Ohio's schools by the numbers: Policy Matters research examines funding, discipline, absenteeism, and more

As the Ohio General Assembly continues to debate the education-related measures that are proposed in this year's state budget, it is imperative that every stakeholder has a full understanding of the state of education funding in our state. Policy Matters Ohio, a nonprofit, nonpartisan thinktank, just released a new report digging into the data. The report's author, Dr. Tanisha Pruitt, explains her findings and looks ahead to other education-related research reports that are in the works.

READ THE LATEST RESEARCH | Click here to check out Policy Matters Ohio's "Funding Ohio's Future" report, which takes a look at K-12 funding in the state. To see more Policy Matters Ohio reports, click here.

OEA'S REACTION TO THE HOUSE-PASSED BUDGET BILL | On April 26, the Ohio House voted to adopt the version of the budget bill that came out of the House Finance Committee as-written. It now moves to the Senate for consideration. Click here to read OEA's press release about the public education investments in the House-passed version of the bill. 

Featured Education Matters guest: 

Dr. Tanisha Pruitt, Policy Matters Ohio Tanisha is serving as a State Policy Fellow and Budget Researcher at Policy Matters Ohio working on examining the state budget through the lens of the K-12 school funding structure, youth safety, and reforming Ohio’s criminal legal system. Currently, Tanisha is responsible for understanding, tracking, and developing expertise on Ohio’s K-12 funding formula, its history, and its impact on equity and success. Tanisha is also focused on analyzing the budget funding streams for youth safety and development, and data support for projects related to criminal legal reform. Tanisha received a PhD in Public Policy and Urban Affairs with a concentration in International Development from Southern University and A & M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Her research interests include, International development and sustainability, closing the achievement gap, school funding and resources, broadband equity and the digital divide, dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline, sentencing reform, reducing mass incarceration for minority populations, and youth development and outcomes among underserved populations. Tanisha received her bachelor’s degree from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, in Sociology with a minor in Child and family relationships. In 2015, Tanisha received her master’s in Applied Behavioral Science from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. Tanisha currently serves as the Co-Founder and President of the Nelson Mandela Institute for Research (NMIR) at Southern University and A & M College, a senior research consultant with Crane R& D research firm, and as a research scholar with the Global Technology Management Partnership research group (GTMP), where she engages in research, conference presentations and publications. National organization memberships include the Northeastern Educational Research Association (NERA), National Organization of Black Law Enforcement (NOBLE) and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).  

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About us:

The Ohio Education Association represents about 120,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals who work in Ohio’s schools, colleges, and universities to help improve public education and the lives of Ohio’s children. OEA members provide professional services to benefit students, schools, and the public in virtually every position needed to run Ohio’s schools.Education Matters host Katie Olmsted serves as Media Relations Consultant for the Ohio Education Association. She joined OEA in May 2020, after a ten-year career as an Emmy Award winning television reporter, anchor, and producer. Katie comes from a family of educators and is passionate about telling educators' stories and advocating for Ohio's students. She lives in Central Ohio with her husband and two young children.

This episode was recorded on April 18, 2023.
The Ohio House passed its version of the state budget on April 26, 2023.