School choice advocates praise Gov. Stitt's education reform goals

[UPDATE: for more articles and perspectives on SB 1647, click here]

Following Governor Kevin Stitt's State of the State address yesterday, school choice advocates issued statements praising the Governor's position on education reform. Read them below:

State Senate Pro Tem files landmark education measure, school choice groups praise

[UPDATE: for more articles and perspectives on SB 1647, click here]

State Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat has filed a major education reform measure, Senate Bill 1647 (the Oklahoma Empowerment Act). Below his press release I'm including comments from supporting groups and organizations.

As a homeschool graduate and homeschool parent, I am quite hesitant when it comes to even "friendly" efforts to provide some sort of funds for homeschool students. Oklahoma is the most free state in the union when it comes to home education freedoms, and as such those of us in the homeschool community have jealously guarded against the government nose coming under the tent. 

I'll be curious to see just how this measure would apply to homeschoolers. From first appearances, I would be greatly concerned about government education regulators finally getting their grubby paws on the liberties that home education has enjoyed here in Oklahoma.

Pro Tem Treat bill empowers all parents to pursue best educational opportunity for their student

OKLAHOMA CITY – All parents of Oklahoma students would be empowered to pursue the best educational setting that fits the individual needs of their child under legislation filed by Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat.

“Every child deserves the chance for a quality education that fits their unique needs, regardless of their zip code. We’ve already empowered the parents of children with disabilities with this opportunity through the very successful Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship program. It’s time we give all parents and all student in Oklahoma that same opportunity for success,” said Treat, R-Oklahoma City.

Treat said Senate Bill 1647, also known as the Oklahoma Empowerment Act, creates Oklahoma Empowerment Accounts which allow parents to use their child’s state education dollars to pursue a variety of educational opportunities, all to secure the best education possible for their children.

“A quality education is essential to each child’s success, and the overall success and growth of our state. No child should be trapped in a failing school or a school that cannot meet their unique educational needs simply because of where his or her home is located. Oklahoma Empowerment Accounts will bring generational change to families across Oklahoma by giving all parents the freedom to do what’s best for their child,” Treat said.

OCPA applauds Oklahoma Empowerment Account legislation

OKLAHOMA CITY (January 21, 2022)— Larry Parman, chairman of the board of trustees for the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, issued the following statement today in response to Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat filing Senate Bill 1647, which creates Oklahoma Empowerment Accounts (OEAs). Under Treat’s OEA bill, parents can use taxpayer funds to choose any education option, including private schools, that best serve their child’s needs.

“For Oklahoma to become a state of true opportunity for all, we must provide a quality education to every child. But that can only happen when parents are able to choose from a range of options based on their child’s unique needs. In contrast, the one-size-fits-all approach of the current education system in Oklahoma leaves too many children behind. Those of us on the OCPA board are civic leaders, business owners, and most of all parents and grandparents. We know there is no issue more important to families and Oklahoma’s future progress than improving our state’s education outcomes. By fighting to maximize educational opportunity for all Oklahoma families, Senate Pro Tempore Greg Treat has taken a bold stand for families that deserves applause from all Oklahomans.”

The Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs is a free-market think tank that works to advance principles and policies that support free enterprise, limited government, individual initiative and personal responsibility.

ChoiceMatters, Parent Voice Oklahoma, Praise Legislation Creating “Oklahoma Empowerment Accounts”

Proposal Gives Parents Control Over Their Education Tax Dollars

OKLAHOMA CITY – ChoiceMatters, an Oklahoma non-profit dedicated to increasing education options for parents, today praised Oklahoma State Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat for filing SB 1647, the Oklahoma Empowerment Act. The bill proposes giving parents control over a portion of their children’s education tax dollars, in the form of Oklahoma Empowerment Accounts. The accounts would be eligible to fund private school tuition or to supplement home schooling with approved technology expenses, enrichment materials or other educational services.  

“The biggest barrier to education freedom is income,” said ChoiceMatters Executive Director Robert Ruiz. “High income parents can choose the school that is right for their children, either by moving to the zip codes with the best public schools, by sending their children to private school, or by supplementing their children’s education with tutoring and other resources. We believe that parents of every income level in every zip code should be able to make these same choices and offer their children these same opportunities.

“Pro Tem Treat has put forward a bold vision to give every Oklahoma parent the freedom and the ability to find the best education possible for their children,” continued Ruiz. “We encourage his colleagues in both the Senate and the House to stand with parents and support this proposal.”

Jennifer Johnson, a Skiatook mother who helped start Parent Voice Oklahoma, an advocacy organization supporting efforts that include parent empowerment, school choice and educational freedom, also praised the proposed legislation.

“Parents have realized that the balance of power in public education has tilted towards unelected bureaucrats and top-down control,” said Johnson. “Putting parents in charge of their own education tax dollars puts them back in the driver’s seat where they belong. This is the ultimate form of local control and parent empowerment. Thank you, Senator Treat, for giving parents a voice in our kids' education.

