Independent Schools and Government

Regulation

Dan Dodd, Ohio Association of Independent SchoolsWhitney Work, National Association of Independent

Schools

2 Major Ways Schools Affected by Regulation

Money

Curriculum / Testing

Money Direct Funding: Examples include

vouchers, state-funded scholarships and payment for educational materials

Indirect Funding: Examples include ax credit scholarship programs, student transportation, health and other personnel

Money (cont’d) Key difference between direct /

indirect funding is if money comes directly to the school or through an intermediary (parents, non-profit, etc.)

If the money goes through an intermediary, programs get less scrutiny under state Blaine amendments

Money (cont’d) 2 major ways of funding for schools are

vouchers and scholarships Vouchers

Families receive a state-funded scholarship that can be used at a participating private school

Special needs scholarships may also be used for non-school service providers

Types of vouchers: Universal, failing school, income-based, condition-based

Money (cont’d) 2 major ways of funding for schools

are vouchers and scholarships Scholarships

Individuals and corporations receive tax credits for contributions to non-profits that distribute scholarships

Money does not, in theory, go directly to schools but first to the non-profit

Curriculum / Testing Many states have mandates for nonpublic school

students to receive a designated number of credits in certain classes in order to graduate.

No states require nonpublic schools to follow a curriculum (ALEC American history bill notwithstanding)

Only one state (Ohio) has a mandated test that all students in public and nonpublic schools must pass in order to receive a diploma from the school

Worth remembering: PARCC and Smarter Balanced haven’t anticipated private schools being tested, tests will not reflect private school input or philosophies.

How are Money and Testing Tied Together?

In some states, to receive direct or indirect state funding, private schools must impose state-mandated testing on scholarship students.

Testing is back-door way to impose a curriculum on schools, depending on how results are used: Grade cards: Eligibility for future voucher

enrollment depends on certain results Release of results: Test results for use as

comparisons with local schools may lead to “teaching to the test” in order to ensure higher scores

What Could All This Mean for Independent Schools?

Common Core back door? The wide adoption of Common Core by

public schools will push all testing to reflect Common Core principles

Any program that relies on standardized testing for accountability or monitoring will essentially force adoption of standards

Testing options that come with money may end up influencing the curriculum

What Could All This Mean for Independent Schools?

Dependency Once schools begin to participate in

scholarship programs, it’s difficult to end participation: Parental dependency on the money Admissions personnel may use

scholarships as recruiting tool If rules change after a school begins

participation, school must balance its independence with what parents may want.

What Can Independent Schools Do About This?

Become familiar with legislators and have legislators become familiar with you and your schools Organize lobby days at your statehouse Host legislator visits to showcase school’s unique

program and curriculum

Create talking points so advocates are singing from the same hymnal

Utilize social media to engage in debate on private schools and school choice issues

ConclusionQuestions?

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