Ohio seeing decline in public school enrollment

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- There are fewer public school students heading back to school this year as enrollment continues to decline in Ohio.

According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics, public school enrollment declined 8.7% from 2000 to 2023. Matthew Joseph, senior adviser for education policy at ExcelinEd, warned Ohio could see a further 10% decline over the next 10 years. He encouraged state legislators to start planning.

"Without state action, the decline in student enrollment in public schools in Ohio will mean a decline in funding going to those schools, because funding is largely by student per student," Joseph said. "Without state planning, that drop in funding could raise the risk of lots of schools closing.”

Joseph said he believes declining enrollment