Ohio – A growing debate is unfolding in Ohio over a simple question: if taxpayers are providing billions of dollars to private and religious schools, shouldn’t those schools be held to the same standards of transparency and accountability as public schools?
That question has moved to the center of state politics after lawmakers introduced a bipartisan proposal aimed at increasing oversight of Ohio’s rapidly expanding private school voucher programs. The effort comes as Ohio taxpayers now provide roughly $2.5 billion to private and religious schools, while public school districts continue dealing with the effects of a reported $3 billion budget shortfall.
Supporters of the proposal argue that the issue is not whether private schools should exist or whether parents should have educational choices. Instead, they say the focus should be on accountability whenever public money is involved…