State Data: Charters Cost Districts Big Money
The Ohio Department of Education released its most up-to-date school finance data Friday that shows Charter Schools costing districts big money, while thoroughly de-bunking the myth that the state money simply "follows the child" to the Charter School. The data don't include losses to Voucher programs or Open Enrollment, which also dramatically affect district bottom lines.
I have posted the spreadsheet here. The raw data comes from the Department, while the per pupil calculations are my own.
All tolled, the per pupil cut districts take after Charters get their payments costs them $264 million in direct state payments. This means that the $771 million now leaving districts for Charters removes so much state money it actually reduces the per pupil amount the state has to provide for the kids who remain at the traditional schools. In Ohio, only 23 of the more than 300 Charters would rate in the top half of all school districts on the Performance Index Score. According to
I have posted the spreadsheet here. The raw data comes from the Department, while the per pupil calculations are my own.
All tolled, the per pupil cut districts take after Charters get their payments costs them $264 million in direct state payments. This means that the $771 million now leaving districts for Charters removes so much state money it actually reduces the per pupil amount the state has to provide for the kids who remain at the traditional schools. In Ohio, only 23 of the more than 300 Charters would rate in the top half of all school districts on the Performance Index Score. According to
