State of Ohio Archives: on Education


Bernie Moreno: I will fight hard to expand school choice

Quality education (not indoctrination) will solve many of our nation's and state's problems. That is why we need a common-sense approach to education that puts our students first. I will fight hard to expand school choice, support local control of education, ensure that schools receive the resources they need so that every child in our state receives the best possible education, and put an end to classroom indoctrination and the teaching of far-left ideologies, such as critical race theory.
Source: 2022 Ohio Senate campaign website BernieMoreno.com Dec 24, 2021

Bob Taft: Implement system of standards, assessments & accountability

Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Ohio Legislature Jan 24, 2001

Bob Taft: Ohio’s success depends on keeping education as #1 priority

Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Ohio Legislature Jan 24, 2001

Bob Taft: Called for 20,000 reading tutors; program is succeeding

In my Inaugural Address, I called for 20,000 Ohioans to serve as volunteer reading tutors. Frankly, some thought I was setting the bar too high. I did not. I am pleased to report today we have far surpassed our goal - more than 27,000 Ohioans are making a difference by tutoring a child! In spite of all our progress, we cannot rest! We cannot rest until every child learns how to read in elementary school - until every child graduates from high school prepared for college or for the jobs of today.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Ohio Legislature Jan 24, 2001

Charlie Wilson: More funding for teachers

Source: 1998 Ohio Legislative National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 1998

Dennis Kucinich: Charter schools are a multi-billion dollar boondoogle

Dennis Kucinich criticized charter schools as a drain on public funding and public schools. Kucinich called charter schools a "multi-billion dollar boondoogle" that forces Ohioans to subsidize private school education with money that is supposed to go to public schools.

Charter schools are publicly funded, privately operated schools. "If you want to send your kid to a private school, pay for it," Kucinich said. "But don't send your kid to private school and tell the public they have to pay for it."

Kucinich outlined his concerns about charter schools and plans to expand public funding of private schools through vouchers. "They're taking the money out of the public schools," Kucinich said. "And the legislators are getting political contributions hand over fist." He said he and others are looking at "legal options" on how to fight the public funding of charter schools. "It's wide open for lawsuits, which is another thing we are looking at," Kucinich said.

Source: Dayton Daily News on 2018 Ohio gubernatorial race Apr 24, 2017

Eric Fingerhut: Teach abstinence; require exit exams in high schools

Source: Ohio Congressional 2002 National Political Awareness Test Nov 5, 2002

Eric Fingerhut: Better teacher pay; expanded early education

I support an intensive effort to assure that high quality, certified teachers are available in every classroom. This effort would include improvements in teacher training, increase the evaluation of teacher performance and increase salaries. I also support expanding early childhood education.
Source: Ohio Congressional 2002 National Political Awareness Test Nov 5, 2002

Jane Timken: Local control of education, not critical race theory

[On schooling]: "I am very concerned about the effects of Critical Race Theory and other leftist teachings. Moms, dads, and teachers know what is best for our kids in the classroom--not partisan propagandists." Timkin mentioned the 1619 project. Timken says, "We can talk about our history and the great things that have happened and some of the tragic things that have happened, but not through a filter of everything is race."
Source: Chillicothe Gazette on 2022 Ohio Senate race May 7, 2021

Joe Schiavoni: Stop waste in charters, invest in public schools

As Governor, Joe Schiavoni will crack down on for profit-charter schools that waste taxpayer money and fail to properly educate our kids. Increase funding for public schools to give our outstanding public school teachers the tools they need;
Source: 2018 Ohio Governor website JoeForOhio.com Aug 17, 2017

Joe Schiavoni: Make public higher education affordable

As Governor, Schiavoni will make attending a public college or university more affordable.
Source: 2018 Ohio Governor website JoeForOhio.com Aug 17, 2017

Jim Renacci: Top-down, one-size-fits-all approach has proven ineffective

The top down approach to education policy endorsed for so long has proven ineffective, one size does not fit all in this case. Education is a personal experience, and one that is best handled through state, local, and parental involvement. Whether we are talking about early childhood, K-12, or higher education policies, our children and their parents need more opportunity, flexibility, and quality when it comes to education. Streamlining spending, reducing the federal bureaucracies role in education, promoting flexibility and innovation, improving teacher quality, and empowering parents are all a step in the right direction.

Enhanced coordination at the local level and other creative solutions will provide more opportunity for our children. It will take a more intelligent and innovative approach if we are to provide the skills and knowledge necessary for the next generation to succeed.

