All Ohio ESCs Earn High Performing ESC Designation from DEW

Each of Ohio’s 51 Educational Service Centers (ESCs) applied for and received the High Performing ESC designation from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW). To achieve the High Performing Educational Service Center (ESC) designation, an ESC must generate total cost savings of at least 5% across five core service areas for its client school districts as compared to the district providing the services themselves or from another third party provider. The percentage of savings for Ohio’s ESCs far exceeds this 5% benchmark, averaging 40% savings in 2023.

“Ohio’s educational service centers provide exceptional cost savings to their school districts in addition to all of the other high-quality services and support they offer,” says Craig Burford, Executive Director of the Ohio ESC Association (OESCA). “Over the past seven years, Ohio ESCs have averaged 36% savings to districts per year, for a total of nearly $587.6 million in savings statewide for primary services since 2016. Policy makers should take notice of the return on their investment and find additional ways to leverage the ESC network.” 

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce evaluated each application based on the total percentage of cost savings the ESC generated for its client districts calculated based on the price charged to the client by the ESC for a primary service. 

Ohio’s Educational Service Centers (ESCs) provide school districts with professional development, technology, support, planning, and administrative services that help improve student learning, enhance the quality of instruction, expand access to resources, and maximize operating/fiscal efficiencies. The Ohio ESC Association (OESCA) supports, educates and advocates for Ohio’s ESCs.