The Ohio Model: How a Nonprofit Advocated for Universal Vouchers
The Ohio voucher movement, which has expanded to cover over 150,000 students and cost taxpayers nearly $1 billion, serves as a model for the broader push for school vouchers nationwide. The movement’s success can be attributed to the efforts of the Center for Christian Virtue, a nonprofit that has played a key role in shaping education policy in the state.
In the early 1990s, Ohio’s Catholic bishops faced a problem. They were losing students to suburban flight and needed to find a way to keep up enrollment. They turned to Republican Governor George Voinovich, a devout Catholic who was sympathetic to their cause. Voinovich proposed vouchers as a solution, and the Ohio legislature passed the plan in 1997.
The program started small, but it quickly expanded to cover all of Ohio’s students. The Center for Christian Virtue played a key role in the expansion, using private correspondence and a network of politicians, church officials, and activists to advocate for the program. The organization’s leaders believed that the separation of church and state was illegitimate and that government should support religious education.
The expansion of vouchers has had a significant impact on public schools in Ohio. Many schools are struggling to maintain enrollment, and some have been forced to close due to budget constraints. Meanwhile, private schools are thriving, with some raising tuition rates and others founding new schools to take advantage of the increased funding.
Despite the challenges facing public schools, the voucher movement continues to grow. Proponents are pushing for universal vouchers nationwide, and President Donald Trump has expressed support for the idea. The movement’s success has been aided by a handful of billionaire advocates, including Jeff Yass, who has made expanding vouchers his central policy goal.
As the debate over vouchers continues, it is important to consider the impact that these programs have on public schools and students. While some argue that vouchers provide families with more options, others argue that they divert funds away from public schools and exacerbate segregation.
In Ohio, the debate has taken on a new level of urgency. A coalition of school districts has filed a lawsuit against the state’s voucher program, alleging that it violates the state constitution and exacerbates racial segregation. A trial is expected in the coming months, and the outcome could have significant implications for the future of education in the state.
The Ohio model has served as a template for voucher advocates across the country. It remains to be seen whether this approach will ultimately benefit students and families, or whether it will further exacerbate the problems that plague our education system.
