Following the ruling of a Franklin County judge on the EdChoice program, Brian Hickey, executive director for the Catholic Conference of Ohio released the following statement:
“We remain confident the EdChoice program will prevail in the appeals process. Ensuring EdChoice scholarships for students is a matter of social justice, as it allows for equal opportunities for all of Ohio’s children. It is also sensible public policy, encouraging a more robust education system for families that ultimately benefits society and the common good.
The Catholic Church will continue to advocate for and defend programs that support parents as the primary educators of their children and enable them to select a school that best suits their child’s needs. We are proud that Catholic schools in Ohio continue to flourish with ethnic and racial diversity while providing a rich spiritual and intellectual environment. Catholic schools, like other chartered nonpublic schools in Ohio, work closely with the Department of Education and Workforce to adhere to state chartering requirements, including operating standards, teacher licensing, state audits and approved testing."