Source: 2018 Ohio gubernatorial campaign website renacci.house.gov May 2, 2017

Jim Renacci: I strongly support school voucher programs

Q: Do you support federal education standards and testing requirements for K-12 students?

A: No.

Q: Do you support federal funding for charter schools?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support federal funding for K-12 school vouchers?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support the federal government providing college students with financial aid?

A: Yes.

Reacci adds, :I strongly support school voucher programs."

Source: Ohio Congressional 2010 National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 2010

Jim Renacci: Strong historical supporter of vouchers for private schools

Q: Vouchers to send children to private schools with public money?

Sherrod Brown (D): No. Longtime opponent.

Jim Renacci (R): Yes. Strong historical supporter.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Ohio Senate race Oct 9, 2018

Jim Renacci: No role for government to reduce student loan interest rates

Q: Refinance student loans at lower rates, paid for by increasing taxes on high earners (Elizabeth Warren proposal)?

Sherrod Brown (D): Yes. Cosponsored Warren bill. Also supports Pell Grant increase.

Jim Renacci (R): No. Supporter of student loans, but not government's role to keep rates down. Unknown on Pell Grants, but supports tax credits for education spending.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Ohio Senate race Oct 9, 2018

Jim Renacci: Eliminate Common Core, Critical Race Theory

Source: 2021 Ohio Gubernatorial campaign website JimRenacci.com Jun 10, 2021

Joe Schiavoni: Protect students from failing online charter schools

Senate Minority Leader Joe Schiavoni released the following statement regarding an audit of the Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow (ECOT): "ECOT and other online schools have known since at least the beginning of 2015 that they were expected to document when students logged on and logged off. That was clearly spelled out in instructions sent to e-schools regarding ODE's attendance review process. It's shameful that ECOT has the worst graduation rate in the nation while owing taxpayers $60 million. Thankfully, the Department of Education is fulfilling its responsibility to protect students from failing online charter schools that seem more concerned about profits than graduation rates.

"While some online charter schools are doing a good job of educating their students, the evidence is overwhelming that many are not. That's why I introduced Senate Bill 39 to bring more accountability and transparency to Ohio's online charter schools."

Source: OhioSenate.gov on Pennsylvania voting record SB39 Mar 11, 2017

John Kasich: $120 million student debt relief fund; plus online college

They're going along with this idea of two-year schools being able to award a bachelor degree. Unbelievable. And they're going to adopt new online competency-based courses. In other words, if you're a nurse and you're 32 and you want to get a bigger certificate, you're going to be able to go online and get that done. And you'll be able to take those courses and get that degree. You won't even have to sit in a classroom if you've got it all together.

With lower costs, and a freeze on tuition, more students can afford college, hopefully finish without the huge debts. And we have $120 million in this student debt relief fund. Honestly, I think it's like a thimble in the ocean. We know how tough it is. We know you have a lot of debt. We want to do something to help you. It could be related to the fact that if you take an in-demand job and you stay in Ohio for five years, we'll give you the help you want. We think it's absolutely critical.

Source: State of the State address to 2015 Ohio Legislature Feb 24, 2015

Jon Husted: Encourages school/business cooperation on job counseling

[On job counseling]: "Students need to be proactive, moms and dads need to be proactive at helping their sons and daughters get access to this information through their career counselors and so forth so that they can take advantage of the many wonderful job opportunities throughout northwest Ohio," Husted said. "If you're a business, you need to be engaged with your high school or your career center. If you're an educational institution, you need to be engaged with your local business community."
Source: NBC-24 News on 2022 Ohio Gubernatorial race Aug 30, 2021

Josh Mandel: Expand school choice to public, charter, & private schools

Whether it's home-schooling, private schools, public schools or charter schools, I believe the choice of what's best for children should be in the hands of their parents--not some bureaucrat in Columbus. I believe that applying free market principles to the education world will make all ships rise, and ultimately produce stronger, more disciplined and better educated children to compete and succeed in the global marketplace.

I recently had the honor of speaking to thousands of parents and children who were rallying at our Statehouse for the expansion of school choice. Representing various races, religions and socioeconomic classes, these families came from all corners of the state to brave the cold and have their voices heard regarding our fight to expand educational opportunities in Ohio.

This is an issue that should bring together Republicans, Democrats and Independents, as it is foundational to the strength and prosperity of our nation.

