Hello, Education Insiders! Every Friday Stand for Children Oklahoma will share with you

what’s happening under the dome at 23rd and Lincoln in regards to all K-12 education

legislation. If you have any questions, please contact our operations coordinator, Amy

Stinnett, at astinnett@stand.org, or Gwendolyn Caldwell, our government affairs director,

at gcaldwell@stand.org. If you’d like to join us as a strong voice for education this session,

please visit http://stand.org/oklahoma/ to see how you can help each child in Oklahoma

receive a world-class education.

Thousands of parents, teachers and citizens are expected to rally at the state capitol

Monday, March 30th with two key requests of the legislature: policies that ensure each

classroom has a high-quality teacher and create a more reasonable testing environment.

Speeches will begin at 12:30 p.m. on the south steps of the capitol. Throughout the day,

attendees are encouraged to visit their legislators. Are you planning to attend and unsure

of who you representative and senator are? Visit this link to find your legislator and

schedule your appointment today. Following the rally, both chambers will be in session,

and education advocates will have the opportunity to “pack the galleries” and possibly

catch a few education-related bills being heard.

If you are unable to attend and would like to follow the action on social media, check out

the #okedrally hashtag on Facebook and Twitter.

2

Stand for Children Oklahoma Executive Director Amber England wrote a blog yesterday

calling for the exclusion of partisanship when it comes to proven solutions for the

achievement gap, specifically charter schools. Check it out!

Senate passes bill to prohibit district payroll deductions for teachers groups

The Senate on Thursday passed a controversial bill that would prohibit school districts from

automatically deducting dues from teachers’ paychecks for the Oklahoma Education Association

and American Federation of Teachers.

Tulsa school district cancels 'snow day' for rally, will hold classes Monday

Tulsa Public Schools will hold classes Monday, reversing the decision to cancel school to allow

teachers, parents and students to attend an education rally at the state Capitol, Superintendent

Keith Ballard announced Thursday.

Bill Targeting Teachers Union Dues Goes to Gov. Fallin

A bill prohibiting school districts from automatically deducting union dues from teachers’

paychecks passed the Oklahoma Senate Thursday, setting the stage for a legal showdown between

the state and at least one teachers union.

Oklahoma senators rebuke groups for social media bullying Thursday

Republican state Sen. Greg Treat of Oklahoma City stood on the Senate floor and demanded an

apology from the politically conservative Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs for a tweet that

“abused the character of one of my colleagues.” The tweet told Smalley not to worry because the

National Education Association and Planned Parenthood “(have) got your back.”

Hofmeister: Replace End Of Instruction Tests With ACT

Instead of requiring EOIs that neither colleges nor career technology centers use for admissions,

just imagine if Oklahoma required the ACT, which actually measures college- and career-readiness.

Education Associations Seek HB1749 Veto

HB 1749 is unnecessary in Oklahoma because we are a right to work state, and while certain

groups may organize to represent the interests of their members, Oklahoma employers are never

subject to the threat of strikes or organized walkouts.

Shortey Says Bill Unfair To Teachers

If we’re not going to eliminate similar payroll deduction options for other groups that participate in

similar collective bargaining organizations, then we shouldn’t be blocking teachers from choosing

to spend their hard-earned money as they see fit.

Eight schools in Moore district sustain tornado damage; all but hardest hit to

reopen Friday

Classes were expected to resume Friday for most students in the Moore school district, despite

tornado damage to eight campuses.

3

More budget cuts will increase Oklahoma teacher-shortage crisis, state

superintendent Joy Hofmeister says

Currently, the state is about 1,000 teachers short, Hofmeister said. A 2 percent cut in funding

would increase that figure to 1,781, while a 4 percent cut would raise it to 2,810 teachers short,

she said.

Tulsa World Editorial: Legislature should allow new hybrid model of charter

schools to continue the spirit of innovation

What the district proposes is a hybrid model that allows the school system to provide basic

infrastructure services, but preserves the curricular independence that makes charter schools

special.

Prosperity Policy: A show of support

At a time when educational success has never been more critical for our children and our

economy, the stakes are high. Let’s hope the rally helps usher in a new day when teachers are

allowed to be active and respected partners working for a brighter educational future.

Ginnie Graham: If you don't rally for education, then at least write a letter or

make a call

Don't waste a day on Monday. Do something in the name of civic duty.

OKC district plans limited participation in Capitol education rally

Two or three staff members from each school site in the district are expected to attend the rally,

along with a group of central office employees. District officials also are encouraging members of

the Parent Teacher Association and the superintendent’s parent advisory group to participate in

the rally.

