Ohio
State Government
Governor
Mike DeWine (R)
State Senate
7
Democrats,
26
Republicans
State House
32
Democrats,
67
Republicans
Economic well-being - Ohio
Extreme poverty rate
0.09
Food insecurity
0.153
Minimum wage
10.7
Percent of working families under 200% of the poverty line
0.295
Poverty rate
12.7%
Unemployment rate
5
Number of Black or African American children living in families where no parent has full-time, year-round employment
223000
Number of Hispanic or Latino children living in families where no parent has full-time, year-round employment
Percent of individuals who are uninsured
6.7
The Columbus Dispatch, April 20, 2012: Raising the bar at Ohio pre-K's; Proposal says rating preschools would better prepare kids
"About 105,000 low-income children receive subsidized childcare and another 37,000 high-needs youngsters are enrolled in public preschool. Lawmakers appeared supportive. 'Ohio will be moving away from funding baby-sitting,' noted Education Committee Chairwoman Peggy Lehner, R-Kettering."
The Plain Dealer, March 27, 2012: (Op-Ed) Student tests prove poverty
"What the tests really show is a student's socioeconomic level. Every year when the test results are released, schools with a higher percentage of students who receive free or reduced lunches do worse than those with a smaller percentage. The dirty little secret about the test is that it exposes that the poverty rate for children is more than 23 percent in the United States."
Dayton Daily News, March 25, 2012: Many local students may lose grant money; Narrowed eligibility requirements take effect in July for Pell grant.
"That amount ranks Ohio fifth in the nation for total aid its residents received out of the $41 billion Pell grant program, according to the U.S. Department of Education. In the 16 public and private colleges and universities in southwest Ohio - extending from Edison Community College in Piqua to the University of Cincinnati - more than 60,000 students receive a Pell grant, which does not have to be repaid."
Dayton Business Journal, March 22, 2012: Montgomery County develops education plan
"Montgomery County has developed an action plan to help more low-income kids succeed in school that doubles as an application for a national award."
The Columbus Dispatch, January 29, 2012: Steubenville's finest; Ohio's No. 1 elementary school succeeds in an area better known for hardship
"More than half the students come from poor households, but the trappings of high unemployment and poverty have not slowed them in school. Wells Academy was named Ohio's No. 1 public elementary school in the state's first school ranking based on student test scores."
The Columbus Dispatch, January 15, 2012: More kids living in poverty; A record 840,000-plus students are in the subsidized school-lunch program.
"Nearly half of Ohio's schoolchildren qualify for free or reduced-price school lunches this year as the economy continues to batter families struggling to get back on their feet."