Ohio's school funding system is complex. The average taxpayer has at best a limited understanding about how their public schools' revenues and expenditures are collected, distributed, and expended. Overlay on the already complicated funding model with a myriad of school choice options with various funding mechanisms and amounts results in increased complexity. Even educational professionals and policy makers lack a clear appreciation of all the mechanics and implications of school choice and fiscal strain it can place on local school district budgets. This study focuses on the economic impact that Ohio school choice programs have on local public school districts and its potentially de-equalizing effects. A literature review traces the evolution of choice programs and their prevalence nationally, before describing Ohio's school choice options and their financing. A quantitative review of the impact of school choice programs on 11 school districts in one of Ohio's 88 counties reveals the flow of public tax dollars among public districts and between public school districts, community academies, private schools, and other educational providers. Findings illuminate the widely unrecognized interaction between school choice and the state school finance system. It furthermore reveals the potentially de-equalizing effects when local revenues, as contrasted to the state formula aid, are sent to other districts or providers, while other districts retain state aid for students they do not educate. Additionally, findings clarify the consequences for traditional public school budgets bearing pressure over local programs, decision-making, and the delivery of a "thorough and efficient" education that students are guaranteed by the Ohio Constitution. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]