High Suspension Rates at Oklahoma City Public Schools Trigger Systemic

Changes

According to a study out of UCLA, suspension rates at Oklahoma City Public Schools are some of

the highest in the nation. Nearly half of the students in the district got suspended there in the

2011-2012 school year, according to this report.

Rep. Dennis Casey: More important bills now in Senate

Overtesting is a complaint I hear about frequently from both parents and teachers. Senate Bill 708

would remove some state tests in grades 3-8. The legislation would leave in place those tests that

are required by federal law. Federal law requires tests in core learning areas such as English, math

and science.

High-stakes testing topic of OEA meeting

On Tuesday night, about 20 residents, teachers, parents and students met with members of

Oklahoma Education Association to discuss what they say are the dangers of high-stakes testing

and watch a 20-minute documentary from OEA about such testing. OEA President Linda Hampton

said the stress put on students today to pass tests is tremendous, and could be child abuse, in her

opinion.

4

TPS votes to cancel school March 30; teachers will use snow day for education

rally at state Capitol

The school board voted 6-1 to approve the use of the fifth and final snow day built into the 2014-

15 calendar for the rally, with member Suzanne Schreiber casting the sole “no” vote. Schreiber

told her fellow board members that while she shares the concerns of rally organizers, she also

shares the concerns of constituent parents and teachers who question the loss of instructional

time and late notice.

Public school mom: Legislature should trust Oklahoma parents when it comes to

education

School choice in Oklahoma is about trusting parents to make informed decisions about what’s

best for their children’s education.

Oklahoma teacher is honored by national organization

Mary Beth Carver calls it the family business. Teaching is a passion passed through bloodlines for

three generations of women in her family. Carver, 52, of Chickasha, cannot imagine a career in

anything else.

Entrepreneur workshop gives Tulsa high school students a taste of the real

business world

About 50 high school students learned about the realities of owning a business and the problem-

solving skills required to keep one afloat during the 2015 Scholarship to Success Entrepreneur

Workshop. The event was hosted by OK2Grow, a small-business-driven workforce-development

organization.

ACT plan would make Oklahoma a national outlier

If the Oklahoma proposal is a good plan, then why aren’t more states using it? That question

deserves an answer.

For second straight year, Oklahoma teachers call for funding

Two months after being sworn in, the former public school teacher and ex-state Board of

Education member, Hofmeister plans to add her voice to the thousands of teachers, school

administrators and parents expected at the March 30 rally.

Teachers slam emphasis put on state testing

About 65 Muskogee teachers, parents and students gathered Monday at Muskogee High School to

talk about how high-stakes testing affects them. The gathering was part of the Oklahoma

Education Association’s Common Sense Testing Tour, an effort to raise concern about high-stakes

standardized tests.

Oklahoma Educators Call For March 30 Rally At Capitol

Oklahoma educators plan to rally to renew demands made at a massive Capitol demonstration a

year ago for more classroom funding and better salaries. This time, they will have a new ally in

Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister.

Gap growing for skilled area workers

5

There are about 136,200 people in the workforce with about 5,930 currently unemployed in

Northeast Oklahoma according to a recent study released by the Oklahoma Department of

Commerce. The area includes Mayes, Rogers, Craig, Delaware, Nowata, Ottawa and Washington

Counties.

Keith Ballard: Support for public education is on the rise, opportunities for

change abundant

Over these eight years, I have also seen many education policy trends work their way through the

Oklahoma Legislature. It strikes me that today’s solution is often tomorrow’s problem.

Change in state law sought for Tulsa Public Schools would allow outsourcing of

student instruction

TPS is seeking the ability to outsource instructional and administrative services to “educational

service providers,” also commonly referred to as education management organizations.

Report Shows Little Change In Average Oklahoma Teacher Pay

Oklahoma gained one spot to claim the fourth lowest average teacher salary in the nation, not

because teachers are earning significantly more, but because the average salary in Idaho went

down.

Oklahoma school teachers could benefit from income tax exemption

Proposals at the Legislature will, if passed in both chambers and signed into law by Gov. Mary

Fallin, benefit Sooner State school teachers. However, at least one legislator would prefer to limit

any tax break by excluding both public charter school teachers and private school teachers.

TCC names new senior vice president, chief academic officer

Tulsa Community College has named Cindy Hess as its new senior vice president and chief

academic officer.

We’re tracking hundreds of bills that will impact the success of Oklahoma

students this session. But we’re paying especially close attention to a list of bills

we’re calling our “Watch List.” As the session progresses, we’ll be updating the list

as needed, but wanted you Education Insiders to be in the know.

