Hello, Walters? Controversial Waurika school assignment was from State-approved curriculum

This is a follow-up to my article from Wednesday, Perverted assignment given to students at Waurika High School, which covered a very detailed high school class assignment on sexual activities, including illegal and unnatural acts.

Parents in the community were rightfully upset, as pictures of the assignment quickly disseminated among even elementary students at the school. 

Jenni White at Reclaim Oklahoma Parent Empowerment (ROPE) interviewed the mother who first went public with the perverted assignment (you should read the whole thing):

A truly unfortunate event happened in the classroom of Ashlyn Jade’s niece at Waurika Public Schools Monday afternoon.

According to an interview with Ashlyn this afternoon, Coach Roger Jesse, a teacher/coach with 40+ years in Oklahoma education – and someone with many years of service and an excellent reputation in Waurika Public Schools – gave his 11th grade psychology class an assignment that has now made internet viral status.

Coach Jesse was asked to teach a new extra curricular psychology class at Waurika High School this semester. Ashlyn believes that, in a hurry and under duress from a strenuous teaching/coaching schedule, he downloaded a STATE APPROVED psychology curriculum to use during his class on Monday afternoon, copied it and handed it out without really reviewing it.

White: in voucher push, Stitt wants OK to be like states that restrict homeschooling

Here's an excellent post on the topic of school choice vouchers and homeschooling, from Jenni White with Reclaim Oklahoma Parent Empowerment (formerly known as Restore Oklahoma Public Education):

Governor Stitt Says He Wants Oklahoma To Be More Like The Voucher States Of Iowa, Virginia, Florida and New Hampshire Where Homeschooling Is Significantly More Restricted Than Oklahoma

February 9, 2023 || By JENNI WHITE - EDUCATION DIRECTOR

Thursday: Tulsa 9.12 Project speaker on how Dark Money is making it hard to elect conservatives in OK

From the Tulsa 9.12 Project:

The Corruption Belt: How Dark Money Is Making It Hard for Oklahomans to Elect Conservatives

Were you inundated with political campaign mailers leading up to the June and August primary elections? Did the plethora of push cards explode in your mailbox prior to the primary runoffs? Have you noticed trends and similarities in literature coming from supposedly different campaign organizations?

If you answered YES to any or ALL of these questions, then you need to be at Tulsa 9.12 Project on Thursday, September 8th when Jenni White will unveil and explain just how deep the corruption goes and how dark the money is that funds it. Like a detective following the clues with Scooby Doo, Jenni will reveal who is behind these dastardly and malicious campaign attacks.

Sandy Garrett joins education leaders endorsing Faught for State House

Faught endorsed by Sandy Garrett, other educators

Muskogee, OK –  George Faught, candidate for State House District 14, today announced that he has been endorsed by several prominent state and local educators, including former State Superintendent of Public Instruction Sandy Garrett.

"As former State Superintendent and a teacher, I had the opportunity to work with many leaders across this State. George Faught is one of those leaders who works hard and has earned people’s trust. As a State Representative, George worked tirelessly for local schools and teachers," said Sandy Garrett, who served as State Superintendent from 1991 to 2011. "George is committed to helping the next generation succeed with a quality education. Join me in helping re-elect my former student, George Faught, to the State House." Garrett taught in Muskogee for 15 years, and was Faught's first-grade teacher.

"George Faught will be a great representative who listens to the people of his district. He is a strong and proven leader. George supports local control of education and will work to give teachers more time to teach by stopping the excessive testing of students," said Linda Murphy, former Education Advisor to Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating.

"George Faught has the experience needed to be the voice of House District 14. He cares about Oklahoma’s children and will ensure they receive the best possible education. George possesses the moral compass we need in Oklahoma City," said Muskogee teacher Lorie Alexander. "Deeply devoted to his family and directed by his faith, George is a man of integrity you can trust with your vote." In 2013 Alexander received recognition as the top Elementary Teacher in the state by Professional Oklahoma Educators and was given the 'Elementary Educator Merit' Award.

Jenni White, president of Restore Oklahoma Public Education (R.O.P.E.), also endorsed Faught's campaign for re-election. "I support George Faught for State House District 14 because of his strong stance on local control of education and the rights of parents to educate their children in the way they deem best for that child. In 2012, Rep. Faught sponsored Parental Rights legislation that clearly delineated the role of parents as the primary decision makers for their children. We need more Representatives at the state level willing to guard and protect the rights of parents - especially today, as we continue to fight to keep Oklahoma 'Common Core' free."

White continued, "Though not a member of the House when historic HB3399 (the repeal of Common Core in Oklahoma) was passed, Rep. Faught voted against the initial legislation in 2010 that led to Common Core, and supported our fight to stop Common Core. We will need his advocacy as our new standards are written and the federal government continues to bribe states to educate Oklahoma kids their way. Please help me elect George Faught to the Oklahoma State House of Representatives." White and her organization played a key role in advocating for the successful repeal of Common Core in Oklahoma.

