A recent report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation highlights significant challenges in child well-being across the United States, with Ohio ranking particularly low in educational outcomes. In the report, it was noted that 65% of 4th graders and 74% of 8th graders in Ohio are not proficient in reading and math, respectively. This decline in basic skills has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to increased chronic absenteeism and a lack of resources in schools. The report emphasizes the need for measures such as free school lunches and expanded tutoring services to improve educational outcomes for students in Ohio. [45ce90a9]
In light of these educational challenges, a commentary from the Thomas B. Fordham Institute argues that retaining high-achieving students in Ohio should be a priority for policymakers. The analysis by Harvard's Paul Peterson indicates that while Ohio ranks in the top 20 for math and top 10 for reading on the NAEP scores, the performance of economically disadvantaged students has declined from 274 to 265 points between 2013 and 2019. In contrast, non-free and reduced-price lunch (FRPL) students perform nearly on par with those in top-performing states. The commentary stresses that improving K-12 education is essential for Ohio's economic growth and that initiatives like the Governor’s Merit Scholarship aim to keep talented students in-state. [9cf46ac5]