AFC-Oklahoma Issues Statement in Support of Oklahoma Empowerment Accounts

OKLAHOMA CITY – American Federation for Children-Oklahoma Senior Advisor Jennifer Carter today released the following statement in support of the Oklahoma Empowerment Act (SB 1647), filed today by Senate Pro Tempore Greg Treat. The bill gives every parent a portion of their education tax dollars, in the form of “Empowerment Accounts,” to support K-12 education needs. 

“The COVID-era has made it obvious that our system of public education is not responsive to parental needs or input, even on matters as important as school closures, virtual learning, and curricula. All across the country, parents are fighting back and demanding more control over how their kids are being taught, who is teaching them, and what they are learning. 

“The creation of Oklahoma Empowerment Accounts will ensure that all parents have real options for their children when it comes to education. That, in turn, will force schools to listen to parents and to ensure they are meeting the needs of the families they are supposed to serve, rather than simply ignoring them at the behest of unions and special interests. Our thanks go out to Pro Tem Treat for his support of parental rights and education freedom. We are excited to help make his bold vision a new reality for Oklahoma parents and families.” – Jennifer Carter, senior advisor, AFC-Oklahoma

School Choice advocates thank lawmakers for passing landmark education reforms

School Choice Advocates Thank Lawmakers for Passing Landmark Education Bills

OKLAHOMA CITY (March 31st)-- School choice advocates today praised the Oklahoma Legislature for advancing two landmark education bills that together empower parents and increase accountability in public schools.  

The Oklahoma House of Representatives today passed Senate Bill 783 by a vote of 65-30. SB 783 allows for true and transparent open transfers within the public school system and provides that school districts must accept transfer students unless they are at or over capacity. The bill now heads to the desk of Governor Kevin Stitt for his consideration.

'Parent Voice Oklahoma' launches at state capitol protest over school closures

'Parent Voice Oklahoma' Launches in Wake of School Closures

OKLAHOMA CITY – Parents from across the state today held a rally to protest school closures and a lack of parent involvement in education decisions. Now, many of those parents have organized to launch a new group: Parent Voice Oklahoma. The group exists to elevate the role of parents in regard to educational decisions at the school, district and state level.

Parent Voice Oklahoma starts with chapters in Owasso, Deer Creek, and Stillwater. Parents from Heritage Academy, a new Epic Charter School program that emphasizes bilingual learning and Hispanic culture and heritage, have also launched a chapter.

Dana Walsh, who attended today’s rally at the State Capitol, said she got involved with Parent Voice Oklahoma because she feels parents are being ignored by local school districts.

“We are tired of not being listened to,” said Walsh, an Owasso parent. “Our school boards are making decisions that impact the health and wellbeing of our kids as well as our ability as parents to work. It is clear they are listening to unions, to politicians, and to the media, but they aren’t listening to parents. Enough is enough.”

One of the initiatives being pushed by Parent Voice Oklahoma is a petition to create a recall process for school board members who fail in their duty to represent the interests of students and parents.

“I signed the petition because the bars are open in my town, the restaurants are open, but the schools are closed,” said Derek Lereviere from Deer Creek. “What does that say about our priorities? We have to put kids and families first."   

Robert Ruiz is the executive director of ChoiceMatters, an Oklahoma City-based non-profit that helps parents organize and advocate for their interests. He said that, while school closures are a catalyst for parent action, the real problem is the top-down nature of the public school system bureaucracy.

“We currently have a public school system where a few voices at the very top are making decisions about everything from curricula to personnel to school closures,” said Ruiz. “It’s very hard for parents to get inside that bubble and to impact policy. We need to turn that system on its head, so parents are the guiding force when we develop our education priorities. The system is funded with their tax dollars and exists to educate their kids. It makes no sense to exclude them from governance. That’s what Parent Voice Oklahoma is all about.”

For more information on Parent Voice Oklahoma, go to parentvoiceok.org.

Parent-led education group backs Stitt's plan for Equal Opportunity Scholarship expansion

Parent-Led Education Group Backs Gov. Stitt's Plan for Equal Opportunity Scholarship Expansion

OKLAHOMA CITY – ChoiceMatters, an Oklahoma City-based parent organizing group, today praised Governor Kevin Stitt for proposing the expansion of the Oklahoma Equal Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit. The governor’s Fiscal Year 2021 budget, released this morning, includes the following section:

Raise the Oklahoma Equal Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit cap from $5 million to $30 million. Hundreds of Oklahoma’s low-income students are benefiting greatly from the success of this scholarship program to attend the school of their parents’ choice. We believe the time has come to provide this opportunity, funded by generous Oklahomans, to even more students.

Tax credit scholarships are used to support low-income Oklahomans who choose to send their children to private schools. At some schools that cater specifically to underserved communities, such as Tulsa’s Crossover Prep and Cristo Rey OKC, every student receives support from Equal Opportunity Scholarships. Additionally, the tax credit program is used to fund innovative educational programs in public schools, including STEM courses, online or blended learning, and robotics classes.

ChoiceMatters Executive Director Robert Ruiz said the continued success of both the private and public school programs funded by Equal Opportunity Scholarships relies on the expansion of the current $5 million cap.

