Abstract: The spread of charter schools in Ohio has been steady and strong, making the state the sixth largest charter school state in the nation. In 2003-04, Ohio’s charter schools served approximately 46,000 students, or roughly 2.5 percent of the state's 1.8 million students. This document examines charter schooling in the state, detailing the history, current status, challenges, and the future of the charter school effort there. Available academic achievement information on the state’s charters presents a mixed and incomplete picture. The charter school movement is faced with numerous challenges including political opposition, lack of funding, too few viable and motivated sponsors, and lack of useful data. The author offers numerous recommendations including increase funding; promote and protect “mom and pop” charters; encourage proven charter models to enter the state; require useful, timely data; and, improve political support and advocacy.
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