Ohio

In this report, we examined five kinds of equity-focused metrics in state OBF policies to determine the extent to which states prioritize the enrollment and success of students of color and students from low-income backgrounds:

  1. Enrollment metrics for students of color
  2. Success metrics for students of color
  3. Enrollment metrics for students from low-income backgrounds
  4. Success metrics for students from low-income backgrounds
  5. Metrics related to campus racial climate

While the inclusion of these metrics in policies is essential, how they are deployed is equally as important. Therefore, we also considered whether the metrics were mandatory, optional, or weighted. Weighted metrics are the most ideal. These are mandatory and are given additional value, so strong institutional performance on a weighted metric would garner greater advantage or funding.

Two-Year Institutions

Ohio adopted outcomes-based funding in 2012. It is allocated as base funding annually.

The State Share of Instruction (SSI) is Ohio’s primary mechanism for subsidizing instructional costs at Ohio’s public institutions of higher education for the purpose of reducing the cost of tuition for Ohio residents. SSI funding in each fiscal year is allocated to public institutions according to a performance-based funding formula that incentivizes student course and degree completion, among other things.

The metrics include:

  • Degree Completion (25%)
    • At-Risk Weights
      • Academic
      • Financial
      • Age
      • Race
  • Course Completion (50%)
    • Access Factor Weights
      • Academic
      • Financial
      • Age
      • Race
  • Success Points (25%)
    • Completing 12 credit hours
    • Completing 24 credit hours
    • Completing 36 credit hours
    • Completing developmental math, and within one year completing college-level math
    • Completing developmental English, and within one year completing college-level English

Ohio OBF policy has metrics for special populations including adult students and academically underprepared students. The policy does not have a metric that measures campus climate.

The policy is overseen by The Ohio Department of Higher Education. To learn more, visit https://www.ohiohighered.org/financial.

Two-Year Institutions
Enrollment of Students of Color None
Success of Students of Color Weight
Enrollment of Students from Low-Income Backgrounds None
Success of Students from Low-Income Backgrounds Weight
Measure Related to Campus Climate None

Four-Year Institutions

Ohio adopted outcomes-based funding in 2012. It is allocated as base funding annually.

The State Share of Instruction (SSI) is Ohio’s primary mechanism for subsidizing instructional costs at Ohio’s public institutions of higher education for the purpose of reducing the cost of tuition for Ohio residents. SSI funding in each fiscal year is allocated to public institutions according to a performance-based funding formula that incentivizes student course and degree completion, among other things.

The metrics include:

  • Degree Completion (50%)
    • At-Risk Weights
      • Academic
      • Financial
      • Age
      • Race
      • First-Generation Student
  • Course Completion (30.3%)
    • At-Risk Weights
      • Academic
      • Financial
  • Doctoral Set-Aside (11.8%)
  • Medical Set-Aside (7.9%)

The Ohio Four-Year OBF policy includes an at-risk weight for first-generation students. The policy does not have a campus climate metric.

The policy is overseen by the Ohio Department of Education. To learn more, visit https://www.ohiohighered.org/financial.

Four-Year Institutions
Enrollment of Students of Color None
Success of Students of Color Weight
Enrollment of Students From Low-Income Backgrounds None
Success of Students From Low-Income Backgrounds Weight
Measure Related to Campus Climate None

Outcomes-Based Funding Map Placeholder
Outcomes-Based Funding Map

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