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OAPCS is a nonprofit advocacy organization that proactively educates and informs the public, families, stakeholders, policymakers and thought leaders about the importance of educational choice and charter schools. In this capacity, OAPCS serves as a clearinghouse of charter school data, research and stories pertaining to the charter movement, quality in education, state and federal school legislation and other topics that affect student equity. 

For the Media: 

For inquiries, information and interview requests and questions, please call 614-744-2266.

In the News:

OAPCS Issues Statement on Today's Ruling from the Franklin County Common Pleas Court Regarding the ECOT Attendance Audit

October 2, 2016

Columbus, Ohio — The Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools (OAPCS) released the following statement regarding today’s ruling from the Franklin County Common Pleas Court to deny ECOT’s request for a preliminary injunction against the Ohio Department of Education:

“We are hopeful that this ruling resolves the questions about what is expected for virtual schools to track student engagement and learning,” said RaShaun Holliman, CEO and President of OAPCS.

“This clarifies that the state has the authority to define acceptable documentation for student…

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OAPCS Media Statement on 2016 Ohio School Report Cards

September 15, 2016

The Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools (OAPCS) President and CEO RaShaun Holliman made the following statement today regarding the just released 2016 Ohio State Report Cards:

“The report cards released today reflect the continued transition toward higher standards and expectations for both traditional district and charter schools,” Holliman said. “With the third straight shift in state assessment vendors and redefined proficiency scores, the results are not surprising,” he said.  

“Charter schools, like our district counterparts, remain focused on…

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OAPCS Issues Statement on the USDOE Final Release of $32 Million Awarded to the Ohio Department of Education in the U.S. Department of Education SEA Grants Competition

September 13, 2016

Columbus, OH– The Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools (OAPCS) President and CEO RaShaun Holliman released the following statement today in response to the final release of funds to the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) of a $32.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) Charter Schools Program (CSP) State Educational Agency (SEA) grants competition. CSP grants fund the creation and expansion of high quality public charter schools across the nation. 

“We are encouraged to see a resolution, after nearly a year, of terms for the grant…

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Superintendent Visits Charter for School-Year Kickoff

September 1, 2016

State Superintendent of Education Paolo DeMaria visited the alma mater high school of his two children Wednesday for a back-to-school event, where he chatted with students and staff. 

His trip to the Graham School, a charter school in Columbus, follows a visit he made last week to Columbus Preparatory School for Boys, where he participated in the school’s “Ties that Bind” tie-tying ceremony.

“I have a lot of personal affection for this school. I love the program,” he told a group of teachers. 

Graham is a school with slightly more than 200 students…

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Eight Charter Schools to Receive Community School Classroom Facilities Grants

August 20, 2016

Eight Ohio charter schools have been selected to receive Community School Clasroom Facilities Grants.

Read the Cleveland Plain Dealer article here.  Read the OAPCS news release here.

Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools Names New President and CEO

August 9, 2016

Columbus, Ohio — The Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools (OAPCS) announced today that RaShaun Holliman has been named as President and CEO of OAPCS.

Chad Readler, Chairman of the OAPCS Board, stated, “Holliman brings experience and characteristics essential to leading OAPCS, including a commitment to quality choices in education, an understanding of the value charter schools bring to our public education system, and strong advocacy and communication skills.”

“We look forward to RaShaun, together with our experienced OAPCS team, continuing to expand…

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Buckeye Charter School Boards, Inc. to Merge Annual Conference with OAPCS

July 6, 2016

Columbus, OH – Buckeye Charter School Boards, Inc. (BCSB), the statewide organization that serves board members of Ohio’s charter schools, will merge its annual conference for 2016 with the first day of the 10th Annual Ohio Charter Schools Conference December 7-8, 2016 sponsored by the Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools (OAPCS).

“OAPCS welcomes Buckeye Charter Schools Boards as they combine their 7th Annual Conference with the OAPCS 10th Annual Conference celebrating a decade of learning,” said Jesse Truett, OAPCS chief operations officer..

According…

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OAPCS Responds to NAPCS Virtual Charter Schools Report

June 18, 2016

Columbus, OH– The Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools (OAPCS) Chairman of the Board Chad Readler released the following statement regarding the NAPCS virtual charter schools report released today.

“The NAPCS policy report on virtual schools is timely and essential, as virtual charters are an evolving educational model that many parents choose for their children,” Readler said.

“As their report states, NAPCS supports full-time virtual schooling and access for families who need it,” he said. “Ohio’s enrollment numbers reflect that many parents find…

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Charter School Stands Out (Editorial)

May 20, 2016

“It has been a rough year for Ohio’s charter-school movement. A state official was caught cooking the books to make some failing e-school sponsors look successful. Other e-schools were told to repay millions for billing the state for students whose attendance couldn’t be documented. And wealthy charter-school operators continued their efforts to neuter the state’s new charter-school reform law.”

Read the full editorial in the Columbus Dispatch.

Charter School Producing Hoped-for Results

May 16, 2016

“Amid the politically charged landscape of Ohio’s charter-school movement, one operator has racked up a record of success with one of the most challenging student age groups: middle-schoolers.”

Read the full article in the Columbus Dispatch here.

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