A closer look at our schools

By State Senator Ron Amstutz

Letter to Daily Record readers, [published 10/22/2006]

[Links to source documents are provided in this online version of the letter.]

Ohio’s funding of its schools and their academic performances have been the subject of recent criticism, both in Daily Record reporting and reader commentary.

It is the season for political elections and some of this is tangled in all the finger pointing and mud-slinging that is frustrating most of us.

So I’ll take a different approach to this very important topic.

I’ve not made a survey of national studies, but I’m aware of two of them. What they show may shock we, the readers, who are constantly bombarded with messages about how terrible Ohio and its schools are these days.

Education Week provides regular analysis of the K-12 scene to those who are willing to register for free. According to this source, Ohio’s 50-state ranking is:

• 15^th highest in average teacher salary, as of 2002-2003.

• 20^th nationally in school spending per student, adjusted for regional cost differences, as of 2002.

The most recent report card publication of the American Legislative Exchange Council shows: [download 214-page report]

• Ohio is fourth from the top in percentage increase in constant dollar spending per student between the 1983-84 school year and 2003-04. The increase was 117.84 percent, after adjusting downward for inflation.

• Ohio’s rank in spending per student as of the 2003-04 school year was 14^th from the top in the nation. This does not adjust for regional cost differences.

I do agree with those who may be thinking that we should focus less on funding and more on how we’re doing academically.

So, on the academic side:

• Ohio is ranked 14^th from top in the nation, based on 2003 academic achievement, as reported in the ALEC study.

• We are 10^th highest in high school graduation rates, as of 2002, according to Education Week data.

Most readers would see all these indicators as positive for Ohio.

But neither candidates for public office, nor readers, should be too quick to credit or blame government officials for these numbers – especially the result measures.

How we’re doing academically is driven mostly by the daily struggles of families and schools at the community level, not by elected officials in Columbus or Washington.

But its election season and the political fights are at a fevered pitch. Most of the finger pointing is fueled by perceptions that have been formed by years of statements repeated over and over, even though many of them are far from objective truth.

There is evidence that even miss-perception can eventually lead to reality.

There is also much objective evidence that we, the people of Ohio, are facing some very real and difficult challenges.

Let’s use our time, energy and other assets to move beyond all the bickering to make our communities and greater Ohio an even better place to live, work and recreate.

I know it’s a little easier for me to say these things, because I’m not on the ballot this year. In fact, I’m term limited in the Senate at the end of 2008!

I’ve posted more information on these education issues on my web site:  www.amstutz.org

Ron Amstutz
State Senator
R-Wooster