KidsOhio.org’s mission is to improve the education of Ohio’s nearly three million children, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. With a statewide reach and a special focus on Columbus and Central Ohio, KidsOhio.org:
Analyzes data so that education policy decisions are based on a careful analysis of facts;
Identifies best education improvement practices from other localities and helps to replicate them in Columbus and statewide; and
Advocates for effective public schools that meet the unique education needs of each child.
“Our top priority in 2011 is improving student achievement and college and career readiness,” says Mark Real. “Due to legislative term limits, one in three Ohio legislators are new. These policy makers appreciate information about the needs of Ohio schoolchildren and efforts that are making measurable progress.
KidsOhio.org played a leadership role in helping Ohio win Race to the Top. KidsOhio co-produced independent guides to the first- and second-round applications, co-convened one hundred leaders from seventy organizations to advise the Ohio Department of Education, and helped Ohio’s second-round presentation team prepare for Washington.
A policy brief educated decision-makers about Ohio’s efforts to increase the annual number of college graduates, and the group co-released a guide showcasing college credit opportunities for high school students.
In Columbus, KidsOhio collaborated with community leaders to form Learn4Life, an effort to boost academic achievement by strengthening health and social services. A KidsOhio report provided an overview of the increase in student need among Columbus suburbs, identifying elementary school enrollment trends among low-income parents.