STATUS: Second Reading – Referred to Senate Committee (ON AGENDA)

COMMITTEE(1): S Education

COMMITTEE(2): S Appropriations

SUMMARY: Requires the State Board of Education to administer a valid and reliable

criterion-referenced test that measures only reading proficiency and not proficiency in the

language arts to determine the promotion and retention of third grade students pursuant

to the Reading Sufficiency Act. (Amended by House, Stricken Title)

6

STATUS: Second Reading – Referred to Senate Committee (ON AGENDA)

COMMITTEE(1): S Education

COMMITTEE(2): S Appropriations

SUMMARY: Establishes the School District Unfunded-Mandate Relief Program which will

be administered by the State Board of Education to empower locally elected school

district boards of education to avoid unfunded and underfunded state imposed mandates

created by state law and associated State Board of Education rules. The bill requires that

a school district will be deregulated from certain unfunded or underfunded mandates and

associated State Board of Education rules places on upon the school district by the

Legislature upon approval of the state board. The bill requires the State Board of

Education rules, the amount of funding necessary to implement each mandate and

associated State Board of Education rule, and the current level of funding provided by the

Oklahoma Legislature to implement each mandate and associated State Board of

Education rule. The bill requires the list to be approved by the State Board of Education

no later than on Feb. 1 of each fiscal year. The bill provides that a state mandate will be

deemed underfunded if the level of funding provided by the Legislature is at or below

75% of the funding necessary to implement the mandate as determined by the State

Board of Education and to be deemed unfunded if the level of funding provided by the

Legislature is at 0% of the funding necessary to implement the mandate as determined

by the State Board of Education. The bill clarifies self-referential language. It also expands

the scope of school boards exempted from the provisions listed therein. (Amended by

House, Emergency Measure, Committee Substitute)

STATUS: Second Reading – Referred to Senate Committee (ON AGENDA)

COMMITTEE(1): S Education

SUMMARY: Adds alternative methods for satisfactorily demonstrating mastery of state

academic content standards in certain subject areas listed within the bill in relation to the

end-of-instruction criterion-reference tests. (Amended by House, Stricken Title)

STATUS: Second Reading – Referred to Senate Committee

COMMITTEE(1): S Rules

SUMMARY: Requires the members on a board of education to appoint members if, after

the filing period closes, no candidate has filed and a vacancy is created. The bill allows

appointment of members outside of the board or election district but requires the

individual to reside in the school district and to meet other eligibility qualifications.

7

STATUS: Second Reading – Referred to Senate Committee (ON AGENDA)

COMMITTEE(1): S Education

SUMMARY: Provides that teacher compensation does not include one-time incentive

pay that is provided by the school district to a teacher not one-time retention incentive

pay for returning a second year and exempts the pay from a negotiated agreement.

STATUS: Second Reading – Referred to Senate Committee

COMMITTEE(1): S Education

SUMMARY: Modifies the qualifications required to participate in the Oklahoma Higher

Learning Access Program (OHLAP) to include a child in the permanent custody of the

Department of Human n Services at the time the student enrolls in the program or after

completing the 10th grade or reaching the age of 16. (Emergency Measure)

STATUS: Second Reading – Referred to Senate Committee (ON AGENDA)

COMMITTEE(1): S Education

SUMMARY: Allows a board of education of any school district, residing at least partially

in a county with a population of at least 500,000, with an average daily membership of at

least 30,000 to contract with a public or private nonsectarian entity to provide

educational and administrative services for the school district. The bill suggests what

those services may include. (Emergency Measure)

STATUS: S Referred to Second Committee

COMMITTEE(1): S Appropriations

SUMMARY: Modifies the list of entities that may sponsor a charter school to include any

school district. The bill allows the State Board of Education to sponsor a charter school

when the applicant has been denied a charter by the school district in which it will

operate. The bill prohibits the board from sponsoring more than 10 charter schools per

year and one school per district in any given year. The bill requires a sponsor to give

priority to schools that serve at-risk student populations or students from low-performing

traditional schools. This bill states a sponsor may give preference to applicants that have

experience and a track record of success running a school or similar program. The bill

specifies what an applicant must include on an application to host a charter. It lists the

powers and duties of a charter school sponsor. The bill requires sponsors establish a

procedure for accepting and disapproving charter school applications. It states charters

will be immune from civil and criminal liability from the school it contracts with. The bill

