Education update: a bird’s-eye view of what’s going in Oklahoma education

As an Oklahoma legislator and a former teacher, I’ve been focused on education policy all session. Here’s what I know, or think I know, right now: /1 We remain stalemated on an education budget. The latest compromise plan would add $350m to the funding formula and raise teacher salaries 4-6k. I feel this is an improvement over the original House plan. /2

okhouse.gov/posts/news-202…

Sitting in on the full A&B committee, where State Superintendent Ryan Walters is about to answer questions about operations at the Oklahoma State Department of Education. It may be a contentious meeting. /1 Superintendent Walters begins by introducing some of his staff. I could be wrong, but It seems to me that he failed to introduce one staffer by her full name. /2

SB613 up now, targeting transgender health. As amended, it also targets doctors performing procedures in Oklahoma. /1 webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2023-24… Leader Munson asks if she consulted doctors who handle this care. The author replies that she talked to health care workers who treated people who regretted the decision. /2

Big developments in the House. The majority just introduced SB561, a small teacher raise bill adding $2-$5k to the salary scale. It’s tied to the voucher bill, meaning teachers don’t get a raise unless affluent private school families get a tax credit. /1

webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2023-24… The bill is a result of “shucking”. That’s when a bill doing something is replaced by different language. It’s a sneaky measure used when the majority wants to pull a fast one. /2 facebook.com/10005825769255…

Debating against SB404, which expands the doctrine of substantial burden from prohibiting religious persecution to affirming the right of religious entities to receive state funds. I feel this sets a dangerous precedent. /1 The bill may be intended to pave the way for the public funding of religious schools. As a product of Catholic schools, I valued the education. But I do not feel that they need public support. /2

Maternity leave
Today we saw a bill on maternity leave. It’s a good thing, right? Turns out not everyone thinks so… /1 Sb193 provides maternity leave for state employees. It’s being carried today byRep. Nick Archer, a freshman Republican from Elk City. Here’s the bill: /2
webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2023-24…

House Bill 404 is up today. It redefines what constitutes a “substantial burden” on religious freedom. Currently the state may not curtail essential religious activities. Under the new law, denying funding to a religious entity would be discrimination. /1 webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2023-24… The point is to create a legal basis for the funding of religious charter schools. Recently a state board rejected such an application. /2 reuters.com/world/us/oklah…

Gas stoves and internal combustion: a Twitter thread about bogeyman politics in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. /1 Sb200 came up in the House today: a bill in defense of gas stoves and the internal combustion engine, now up on the House floor. /2

webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2023-24…

Yesterday was a wild day at the Capitol. Trigger warning: Ryan Walters content. /1 Superintendent Walters was invited to attend a committee meeting by A&B Chairman Mark McBride, to answer questions about his performance. /2

In a usual joint session, Senate committees are presenting hb 1935, the voucher bill benefiting private schools and home school families. /1 oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?… Sen. Dossett asks how the bill has changed. Pro Tem Treat presents, and says they removed the provision for reducing the credit during revenue declines because it was cumbersome. /2

Now debating hb2139, allowing school districts to authorize teachers to carry guns. Rep. Swope is is not pleased… Rep. Rosecrants, a teacher, decries a society that won’t support teachers in the classroom, but will arm them. “No teacher can keep any eye on everything.” He ran an interim study on the subject last year, and notes that no one wants this kind of security.

About to hear hb1028 - the bill prohibiting the paddling of special needs kids in public schools - for a second time: /1 Rep. Talley introduced it a second time. Rep. Chad Caldwell introduced an amendment to limit the number of kids protected. /2

Rep. John Talley presenting hb1028, prohibiting the use of corporal punishment on children with special needs. /1 On cue, Rep. Olsen quotes the Bible to argue for hitting children. /2

Rep. Lowe, an attorney, debating against HB2161, which requires that the 2/3 of the board investigating police conduct be police officers. “This makes no sense,” he argues. /1 Rep. Goodwin calls this “wrongheaded and wrong-hearted.” This is “stacking the deck.” She has often spoken out against excessive use of force, and distinguishes between good officers and those this bill protects, the “bad officers.” She mentions Terrence Crutcher. /2

Beginning the debate on school vouchers, HB1935. The bill would give $5,000 tax credits to families, mostly affluent, sending their children to private schools. /1 Rep. Provenzano: how do we hold this program accountable for out-of-pocket expenses? /2

Watching Joy Hofmeister speak at a luncheon for reducing teen pregnancies. She just received a standing ovation in her first public speech since the election. /1 I was proud to stand with her on the campaign trail. And I very much miss her leadership as State Superintendent for Public Instruction. /2

Some fireworks in House Common Education today. Here I am listening in as, afterwards, Mark McBride explains what he just said about Ryan Walters… /1 Here’s another angle of the same shot: /2

Attending the joint session on the Oklahoma education budget, presided over by Chairs McBride and Pugh and delivered by Superintendent Walters. /1 Superintendent Walters begins by saying “it’s essential to end an era of indoctrination.” It’s another shot across the bow, and a sign that he hasn’t yet left campaign mode. He follows up with phrases like “Critical Race Theory” and liberal indoctrination.” And here we go. /2

Attending a ceremony honoring John Franklin Stephens, the model for the Golden Driller, at Expo Square. Did you know the Driller was modeled on a real person? Or that that person - John Franklin Stephens - is a real Oklahoma cowboy?

Watching State Superintendent Ryan Walters present this year’s education budget. He begins by pointing to shortcomings in Oklahoma education outcomes. /1 I take objection to his claim, in his opening, that districts like TPS shut down during the pandemic. It’s inaccurate and ignores the Herculean efforts districts undertook to keep communities safe. /2

Next up at the Hunt Workshop: teacher quality and certification. Dr. Bryan Duke, UCO dean, lays out the importance of quality assurance in teacher preparation. There are many ways to become a teacher, and he lays them out. /1 He warns about the reliance on emergency certification as a workforce staple, and the lack of quality assurance in the new designation of full time adjunct teachers. /2