Section 3317.29
(A) The quality independent STEM school support program is established. Under the program, the department of education and workforce shall pay each STEM school established under Chapter 3326. of the Revised Code and designated as an independent STEM school of quality under this section an amount up to three thousand dollars in each fiscal year for each student identified as economically disadvantaged and up to two thousand two hundred fifty dollars in each fiscal year for each student that is not identified as economically disadvantaged. The payment for a fiscal year shall be calculated using the adjusted full-time equivalent number of students enrolled in the school for that fiscal year as of the date the payment is made, as reported by the school under section 3326.32 of the Revised Code. The department shall make periodic payments to each designated school beginning in January of a fiscal year.
(B) Not later than the thirty-first day of December each fiscal year, the department shall designate a STEM school as an independent STEM school of quality if the school satisfies all of the following criteria:
(1) The STEM school operates autonomously under section 3326.031 of the Revised Code.
(2) The STEM school does not have a STEM school equivalent designation under section 3326.032 of the Revised Code.
(3) The STEM school is not governed by a school district under section 3326.51 of the Revised Code.
(4) The STEM school is not a community school established under Chapter 3314. of the Revised Code.
(5) The STEM school cannot levy taxes or issue tax-secured bonds in accordance with section 3326.49 of the Revised Code.
(6) The STEM school satisfies the requirements prescribed by section 3326.03 of the Revised Code.
(7) The STEM school satisfies the requirements described in the quality model for STEM and STEAM schools established by the department of education and workforce in accordance with Chapter 3326. of the Revised Code.
(C) A school designated as an independent STEM school of quality under this section shall maintain that designation for the two fiscal years following the fiscal year in which the school was initially designated as an independent STEM school of quality.
(D) A school designated as an independent STEM school of quality may renew its designation each year that it satisfies the criteria under division (B) of this section. The school shall maintain that designation for the two fiscal years following each fiscal year in which the criteria under division (B) of this section are satisfied. This division applies to schools designated as an independent STEM school of quality based on the report cards issued in accordance with sections 3302.03 and 3326.17 of the Revised Code for the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 school years.
Last updated August 1, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Available Versions of this Section
- September 30, 2025 – Enacted by House Bill 96 - 136th General Assembly [ View September 30, 2025 Version ]