8

specifies what will be included in a charter school contract. It allows the sponsor to

establish reasonable pre-opening requirements. The bill outlines how a charter school's

performance will be judged by a sponsor. It sets guidelines for the renewal of a charter

school contract. The bill would not have a charter school in the bottom 5 percent of

schools by school grade have its charter site renewed. It establishes the parameters for

the termination of charter schools. The bill states a charter schools capacity be

determined by the school board of that charter. This bill allows a charter school to enter

into private contract for the purpose of borrowing from lenders. (Amended by House,

Stricken Title, Committee Substitute)

STATUS: H Enrolled (ON AGENDA)

SUMMARY: Prohibits a state agency from making payroll deductions on behalf of an

employee for membership dues in any public employee association or professional

organization that collectively bargains on behalf of its membership. (Amended by House,

Amended by Senate, Stricken Title)

STATUS: Second Reading – Referred to Senate Committee

COMMITTEE(1): S Education

SUMMARY: Permits a student eligible to participate in the Oklahoma Higher Learning

Access Program (OHLAP) and to qualify for an award which includes payment of an

amount equivalent to resident tuition or other tuition under the provisions of this bill for

the first semester or other academic unit of postsecondary enrollment if the student is in

the permanent custody of the Department of Human Services at the time the student

enrolls in the program or in the permanent custody of the Department after completing

the tenth grade or is in the permanent custody of the Department after reaching the age

of 16. The bill requires that the OHLAP contact person be responsible for identifying

students enrolled in the public school site or private school in the eighth, ninth, and tenth

grade or are between the ages of 13 and 15, and are in the permanent custody of the

Department. The bill additionally requires this person to notify the State Regents with the

name of each student and notify the Regents if a student is in the permanent custody of

the Department of Human Services at the time the student enrolls in the program or in

the permanent custody of the Department after completing the tenth grade or is in the

permanent custody of the Department after reaching the age of 16. It requires the State

Regents enroll such students in the program and take steps to ensure that the students

execute an agreement with provisions as determined the State Regents, upon notification.

(Amended by House, Stricken Title, Committee Substitute)

9

STATUS: Second Reading – Referred to House Committee

COMMITTEE(1): H Common Education

SUMMARY: Permits a charter school to be sponsored by the governing body of a city

having more than 300,000 population according to the latest Federal Decennial Census

only when the charter school is located in a school district that has an average daily

membership of 5,000 or more and which all or part of the school district is located within

the boundaries of that city. (Amended by Senate, Emergency Measure)

STATUS: Second Reading – Referred to House Committee

COMMITTEE(1): H Common Education

SUMMARY: Provides the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board with administrative

duties, including decisions on supplemental online courses. The bill authorizes the board

to establish a review and certification process for supplemental online courses. It also

permits the board to negotiate contracts with the providers of these courses and provide

school districts with certified supplemental online courses with an emphasis in science,

technology, engineering, math, foreign language and advanced placement courses.

(Emergency Measure)

STATUS: Second Reading – Referred to House Committee

COMMITTEE(1): H Appropriations & Budget

SUMMARY: Modifies the income level for participation in the Oklahoma Higher Learning

Access Program (OHLAP). The bill changes the measure of the income to federal adjusted

gross income from taxable and nontaxable sources and increases the amount to $55,000

from $50,000. (Amended by Senate, Stricken Title)

STATUS: Second Reading – Referred to House Committee

COMMITTEE(1): H Common Education

SUMMARY: Requires the State Board of Education to align the standards for early

childhood education programs with newly adopted standards.

STATUS: Second Reading – Referred to House Committee

COMMITTEE(1): H Appropriations & Budget

SUMMARY: Modifies eligibility for the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program

(OHLAP) to include admission to nonprofit universities offering online, competency-based

10

degree programs located in the state as well as allowing awards for the program to be

allocated to said nonprofit universities. (Amended by Senate, Emergency Measure)

STATUS: H General Order

SUMMARY: Creates a revolving fund designated the Statewide Virtual Charter School

Board Revolving Fund for the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board in the State

Treasury. (Amended by Senate, Emergency Measure)

STATUS: H General Order

SUMMARY: Beginning with the 2015-2016 school year, entitles a student who is

identified at any point of the academic year as having a reading deficiency to intensive

remediation in reading until the student is able to demonstrate proficiency in reading at

the grade level in which the student is enrolled. It requires for a student enrolled in first or

second grades who scores below proficient on a screening instrument which meets the

acquisition of reading skills criteria an intensive remediation plan shall be developed by a

Student Reading Proficiency Team. It establishes the members of the team. The bill

removes provisions related to students who do not qualify for automatic promotion

because of a “limited knowledge” score. The bill extends provisions for probationary

promotion to the 2019-2020 school year and removes the school principal from the

Student Reading Proficiency Team. The bill clarifies language related to retention of

students. (Amended by Senate, Stricken Title)

STATUS: H General Order

SUMMARY: Requires the State Board of Education along with the Teacher and Leader

Effectiveness (TLE) Commission to study continued implementation of the TLE to produce

a system that promotes reflection and professional growth for teachers and leaders.

