About Us

Ohio Education Matters works to transform education in Ohio from a system of schooling to a world of learning. This statewide, public policy research organization focuses on connecting the dots between great innovations and those in the community who can make change. As a non-partisan entity, Ohio Education Matters acts as a catalyst of an education transformation in the state by conducting research, advocacy, engagement and policy development that inspires others to make the system changes needed today to prepare Ohio’s children for the future.

Ohio Education Matters provides guidance and leadership on school funding, high schools, workforce development, community engagement and other education issues across the state.

As it pursues education change, Ohio Education Matters draws insights from the 2020 Forecast: Creating the Future of Learning, developed by KnowledgeWorks and the Institute for the Future, to guide the direction of education reforms.

Executive Director

Ohio Education Matters is led by Andrew Benson, a veteran executive of KnowledgeWorks Foundation. Most recently, Benson served as policy director and led efforts to increase learning opportunities in the state and improve the education system, including the foundation's School Funding Matters initiative.

A decade ago, he was founding president of the New Ohio Institute, a statewide public policy think tank that conducted in-depth studies on education, statewide polls and publications that served as a resource to advocates and policymakers across the state. He holds master's degrees from Harvard University and Ohio State University and a bachelor's degree from Ohio University.