Source: Speech at a school choice rally in Columbus, Ohio Mar 22, 2011

Josh Mandel: Local school districts should have autonomy

Many Republicans, including Mandel, have long supported giving local school districts autonomy. Districts across the state adopted a wide range of approaches to in-person instruction. When pressed on the matter, Mandel blamed unions for pressuring districts to keep students at home. "My personal feeling is that moms and dads should drive the decision about kids going back to school, not teacher unions and politicians," he said.
Source: WKYC-3 News on 2022 Ohio Senate race Feb 10, 2021

Josh Mandel: Local school districts should have autonomy

Many Republicans, including Mandel, have long supported giving local school districts autonomy. Districts across the state adopted a wide range of approaches to in-person instruction. When pressed on the matter, Mandel blamed unions for pressuring districts to keep students at home. "My personal feeling is that moms and dads should drive the decision about kids going back to school, not teacher unions and politicians," he said.
Source: WKYC on 2022 Ohio Senate race Apr 18, 2021

Joyce Beatty: Adequately fund Ohio public schools

Q: Please explain what your two main legislative priorities will be if elected, and how you would fund it.

A: My active legislative platform will be:

Source: Ohio Legislative 2000 National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 2000

Lee Fisher: Encourage charters & corporate investment

Source: Ohio Gubernatorial 1998 National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 1998

Matt Dolan: Keep education costs low, champion school choice

Matt has proven to be a leader in the Ohio Senate by designing and delivering a policy agenda that gets results. From fighting to keep the costs of education low, to training Ohio's workforce, championing school choice, and funding our police, Matt has worked to ensure our state remains a national leader protecting personal freedom and upholding the Constitution.
Source: 2021 OH Senate campaign website DolanForOhio.com Sep 21, 2021

Matt Dolan: Ban Critical Race Theory; support academic freedom

I am the only candidate that has a proven record of expanding school choice and standing firmly against the creep of Critical Race Theory into our classrooms. If we empower students and parents, instead of the teachers' unions and special interests, education will flourish in America. That is why I have made support for academic freedom, trade skills and affordability in education a cornerstone of my career. This fall, Dolan will vote in the State Senate to ban critical race theory in Ohio.
Source: 2021 OH Senate campaign website DolanForOhio.com Sep 21, 2021

Michael Pryce: Federal funding for K-12 school vouchers

Q: Do you support federal funding for universal pre-K programs?

A: No.

Q: Do you support federal funding for charter schools?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support federal funding for K-12 school vouchers?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support the federal government providing college students with financial aid?

A: No.

Source: Ohio Congressional Election 2010 Political Courage Test Nov 1, 2010

Mike DeWine: Supports charter schools; supports vouchers

Q: Increase funding for K-12 & pre-K education?

Richard Cordray (D): Yes. Advocates increased funding for universal pre-K ($140 million per year) & more equitable funding of primary & secondary schools.

Mike DeWine (R): Unclear on general K-12. Supports increased pre-K funding, but when in Senate opposed Head Start funding.

Q: Support privately operated but publicly funded charter schools & programs like vouchers which allow parents to help pay for private schools?

Richard Cordray (D): No. "The for-profit charter schools have been a scandal. We've got $70 million missing in Columbus that we're never going to see again."

Mike DeWine (R): Yes. Says charters can be cost efficient & higher performing. Also supports vouchers.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Ohio Governor race Oct 9, 2018

Mike DeWine: Improve college affordability; new STEM funding

Q: Increase state funding for higher education?

Richard Cordray (D): Yes. Proposes free community college for all Ohioans. Expand Columbus State Preferred Pathways program that guarantees admission to partner 4-year colleges & enables students to easil

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Ohio Governor race Oct 9, 2018

Mike Gibbons: Vouchers for school choice

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Vouchers for school choice"?

A: Strongly support

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Ohio Senate candidate Apr 24, 2018

Nan Whaley: Funded universal preschool, expanded to three year olds

Nan knows that the greatest investment we can make is in our children. Nan brought together the ingenuity of business, community, and education leaders to figure out a solution. In 2016, Dayton voters approved their plan to fund universal, high-quality preschool for every four year in the city. It has been so successful that this summer, it was expanded to include all 3 year olds in the city. In just a few short years, we've already seen significant improvement in Dayton students.
Source: 2021 Ohio Gubernatorial campaign website NanWhaley.com Nov 3, 2021

Richard Cordray: Future job skills begin with investment in education system

[On jobs]: In a recent discussion with the former CEO of Google, Governor Kasich accurately referred to this looming crisis as a "tsunami" of job disruption that will require a workforce ready to take on jobs that demand a new skillset, and require advanced training and technological expertise. I couldn't agree more with how urgent this issue is for our state. But we cannot prepare the next generation of workers to succeed if we refuse to fully fund our most powerful tool: our education system.
Source: Cordray OpEd in DailyKos.com on 2018 Ohio gubernatorial race Dec 12, 2017

Richard Cordray: More funding for universal pre-K; no funding charters

Q: Increase funding for K-12 & pre-K education?

