Bill would hold charter schools accountable

June 22, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

COLUMBUS

Charter schools that earn lower ratings on state report cards than nearby public schools would be prohibited from admitting students who live in those districts, under legislation being considered in the Ohio Senate.

Sen. Joe Schiavoni, a Democrat from Canfield, said he offered Senate Bill 175 to hold community schools that receive public funding accountable to Ohio taxpayers.

“This bill would allow students to enroll in community schools only if that school has an equal or better performance rating than the student’s assigned public school of residence,” Schiavoni said. “Meaning community schools that consistently receive failing grades and provide a substandard education to students will not be rewarded with more taxpayer money.”

The legislation, which had its first hearing Tuesday before the Senate’s education committee, includes two exceptions. Students who are disabled could still be admitted to charter schools with worst ratings than available public schools. And students could attend community schools if the principal of their public school agrees to the change.

Schiavoni said he introduced the bill following discussions with school superintendents in his district.

“Of the 14 traditional public schools in Mahoning County, 11 are rated as ‘excellent’ despite yearly budget cuts,” he said. “However, these ‘excellent’ public schools continue to lose funding to charter schools whose educational track record is inferior.”