million. School vouchers were first introduced in Cleveland in 1996 and expanded statewide in 2005, marking a long history of school choice initiatives in Ohio.