Richard Cordray (D): Yes. Advocates increased funding for universal pre-K ($140 million per year) & more equitable funding of primary & secondary schools.

Mike DeWine (R): Unclear on general K-12. Supports increased pre-K funding, but when in Senate opposed Head Start funding.

Q: Support privately operated but publicly funded charter schools & programs like vouchers which allow parents to help pay for private schools?

Richard Cordray (D): No. "The for-profit charter schools have been a scandal. We've got $70 million missing in Columbus that we're never going to see again."

Mike DeWine (R): Yes. Says charters can be cost efficient & higher performing. Also supports vouchers.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Ohio Governor race Oct 9, 2018

Richard Cordray: Free community college for all Ohioans

Q: Increase state funding for higher education?

Richard Cordray (D): Yes. Proposes free community college for all Ohioans. Expand Columbus State Preferred Pathways program that guarantees admission to partner 4-year colleges & enables students to easil

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Ohio Governor race Oct 9, 2018

Sherrod Brown: Longtime opponent of vouchers for private schools

Q: Vouchers to send children to private schools with public money?

Sherrod Brown (D): No. Longtime opponent.

Jim Renacci (R): Yes. Strong historical supporter.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Ohio Senate race Oct 9, 2018

Sherrod Brown: Reduce student loan interest rates; increase Pell Grants

Q: Refinance student loans at lower rates, paid for by increasing taxes on high earners (Elizabeth Warren proposal)?

Sherrod Brown (D): Yes. Cosponsored Warren bill. Also supports Pell Grant increase.

Jim Renacci (R): No. Supporter of student loans, but not government's role to keep rates down. Unknown on Pell Grants, but supports tax credits for education spending.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Ohio Senate race Oct 9, 2018

Ted Strickland: Criticizes $71M in charter school funding for rigged report

State and federal education officials have refused to provide Ohio's application for $71 million in grant money for charter schools. Documents released by the state showed David Hansen, the state's former charter chief, resigned after admitting that he manipulated evaluations of charter-school sponsors to mask the poor performance of some of their schools.

Senate candidate Ted Strickland also has joined a growing list of critics. "If dismal charter school performance isn't enough, we now know that Ohio's State Department of Education was illegally propping them up. In July, Ohio's chief charter school oversight officer--the very person who filled out Ohio's application for your grant money--resigned when it was discovered that he deliberately tampered with charter school sponsor evaluations to mask just how horrible charter schools are actually performing," Strickland wrote. "You just awarded $71 million in taxpayer dollars to a state department of education that has been rigging the books."

Source: Columbus Dispatch on 2016 Ohio Senate race Oct 5, 2015

Tim Ryan: I've pushed for social and emotional learning in our schools

I have pushed for social and emotional learning in our schools, which is having a tremendous impact. ... We're doing a lot to continue to promote this in the military, in the health care system, promoting mindfulness-based stress reduction and encouraging people to get trained in that.
Source: Fox News on 2022 Ohio Senate race Apr 26, 2021

Tim Ryan: People who didn't go to college need help as well

I think a targeted approach right now really does send the wrong message. There's a lot of people out there making 30, 40 grand a year that didn't go to college, and they need help as well, which is why I have been proposing a tax cut for working people that will affect everybody. And with the student loan piece, you could very easily allow them to renegotiate down the interest rates.
Source: CNN SOTU interviews on 2022 Ohio Senate race Aug 28, 2022

Mike DeWine: Expand eligibility for EdChoice scholarship program

Some school officials have told me that they would like to place a School Resource Officer in their school, but simply cannot afford to do so. In this budget, we offer all schools -- public and private -- who want a School Resource Officer, with additional state funding to help them do so.

We also want to do this because, oftentimes, there is a trust that gets built between students and the officer that would not otherwise occur -- but for that officer being in the school each day.

Now, children have unique needs, so we want families to have the opportunity to send their children to a school that best meets those needs. That is why our budget proposal includes an historic investment in the EdChoice scholarship program by expanding eligibility to families at or below 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. This investment will allow more families than ever to take advantage of this scholarship and find the best school for their children.

Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Ohio legislature Jan 31, 2023

Mike DeWine: Use the evidence-based approaches of the Science of Reading

Tragically, today 40 percent of all Ohio 3rd Grade students are not proficient in reading -- 40 percent! There a is great deal of research about how we learn to read. And today, we understand the great value and importance of phonics. Not all literacy curriculums are created equal. In our budget, we are making sure that all Ohio children have access to curriculum that is aligned with the evidence-based approaches of the Science of Reading.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Ohio legislature Jan 31, 2023

Matt Dolan: Expand school choice; stop the creep of Critical Race Theory

I am the only candidate for U.S. Senate that has a proven record of expanding school choice and standing firmly against the creep of Critical Race Theory into Ohio classrooms. If we empower students and parents, instead of unions and special interests, education will flourish in America. That is why I have made support for academic freedom, school choice, trade skills and affordability in education a cornerstone of my career in public service.
Source: 2024 Ohio Senate campaign website DolanForOhio.com Apr 18, 2023

Frank LaRose: Children hurt by the big government education establishment

Children across America are getting a raw deal from the big government education establishment. Education bureaucrats greatly prolonged the suffering of children during the pandemic by scheming to keep schools closed; then they loaded up lesson plans with gender radicalism, climate extremism and anti-American revisionist history; and, when parents complained, they got Joe Biden's FBI to label them "domestic terrorists."

As a state senator, Frank supported school choice, fought for parental rights, and invested in safer classrooms. He beat back the radical education union agendas, and, where schools weren't improving, he made sure parents had access to vouchers that gave them a choice in their child's education. Typically, failing schools plead for bigger budgets just to give pay increases to staff while kids get little or nothing in the classroom.

Source: 2024 Ohio Senate campaign website FrankLaRose.com Jul 25, 2023

Mike DeWine: Future teachers must switch to the Science of Reading

As our K through 12 schools move to the Science of Reading, our colleges and our universities that prepare our future teachers also must make that switch. So today, I am calling on every college and university President in Ohio -- every Provost, every Dean of a College of Education -- to immediately align their teacher training programs with what we know works -- and that -- that is the Science of Reading.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Ohio legislature Apr 10, 2024

Bernie Moreno: Stop bailout for rich kids (no student loan forgiveness)

Source: Guides.vote candidate survey on 2024 Ohio Senate race Aug 8, 2024

Sherrod Brown: Cancel student debt: NOW is the time

Source: Guides.vote candidate survey on 2024 Ohio Senate race Aug 8, 2024

Frank LaRose: Forgiving student loans shifts financial burden

Q: Student loan forgiveness unfairly shifts the financial burden to those not responsible for student debt?

A: Strongly Agree

Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2024 Ohio Senate race Mar 19, 2024

Mike DeWine: Time to put driver's education back into our high schools

Schools are the logical and most accessible places for teens to learn how to drive. Our budget helps schools partner with independent driver training schools or start their own driver training programs. We're going to make driver training affordable. We're going to bring it directly to students. We're going to enable teenagers to get jobs and internships. And, we are going to save lives. It is time to put driver's education back into our high schools!
Source: 2025 State of the State Address to the Ohio legislature Mar 12, 2025

Amy Acton: Get control of the opaque private school voucher system

As Governor, I will restore public school funding to a constitutional level, get control of the opaque private school voucher system with runaway costs, and use those savings to invest in students, teachers and proven best practices to make Ohio a national leader in education once again.
Source: 2026 Ohio Governor campaign website ActonForGovernor.com Dec 31, 2025

  • The above quotations are from State of Ohio Politicians: Archives.
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2024 Presidential contenders on Education:
  Candidates for President & Vice-President:
V.P.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.(I-CA)
Chase Oliver(L-GA)
Dr.Jill Stein(D-MA)
Former Pres.Donald Trump(R-FL)
Sen.J.D.Vance(R-OH)
Gov.Tim Walz(D-MN)
Dr.Cornel West(I-NJ)

2024 presidential primary contenders:
Pres.Joe_Biden(D-DE)
N.D.Gov.Doug Burgum(R)
N.J.Gov.Chris_Christie(R)
Fla.Gov.Ron_DeSantis(R)
S.C.Gov.Nikki_Haley(R)
Ark.Gov.Asa_Hutchinson(R)
Former V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
U.S.Rep.Dean_Phillips(D-MN)
Vivek_Ramaswamy(R-OH)
S.C.Sen.Tim_Scott(R)
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