(Amended by Senate, Stricken Title)

STATUS: H General Order

SUMMARY: Requires the State Board of Education, in consultation with multiple other

entities, to develop recommendations for the requirements a student must meet to earn a

high school diploma. The bill requires the Board to hold public meetings and solicit

public input, designate assessments to determine college readiness, and consider

alternative assessments. The bill allows the Board to adopt the requirements by May 1,

2016 and a timeline to implement the requirements. (Amended by House, Amended by

Senate, Stricken Title, Stricken enacting clause, Committee Substitute)

11

STATUS: Second Reading – Referred to House Committee

COMMITTEE(1): H Common Education

SUMMARY: Allows any school district to sponsor a charter school. The bill allows

the State Board of Education to sponsor a school has been denied by its own

school district. This bill allows a sponsor to give priority to certain applicants. The

bill specifies what will be included in an application for a charter sent to a

sponsor. It specifies what powers the charter school sponsor will have and

requires sponsors to develop a protocol for accepting and denying school

applications. This bill outlines what may be included in a contract between a

sponsor and a charter school and states that no public charter school will begin

operations without a contract in place. It specifies what will be included in the

performance provisions of the contract. The bill outlines requirements for the

renewal of a contract and specifies what a sponsor will consider when making

contract renewal decisions. This bill prohibits charter identified as being in the

bottom 5 percent in school performance from being renewed. It outlines what a

sponsor will do if a charter refuses to be closed. The bill requires a sponsor to

clearly state why a school's contract is not renewed. This bill states the capacity of

a charter school will be determined by the governing body of the charter, not the

sponsor. It states the governing body of a charter may not issue bonds or levy

taxes. (Amended by Senate, Committee Substitute)

STATUS: H General Order

SUMMARY: Beginning with the 2015-2016 school year, requires a student who shows at

any point in the school year a reading deficiency to receive intensive remediation in

reading until they become proficient at the appropriate level. The bill establishes a

Student Reading Proficiency Team to develop the intensive remediation plan. (Amended

by Senate, Stricken Title, Committee Substitute)

SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

DATE: Monday, March 30th TIME: 9:00AM LOCATION: Room 535

CHAIR: Sen. John Ford VICE CHAIR: Sen. Ron Sharp

BILLS

HB1065 by Rep. Nollan & Sen. Stanislawski

HB1072 by Rep. Cleveland & Sen. Dahm

12

HB1268 by Rep. Casey & Sen. Ford

HB1290 by Rep. Cannaday & Fields

HB1321 by Rep. Nollan & Sen. Ford

HB1521 by Rep. Henke & Sen. Smalley

HB1622 by Rep. Derby & Sen. Stanislawski

HB1690 by Rep. Caldwell & Sen. Ford

HB1691 by Rep. Denney & Sen. Jolley

HB1693 by Rep. Calvey & Sen. Loveless

The following executive nominations are to be considered for approval:

Leo J. Baxter, Lawton, to the State Board of Education, to serve a four-year term

ending April 2, 2019, succeeding himself. (Barrington)

Bill Price, Oklahoma City, to the State Board of Education, to serve a four-year

term ending April 2, 2019, succeeding himself. (Yen)Tim Seidel, Ponca City, to the

Board of Trustees for the University Center at Ponca City, to serve an unexpired

term ending June 30, 2019, succeeding Pete Stynes. (Fields)

C. Renzi Stone, Oklahoma City, to the Board of Regents of the University of

Oklahoma, to serve seven-year term ending March 21, 2022, succeeding Tom

Clark. (Holt)

HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS & BUDGET, EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE

DATE: Monday, March 30th TIME: 10:30AM LOCATION: Room 412C

CHAIR: Rep. Scott Martin VICE CHAIR: Rep. Katie Henke

As of Friday morning, agenda not yet posted.

HOUSE COMMON EDUCATION COMMITTEE

DATE: Monday, March 30th TIME: 3:00PM or AAI LOCATION: 412C

CHAIR: Rep. Ann Coody VICE CHAIR: Rep. Michael Rogers

As of Friday morning, agenda not yet posted.