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Enacted 1995, Began Operation 1996-97
| FAST FACTS |
- 6,195 students received vouchers in 2007-08
- Voucher worth up to $3,450
- U.S. Supreme Court up held the program in 2002
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Families who live within the boundaries of the Cleveland Municipal School District are eligible to use a voucher to send their children to private school. The voucher also may be used at public schools bordering the school district, but currently no public schools have chosen to participate. No more than half of new recipients may be students previously enrolled in private schools. In addition, the state gives tutorial grants to public school students for services beyond those provided by public schools.
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| Scholarship or Voucher Value: |
The maximum voucher value is $3,450. Families with incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty level receive scholarships worth 90 percent of tuition, while families above the 200 percent level receive scholarships worth 75 percent of tuition. Parents agree to either pay the remaining tuition or volunteer equivalent hours of service at their child’s school. Children with special needs may receive larger scholarships, based on need. Tutorial grants are worth up to 20 percent of the average basic voucher amount; starting in 2006-07 they are worth up to $400.
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| Student or School Participation: |
6,195 students received vouchers in 2007-08. Forty-five private schools are participating.
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| Student Eligibility: |
Children must be in grades K-8 when they first apply for the voucher; if they fail to apply by eighth grade, they may not enter the program later. Once students are in the program, they may continue to receive the voucher through grade 12. They must live within the Cleveland school district. Priority is given to families with incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty level ($40,598 for a family of four in 2006). Children from families with incomes above 200 percent of poverty are eligible only if funds are available. Participating private schools must accept voucher students on a random basis, giving preference to low-income students if they have more applicants than open seats.
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| Legal Status of Program: |
On June 27, 2002, after years of fighting the case in state and federal courts, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Cleveland voucher program does not violate the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The court ruled that school choice programs are constitutional when they give parents a truly independent choice of schools among a wide array of options without favoring or disfavoring religion.
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| Regulations on the Program: |
Participating schools must have classes of at least 10 students each or a total of at least 25 students in the school. They may not discriminate on the basis of race, religion or ethnicity, nor may they advocate hateful or unlawful behavior. The schools must be registered with the state, attain minimal enrollment requirements and meet Ohio’s minimum standards for chartered non-public schools.
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| Research on Program: |
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| News on Program: |
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| Governing Statutes: |
Ohio Revised Code, Sections 3313.974-3313.979 |
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