The Ohio Department of Education (ODE) is considering enforcing a surety bond on all Autism providers for next school year. To explain, any school that accepts the Autism (ASD) Scholarship is called a provider. In years past, the bond had not been enforced and providers were not required to meet it. This year, ODE changed that requirement.
To be specific, for every $1000 in ASD scholarship funds a provider accepts, they must post $225 in bond. The standard ASD scholarship pays $27,000 per pupil to the provider per year. If a provider enrolls 25 students, for example, at $27,000 each, you can do the math and see how quickly this adds up. The hardship reveals itself for providers who are solely funded by the ASD Scholarship. There simply isn't $145,000+ to carve out of their budgets.
The implications of the bond, if enforced, is the closure of hundreds of Autism schools across the state of Ohio. Thousands of employees will lose their jobs, small businesses such as these will evaporate, and families who depend on these providers will be left with no options for school choice. School choice for children with Autism will be a thing of the past. Only providers who receive funding from multiple sources will survive.
Governor Kasich holds dear the concept of school choice for all children in Ohio. ODE and Governor Kasich must hear our voices of opposition in regard to the implementation of the surety bond for private providers.
This issue is dear to my family because our youngest daughter, Mackenzie, was diagnosed with Autism last summer. She is a beautiful four year old fire cracker that attends an Autism school in Toledo, Ohio. She has made wonderful progress since enrolling last August. It would be a catastrophic blow to her education and goals if her school closes because they cannot meet the demands of the surety bond.
Please support thousands of families across the state of Ohio to protect school choice and provide options for children with Autism by signing the petition.
Updates
March 24, 2016
I have spent my week talking to school directors who are terrified that they will have to turn away children once their funding dries up. This policy threatens the only place my own son feels safe and understood. Please keep reading the stories in the comments because they show exactly what we stand to lose if these doors close.
March 24, 2016
Seeing this level of support reminds me why I started this fight for my son and the thousands of other kids who depend on these schools. This momentum confirms that people across Ohio recognize the disaster this bond requirement would cause. We are proving that our schools cannot be sacrificed.
Reached 100 supporters
March 24, 2016
23 Comments
This will create hardships on families that already have hardships. It is usually a struggle to make the decision to remove your child from the public school system. The Autism Scholarship was designed to give parents a choice but this will limit the choices available. I implore you to reconsider the decision to suddenly enforce this law. I respectfully request at least a year phase in. We all see the need to protect tax payer dollars but please give the smaller providers that are doing great work time to work this into their budgets.
I am a small provider as well and we have given up so much to help support our families happily, this surety bond is sure to hurt us and make it even more difficult to make affordable education and therapy care for our children.
I am a determined momma who wants to speak with Governor Kasich ear to ear. I've contacted and emailed his office, Senator Edna Brown's office, and the Ohio Attorney General's office to plead with all of them to intervene and stop the enforcement of the bond. I know, if I were given the opportunity to speak with him, Governor Kasich would understand my concerns as a mother. I am but one mother, but I represent thousands of mothers across the state of Ohio who have children with Autism. We deserve to be heard. Mackenzie deserves the chance to be the best she can be. Doesn't every child?
This is a huge injustice not only to the children that benefit, but to the smaller businesses that are making a difference in their lives.
My 5 year old daughter Cathleen has made so much progress at her autism school. The surety bond could close her school and then we are left with no choice. Please remove the surety bond requirement!!!!
My sister also has a severly Autistic son who looks forward to his schooling. He is a 21 years old. His education and the help through his schooling has been incredible! Please dont ruin the lives of thousands who had no choice in being born with this disease!!!
This is horrendous... All kids need educated in an environment that meets their needs
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The Ohio Department of Education (ODE) is considering enforcing a surety bond on all Autism providers for next school year. To explain, any school that accepts the Autism (ASD) Scholarship is called a provider. In years past, the bond had not been enforced and providers were not required to meet it. This year, ODE changed that requirement.
