WCC supports excellence in public education and advocates for policies, resources, and services that improve children’s lives and prepare them for future success.
Sarah Gideonse chairs this action group, which supports the success of public school children, especially children at risk.
WCC members interested in analyzing policy proposals and legislation, developing and working on new projects, participating in hands-on ways to help children succeed in school, and planning forums about education may contact Sarah Gideonse for more information and to volunteer.
Members are interested in replacing our longstanding and effective literacy program for kindergartners with hands-on ways to improve children's achievement.
EAG members analyze the Ohio General Assembly’s education legislation, often brought to our attention by the nonpartisan Honesty for Ohio Education nonprofit, and reports concerns in the Update and the Bulletin, along with possible actions members and friends can take. It works with the Program Committee to sponsor education-related forums.
On board approval, early in 2025, we drafted testimony
in opposition to SB1, the Advance Higher Education
Act. SB1 has many features likely to damage state institutions of higher education. The worst parts were the restrictions on faculty that were an assault on academic freedom. Opponents predicted a “brain drain” with faculty leaving Ohio for less restrictive positions, and potential students may also decide to attend elsewhere. The bill became law despite widespread opposition.
WCC also opposed the provisions in the state budget
bill for FY 2026-27 that could affect public schools adversely. The weekly Update provided our members and friends information about ways to take action, through contact with legislators, and by providing testimony. The bill ultimately reduced the funding of the Fair School Funding Plan (the main source of state support of public schools) at the 2021 level. At the same time, the bill increased the appropriation for school vouchers to 2.5 billion dollars, thereby transferring more public tax dollars from public schools to private education with little government regulation or oversight. According the newspaper reports, most of children receiving vouchers are already attending private schools.
Education Action Group members join a team reading and ranking essays written by senior high school women and submitted as part of their applications to receive a Marian Spencer Education Award.
Woman’s City Club sponsors or cosponsors forums related to education. In Augst 2025, we participated in planning and officially cosponsoring a forum initiated by the League of Women voters on public school funding and the Cincinnati Public Schools school levy requiring no new taxes.