Summit County Progressive Democrats -- Donations

Education in Ohio

SCPD Education Team Position Statement [8/19/09]
To compete in the world in the 21st century, every Ohio student must have the opportunity
for a quality education. We believe this is a fundamental right for every Ohio child.
Ohio’s school funding system is currently denying this right. We support revisions to the
State of Ohio school funding system to address this issue by the following:

* Support a system of education administered directly by public school districts; one that is
transparent and accountable to the citizenry and serves all Ohio students with measurable
achievement and success
* Define educational standards and guidelines that research has determined to constitute an
effective education
* Determine the cost of such an education in general and for specific categories based on
students’ needs
* Provide funding based on reduced reliance on property tax and on equity and adequacy for
all students (based on the DeRolph decision and on the Constitutional mandate to provide
funding for public education)
* Ensure that such funding system provides a degree of equity such that poor school
districts can meet or exceed the basic standards and guidelines for a quality education
* Eliminate phantom revenue accounting, unfunded mandates, and other structural
problems, which can disadvantage local school districts
* Provide sufficient funding to assure that all school facilities are adequately maintained
and equipped for future technologies and energy efficiencies
* Promote formal and informal ways of consolidation and cooperation between Ohio’s
school districts to promote efficiency and economy
* Establish a seamless transition between Pre K-12 and higher education; include
provisions for expanded pre-school opportunities and all-day Kindergarten for all children.
*Control and limit the costs of higher education and provide financial support to Ohio
students so they can pursue advanced education; promote higher education linkages to
research and to 21st century job opportunities that attract graduates and a prepared
workforce to live and work in Ohio.