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State Profiles
Ohio
Ohio provides pre-k services through the state's Early Childhood Education program (formerly known as Public Preschool) and Early Learning Initiative (ELI). Programs initially followed the federal Head Start Performance Standards, but now, the state uses its own pre-k standards, the Ohio Early Learning Program Guidelines.
In response to growing interest by local leadership, advocates and state agency administration, three key initiatives were developed to rebuild Ohio's commitment to young children. First, the Ohio Early Care and Education Campaign (OECEC) was formed and established a strategic advocacy plan to address the educational, physical, and social and emotional needs of children ages birth through six. Second, the School Readiness Task Force was commissioned by the state board of education to create a road map for the development of an early care and education system, birth through kindergarten, to ensure that high-quality early learning experiences are available to every Ohio child by 2015. Finally, Build Ohio convened an alliance of individuals and representatives of state organizations to build awareness and support for increasing investments, to link and coordinate state and local professional development services, and to support systems design.
Due to all of these efforts, early childhood issues are becoming a priority for the state once again. However, the economic downturn threatens to undo recent progress. Lawmakers are considering $168 million in budget cuts to pre-k for fiscal year 2010, which could eliminate early learning opportunities for 17,000 3- and 4- year olds.
NEW!  Click here to see Pre-K Now's letter to Ohio elected officials.
Key Milestones
| 1990 |
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After a successful four-year pilot initiative, Ohio establishes the Public Preschool Program. Ohio launches a state-funded Head Start initiative. |
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| 2001 |
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In the face of a fiscal crisis, Ohio shifts state funding away from Head Start and replaces it with federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) dollars. State TANF regulations feature more stringent eligibility requirements and a new authorization process, which results in a large drop in enrollment between 2002 and 2004. |
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| 2003 |
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The Ohio Early Care and Education Campaign launches with a focus on creating a comprehensive, high-quality early care and education system. |
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| 2004 |
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Ohio eliminates the state Head Start initiative and replaces it with the Early Learning Initiative (ELI), funded primarily by TANF. This new initiative has two goals: to provide children often identified most at-risk due to poverty with school readiness experiences; and, to provide full-day, full-year care for working families. ELI also provides half-day, half-year care based on families' needs. The educational component for ELI mirrors Public Preschool. Income eligibility is re-assessed every six months. If family income exceeds 195 percent of the federal poverty threshold, TANF funding terminates within a month. |
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| 2006 |
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The Ohio Board of Education commissions the School Readiness Solutions Group (SRSG), a task force made up of education, business, health, human service, higher education, foundation, and state department leaders. The 50 members are charged with creating recommendations for policy changes and action that will lead to the development of a coherent, effective system of early learning.
The OECEC changed its name to the Ohio GroundWork Campaign.
Ohio's child care quality rating system, Step Up to Quality, is expanded statewide.
Gubernatorial candidate Ted Strickland prioritizes early care and education in his campaign, and, upon his election, mentions early care and education in his acceptance speech and first State of the State address. He also creates an advisory committee on early care and education as a resource to his transition team. |
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| 2007 |
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Governor Strickland signs an executive order to increase the child care provider market rate and to create an Early Childhood Cabinet and director position.
The Ohio General Assembly passes a landmark FY08-09 budget that includes an additional $270 million for early care and education. The budget increases funding for the Early Childhood Education program by $29.5 million over two years for a total of $31 million in FY08 and $36.5 million in FY09. This increased funding will allow nearly 8,000 children to have access to high-quality pre-kindergarten programs.
The work requirement for eligibility for the Early Learning Initiative is removed and eligibility for the program will only be assessed annually rather than once every six months. |
Pre-K Champions
Governor Ted Strickland made early care and education a priority during his 2006 election campaign and made good on his promises by establishing an Early Childhood Cabinet and increasing early care and education funding in his Executive budget.
Several coalitions supporting early childhood advancements are continuing to work together in Ohio to further a shared agenda, including GroundWork, Build Ohio, and the School Readiness Solutions Group. Voices for Ohio's Children, Ohio United Way, and Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Ohio also strongly support pre-k in Ohio, along with the many local early care and education initiatives and organizations. Each group fulfills a primary role in promoting and implementing a better early childhood system for Ohio.
Next Steps for Ohio
- GroundWork will build on the momentum created by the FY08-09 budget to keep early childhood issues in the forefront of Ohio's policy agenda.
- In 2008, 26 percent of the Ohio legislature will leave office due to term limits. This will be an important opportunity to educate candidates about early care and education, and create relationships with the new legislators.
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"Redefining ESEA" Webinar
Looking for resources from our Webinar, "Redefining ESEA: The Critical Role of Pre-K and the Early Grades in School Reform Efforts”?
Access our PowerPoint presentation from the March 17 call here.
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Recovery Round-up
You've got questions? We've got answers -- and when it comes to pre-k and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, we've got lots of them. Courtesy of Pre-K Now's federal team, here is our great collection of resources to help you navigate and apply ARRA funding.
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Meeting the Challenge of Rural Pre-K
Families everywhere struggle to find high-quality pre-k programs for their children, but the problem is even more acute in rural areas. Pre-K Now has come out with recommendations for federal policymakers to help states meet the unique challenges of rural pre-k.
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Tour a Pre-K Classroom
Through our virtual classroom tour and our short video following real children through their pre-k year, we will help you recognize high quality, understand why it makes a difference, and show you how children benefit.
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The Case for Pre-K in the ESEA
