Ohio's school funding gap has decreased, according to a report released last month by the Education Trust, but Ohio's Appalachian schools still receive less funding on average.
The Education Trust, an independent, nonprofit organization that works nationwide to decrease the funding gap among school districts, released its seventh annual report, which includes a state-by-state analysis of state and local funding trends from school years 1999 to 2005, according to its Web site.
The report found that Ohio is one of ten states that decreased the funding gap between school districts with more families living in poverty and districts with fewer impoverished families. The U.S. Census Bureau determines poverty yearly by setting a threshold, or minimum income based on the number of children, adults and senior citizens in a family unit. If the family's actual income is below that threshold, the family is considered impoverished. -
but there's still a long way to go Fisher said.
The different results could be explained by the research methods of each group, Fisher said. The Education Trust report gathered data from the Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Education, which looked at all Ohio schools during academic years. The data gathered by the coalition compared the 127 school districts in the Appalachian region to the entire state of Ohio during fiscal years; those data came from the Ohio Department of Education.
Urban cities like Cleveland and Columbus have more poverty-stricken families than the Appalachian region, which means they would receive more state aid. Urban cities also have high property taxes and therefore receive more funds than rural areas that have a low property tax, he said.
Unfortunately (in Ohio) the quality of education depends on where you live Fisher said. Suburban areas have businesses and industry
which means they have richer communities who can afford a higher standard of education.
The funding gap increased by $20 on average between fiscal years 2005 and 2006 for schools in the Appalachian region but has decreased by $44 from fiscal years 2000 to 2006, according to the data compiled by the coalition.
A $20 increase in the funding gap could mean cutting curriculum, including Advanced Placement courses, physical education and art classes, said Councilwoman Debbie Phillips, D-4th Ward, executive director of the Ohio Fair Schools campaign.
The (Education Trust) report provides a useful perspective in comparison to other states
she said. But there is still funding inequity especially with rural schools around here.
The coalition and the Ohio Fair Schools Campaign work to improve education within the Appalachian region.
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Jessica Neidhard
