Read below for statements from:
Parent's Guide to Private Schools: The Current Private Schools
(4/20/2023) With the Oklahoma legislature preparing the final text of a school choice funding formula, SoonerPolitics undertook the task of compiling a couple of interactive maps, indicating the established private schools across the state. Some of these institutions are accredited by the Oklahoma Private School Accreditation Commission (OPSAC), but several dozens are decidedly not accredited, even though some are over 125 years old.
Can Governor Stitt find a middle ground for House Speaker McCall and Senate Pro Tem Treat to come to? He's giving it his best shot. We'll see how it goes.
GOVERNOR STITT CALLS FOR COMPROMISE, PROPOSES THE OKLAHOMA EDUCATION AND PARENTAL CHOICE PLAN
OKLAHOMA CITY (April 21, 2023) - Governor Kevin Stitt today unveiled his proposed education reform compromise, the Oklahoma Education and Parental Choice Plan, after weeks of meetings with House and Senate leadership, Speaker Charles McCall, Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat, and members of both chambers.
Here’s a quick thought experiment. There are two proposals to fund K-12 education. With one, families would get up to $7,500 for a child’s education. In another, families would receive nearly $13,000 per child in educational services. Some lawmakers want an “income cap” on one of these programs, to limit which families can use it. Can you pick which one?
It’s not the $13,000 one—nobody is suggesting a limit there. The income cap would apply only to the $7,500 option.
I'm posting this somewhat delayed due to having been swamped with work, but this was the biggest thing to come out of the legislature last week:
OKLAHOMA CITY (March 30th) - The Oklahoma State Senate today gave passage to its historic $700 million education package.
Senators voted overwhelmingly on both measures 40 – to – 7 on House Bill 1935 and 46 – to – 2 on House Bill 2775, approving the single largest appropriations increase to education in state history, sending it back to the House of Representatives.
In the competition between states, there is no sitting still. Oklahoma could become a national leader in school choice this year.
The Oklahoma House of Representatives has approved House Bill 1935, which would provide all Oklahoma families a tax credit of $5,000 per student for private school or $2,500 for homeschooling.
That proposal would make Oklahoma one of the nation’s most attractive places to raise a child. But other states are not sitting still as Oklahoma policymakers conduct this debate.
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives has approved a two-part plan by Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, to provide a $500 million investment to public education and create the Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit Act.
Over the past few years, the House and Senate have been at odds in many regards on education reform, particularly given the Senate's emphasis on vouchers for school choice. On Thursday, House Speaker Charles McCall and members of the House GOP caucus released a broad education plan that includes $500M for public schools (including a $2,500 teacher pay raise), plus a tax credit framework for private school and homeschool students.
I haven't studied this in detail yet, but homeschoolers generally are less opposed to the idea of tax credits, whereas straight vouchers draw much more severe opposition over the greater threat of regulation/intrusion. We'll have to see what the particulars are on this proposal.
Here's the official press release on the House GOP education plan:
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma House Republicans on Thursday announced an education plan designed for every student, parent and teacher in the state.
