Number of Educational Choice Scholarship Applicants Exceeds Available Vouchers

COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- For the second year in a row, more students have applied for the Educational Choice Scholarship (EdChoice) Program than can receive vouchers.  

The application period for the 2011-2012 school year is now closed, and the Ohio Department of Education reported that parents of 15,397 students applied for their children to receive a school voucher. Of the applicants, 11,941 are renewals and 3,456 are new applicants. State policy currently allows for 14,000 students to receive vouchers.

"Each year, we are seeing more families across Ohio demand educational choices for their children, and there aren't currently enough vouchers to meet that demand," said School Choice Ohio Executive Director Chad Aldis. "Parents seeking the best education possible for their children shouldn't be forced to rely on a lottery or a waiting list."

The EdChoice program is one of the nation's largest voucher programs. The high demand for this program highlights the importance of Governor John Kasich's recent proposal to quadruple the number of school vouchers available in the state and stresses the need for additional school choice expansion.

"We applaud Governor Kasich's recent proposal to expand school choice, and we ask that he continue to fight so that all children in Ohio who are struggling have access to an education that best fits their learning needs," said Aldis.

EdChoice scholarships are worth up to $4,250 per year at the elementary and middle school level and up to $5,000 per year at the high school level. Once a student receives a scholarship, he or she can continue to renew the scholarship through high school graduation.

For more information about Ohio's educational choices, visit www.scohio.org.

SOURCE School Choice Ohio

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