To be specific, for every $1000 in ASD scholarship funds a provider accepts, they must post $225 in bond. The standard ASD scholarship pays $27,000 per pupil to the provider per year. If a provider enrolls 25 students, for example, at $27,000 each, you can do the math and see how quickly this adds up. The hardship reveals itself for providers who are solely funded by the ASD Scholarship. There simply isn't $145,000+ to carve out of their budgets.
The implications of the bond, if enforced, is the closure of hundreds of Autism schools across the state of Ohio. Thousands of employees will lose their jobs, small businesses such as these will evaporate, and families who depend on these providers will be left with no options for school choice. School choice for children with Autism will be a thing of the past. Only providers who receive funding from multiple sources will survive.
Governor Kasich holds dear the concept of school choice for all children in Ohio. ODE and Governor Kasich must hear our voices of opposition in regard to the implementation of the surety bond for private providers.
This issue is dear to my family because our youngest daughter, Mackenzie, was diagnosed with Autism last summer. She is a beautiful four year old fire cracker that attends an Autism school in Toledo, Ohio. She has made wonderful progress since enrolling last August. It would be a catastrophic blow to her education and goals if her school closes because they cannot meet the demands of the surety bond.
Please support thousands of families across the state of Ohio to protect school choice and provide options for children with Autism by signing the petition.
Updates
March 24, 2016
I have spent my week talking to school directors who are terrified that they will have to turn away children once their funding dries up. This policy threatens the only place my own son feels safe and understood. Please keep reading the stories in the comments because they show exactly what we stand to lose if these doors close.
March 24, 2016
Seeing this level of support reminds me why I started this fight for my son and the thousands of other kids who depend on these schools. This momentum confirms that people across Ohio recognize the disaster this bond requirement would cause. We are proving that our schools cannot be sacrificed.
Reached 100 supporters
March 24, 2016
23 Comments
Lets get this signed and in front of Governor Kasich...then we'll see if he truly holds dear the concept of school choice for all children in Ohio. The fact that this has to be defended is somewhere between sad and ridiculous. We need to stand together as a community and help our kids. These kids need extra support, not abandonment..
This will create hardships on families that already have hardships. It is usually a struggle to make the decision to remove your child from the public school system. The Autism Scholarship was designed to give parents a choice but this will limit the choices available. I implore you to reconsider the decision to suddenly enforce this law. I respectfully request at least a year phase in. We all see the need to protect tax payer dollars but please give the smaller providers that are doing great work time to work this into their budgets.
I am a small provider as well and we have given up so much to help support our families happily, this surety bond is sure to hurt us and make it even more difficult to make affordable education and therapy care for our children.
I am a determined momma who wants to speak with Governor Kasich ear to ear. I've contacted and emailed his office, Senator Edna Brown's office, and the Ohio Attorney General's office to plead with all of them to intervene and stop the enforcement of the bond. I know, if I were given the opportunity to speak with him, Governor Kasich would understand my concerns as a mother. I am but one mother, but I represent thousands of mothers across the state of Ohio who have children with Autism. We deserve to be heard. Mackenzie deserves the chance to be the best she can be. Doesn't every child?
This is a huge injustice not only to the children that benefit, but to the smaller businesses that are making a difference in their lives.
My 5 year old daughter Cathleen has made so much progress at her autism school. The surety bond could close her school and then we are left with no choice. Please remove the surety bond requirement!!!!
My sister also has a severly Autistic son who looks forward to his schooling. He is a 21 years old. His education and the help through his schooling has been incredible! Please dont ruin the lives of thousands who had no choice in being born with this disease!!!
This is horrendous... All kids need educated in an environment that meets their needs
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Lets get this signed and in front of Governor Kasich...then we'll see if he truly holds dear the concept of school choice for all children in Ohio. The fact that this has to be defended is somewhere between sad and ridiculous. We need to stand together as a community and help our kids. These kids need extra support, not abandonment..