"George Faught has been an advocate for National Board Certified Teachers and achieving excellence in our schools. He has supported teacher pay increases and common sense reforms. George Faught has a strong conviction to do what is right for Oklahoma," said Alicia Rodgers, Fort Gibson teacher.

"I am honored to have the endorsement of these outstanding educators," said Faught. "It shows that Education isn't about partisan politics, but about preparing the next generation of Oklahoma's leaders. We must work together to make it happen. The investment we make in Education today will determine the future of our state tomorrow."

Learn more about George Faught and his campaign by visiting his website.

Senate Education Committee to hear anti-Common Core bill

Senate Ed Committee to hear bill assuring higher standards/complete state control
(link)

The Senate Education Committee will consider House Bill 3399 on Monday. The measure provides for the development and adoption of new English and math standards and assessments while prohibiting the State Board of Education from entering into any contract or agreement with any federal agency or private entity that would cede or limit state control.

Sen. Josh Brecheen, R- Coalgate, and Sen. Anthony Sykes, R-Moore, are Senate co-authors of the measure.

"Governor Fallin and Superintendent Barresi are to be commended for their leadership and insistence in higher standards,” Brecheen said. “With the committee substitute to HB 3399 we are ensuring Oklahoma's standards can exceed those of Common Core without surrendering state control through a well-written firewall that safeguards our students.”

Brecheen said the goal is to reduce the need for remedial classes after high school, helping more students successfully complete a college degree or Career-Tech certification.

"I am glad that we are responding to the people and moving forward on this issue. It is time we put Oklahomans back in charge of educating our children,” Sykes said.

Under the committee substitute for HB 3399, the State Board of Education would work with higher education and Career-Tech officials to adopt new English and mathematics standards by August 1, 2015.

House Speaker Jeff Hickman is the principal author of HB 3399.

“It is essential that we create standards that push our children to achieve in the 21st Century," said Hickman, R-Fairview. “This option gives Oklahoma the flexibility to establish quality standards aimed at success and resist any overbearing federal intrusion into decisions that should be made by the states. We have proven Oklahoma can be an economic leader, and we can prove that Oklahoma can also lead the way in student achievement.”

House co-author of the measure is Rep. Jason Nelson.

“This respects local control by placing decision making authority regarding curriculum, textbooks, learning materials, and reading lists with local school districts,” said Nelson, R-Oklahoma City. “We all want high standards which are developed and controlled by Oklahomans and that prepare our students for active citizenship.”

Under the legislation, school districts will have the exclusive right to determine instructional materials, curriculum, reading lists and textbooks.

Jenni White is the president of Restore Oklahoma Public Education.

“We are thankful to the bill's authors for their tireless work on HB 3399, and are truly grateful to House and Senate leadership for soliciting our input,” White said. “It will be a great relief to finally repeal the Common Core State Standards from Oklahoma law.”

Carolyn L. McLarty, Republican National Committeewoman for Oklahoma, joined White in her support of the legislation.

“In supporting the Senate committee substitute to HB 3399, I am very pleased that our legislators have found a constructive way to come together, listen to input from the people, follow the intentions of the Governor’s executive order, and act to help protect Oklahoma students, teachers and parents from federal control of education,” McLarty said.

The Senate Education Committee is scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. on Monday, March 24, in room 535 of the state Capitol. The Senate live-streams all floor sessions and committee meetings at www.oksenate.gov.

OKGOP vice-chair race shaping up

As the Oklahoma Republican Party's 2011 State Convention draws near, candidates are beginning to announce for party positions. State Chairman Matt Pinnell is expected to run for a full term (he is currently fulfilling past State Chairman Gary Jones' term), so the real race appears to be shaping up for Vice-Chair. Today, the first candidate made public her decision to run.

Grassroots organizer, Jenni White, to run for GOP Vice Chair

From the precinct, to local schools, to the halls of the state Capital, Jenni White has proven her abilities to get things done for Oklahoma.  On March 3, 2011 White announced her candidacy for the number two position in the state Republican Party.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to help our Chairman Matt Pinnell and every Oklahoma Republican build an even better party over the next two years” said White.  A lifelong Oklahoman, White has primarily worked in the area of education reform.  White commented, “Education takes over half of the state budget but our results have yet to catch up.  I was pleased to support Superintendent Barresi and I appreciate the way in which the legislature has worked to advance public education reforms.  Now I’m ready to use the organizational skills I have developed to build our party.”

White co-founded ROPE (Restoring Oklahoma Public Education) in 2009 and has been active at every level of Republican politics.  White and her family live in north Oklahoma City and attend Fairview Baptist Church in Edmond.

The OKGOP State Convention will be held on May 6-7 in Oklahoma City; expect some more candidates to announce in the coming weeks. The current vice-chair is Angie LaPlante, who was first elected in 2009. No word as of yet on whether or not she will run for reelection.