Charter Schools At Risk

Dozens of Ohio charter schools at risk of closing unless they get higher grades on their forthcoming 2019 state report cards are receiving at least a one-year reprieve under the new state budget. Previously those public schools, also known as community schools, were to be shut down if they received an overall grade of F twice in a three-year span. Now they’ll be closed if they get poor grades for three straight years — meaning none must close under the rules this year. The change offers a reprieve for up to 52 at-risk charter schools and gives them an additional year to show improvement. It was among several changes in the budget designed to help charter schools avoid penalties.