As Ohio lawmakers consider expanding funding for education vouchers, it appears as though the programs may have veered off course from their original intended purpose.

According to a report by WCMH-TV, data from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce shows nearly 90% of the students enrolled in the state’s voucher program are NOT low-income qualified.

When EdChoice was established, the whole idea was to broaden educational opportunities for low-income students who were not receiving the education they needed in struggling districts. Now, with the EdChoice Exp program, any Buckeye State student can get voucher help, regardless of income.

WCMH pulled the data together to show that for the 2024-25 school year, 88.9% of EdChoice students do not qualify as low-income; for EdChoice Exp, the figure is 88.7%. That means only a little more than 11% of those receiving voucher support through the programs are those for whom the programs were originally meant to provide a hand up.

Meanwhile, approximately 30% of Ohioans fall into the low-income category (at or below 200% of the federal poverty line — or a family of four bringing in $64,300 or less per year).

A report by the state General Assembly shows 17% of EdChoice Exp scholarships actually go to those making more than $200,000 per year.

Compounding the problem, not all counties in Ohio have voucher-eligible schools. (Carroll, Champaign, Hardin, Holmes, Meigs, Morgan, Noble and Vinton do not, according to WCMH).

For some, it is a confirmation that lawmakers should return focus to fully and fairly funding our public schools. At best, the data is a reason to evaluate who, exactly, the programs are intended to serve and whether changes could be made to address the continued challenges for low-income families who understand their kids deserve the best education available to them.