The Delman Family of Ohio
Concerned about the state of the public education
system as a whole, Elizabeth and Todd were
thankful that the EdChoice scholarship program
allows their children to obtain an education in an
environment that reflects their religion.
With three children, Elizabeth and Todd Delman face the same kinds of challenges that thousands of Ohio families confront every day. They did not want their children to have to attend public school in Columbus, but they were unsure of how they would be able to afford to send their children to a private school.
Fortunately, the EdChoice program in Ohio allows parents to choose what school they want their children to attend. The publicly funded program was created to provide students from underperforming public schools an opportunity to attend private schools that participate in the program. EdChoice currently provides up to 14,000 scholarships to eligible Ohio students, including two of the Delman children.
Despite having career opportunities elsewhere, the Delmans decided to remain in Ohio, partly because of the EdChoice program. “As soon as we heard about this program, we decided to stay in Columbus. We knew that we wanted a Jewish education for our children, and we know that the public school systems are facing tremendous challenges. In truth, if it weren’t for the program, we would have sought employment opportunities in cities where we have extended family. Our children would most likely be in a Jewish school in some other area of the country,” Todd said.
Todd worries about the state of the public education system as a whole. “In the public school system, there are no easy answers. It will require a leader with a vision and a populace who is patient and can see the goal and the steps being taken to reach that goal,” said Todd. “In the meantime, while the system is so negative, we want our kids to get a good education in a safe atmosphere where they can have positive peers.”
Todd is thankful for EdChoice. He feels fortunate to have a program that allows his children to obtain an education in an environment that reflects their religion. “We feel so lucky, as Americans in the 21st century, to have the freedom to live according to our traditions. Our parents and grandparents did not have it so easy. To miss this opportunity to educate our children according to our heritage would be to ignore the special opportunity of our time.”