“Governor Stitt’s leadership on this issue is of tremendous importance to families who rely on Equal Opportunity Scholarships to help fund a great education for their children,” said ChoiceMatters Executive Director Robert Ruiz. “We hope our Legislature will stand with our governor as he works to ensure that all parents have the ability to find a school that is the right fit for their kids.”

ChoiceMatters’ mission is to inform and organize parents so they can exercise their innate power to improve education for their children, schools and/or school systems. Its vision is that one day, all children will have access to a quality education that best fits their needs and allows them to reach their full potential regardless of where they are born or the income of their parents.

School choice supporters to celebrate 20 years of charter schools

Charter School Supporters to Celebrate on Oct. 17 in Oklahoma City

Charter school students, parents and advocates are gathering at the Myriad Gardens in Oklahoma City on October 17 at 10 AM to celebrate 20 years of public charter schools in Oklahoma.

The event celebrates the passage of HB 1759, the Oklahoma Charter Schools Act, which allowed charter schools to open in Oklahoma and Tulsa counties. Since then, legislation has passed allowing charter schools to open statewide. There are now 36,000 students in 66 charter schools operating in all 77 counties. Charter schools are free and are part of the public school system.

The October 17 event will feature remarks from elected officials, charter school educators and parents. The event is open to the public, but attendees are requested to RSVP at https://www.edchoicematters.org/charter-20th.

The event is being organized by ChoiceMatters and the Oklahoma Public Charter School Association.

ChoiceMatters Executive Director Robert Ruiz said the event is an opportunity for parents and students to voice support for their school and others like it.

“Public charter schools are drivers of innovation, creativity and best practices across the education field,” said Ruiz. “They are also one of the key ways families get to exercise choice in public education. No one is assigned a charter school; every student at every charter has chosen to be there. We think this is worth celebrating, and that’s what we’ll be doing on October 17.”

Oklahoma Public Charter School Association and Santa Fe South Public Schools Superintendent Chris Brewster said charter schools have a record of excellence that is worth celebrating.

“Oklahoma’s public charter schools offer a rich and rewarding learning experience for the students and families who choose a charter school,” said Brewster. “For 20 years, charter schools have been an important piece of our state’s educational system by providing an outstanding education to the students we serve.”

For more information, go to https://www.edchoicematters.org/charter-20th

Public Charter School 20th Anniversary:

• What: A celebration of 20 years of Oklahoma public charter schools
• Who: Charter school parents, students and supporters
• When: 10 AM, Oct. 17
• Where: Devon Lawn and Band Shell at the Myriad Gardens

School Choice supporters to rally at State Capitol today

Parents and Advocates Rally at Oklahoma State Capitol for School Choice 

Groups tell lawmakers: "Put children first"

Parents and educational groups will be gathering for the annual School Choice Day at the Oklahoma State Capitol today (March 7) beginning at 11 AM. Hundreds of parents will be in attendance to meet with legislators and advocate for policies that protect and expand the right of parents to determine where and how to educate their children. The group will hear from several speakers, including state lawmakers.

“Our message to lawmakers is simple: put children first" said Robert Ruiz, executive director for ChoiceMatters. "Children are more important than systems or buildings, and our policies should reflect that. If we are thinking first and foremost about the well-being of our children it means always giving them and their family a choice to find the best educational opportunities available to them. It means never telling a family 'no' simply to preserve a system or to protect the status quo."

Ruiz said attendees will be advocating for policies like support for charter schools, expansion of the Equal Opportunity Scholarship program and tax credits, and expansion of Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships to help homeless children and the children of incarcerated parents. 

School Choice Capitol Day

• What: Capitol rally in support of school choice policies
• Who: Parents, students and school choice advocates
• When: March 7, 11 AM - 1 PM
• Where: Fourth Floor Rotunda, Oklahoma State Capitol Building

Legislative Committees Advance Equal Opportunity Scholarship Expansions

Oklahoma Legislative Committees Advance Equal Opportunity Scholarship Expansions

OKLAHOMA CITY – Committees in the Oklahoma House and Senate have passed two bills expanding the Equal Opportunity Education Scholarship program. The program currently offers tax credits to donors who give to non-profit organizations funding innovative learning opportunities in rural public schools, or that fund scholarships for students attending private school.

Opportunity Scholarship donations support STEM and arts programs in rural public schools, such as Chickasha High School’s robotics team. In the private sector, schools like Cristo Rey Oklahoma City Catholic High School and Crossover Preparatory Academy in Tulsa rely on Opportunity Scholarships to offer free or vastly discounted college-prep educations to underserved, inner-city communities.

Although proven to be successful, the Opportunity Scholarship program’s growth has been hindered by a tax-credit cap. Currently, the state can only pay out $5 million in tax credits for donors. That limit has been reached for two years in a row, which has discouraged additional contributions.

House Bill 2621, by Rep. Jon Echols, increases the tax credit cap to $60 million, and also allows larger school districts to benefit from programs supporting public schools. In the Senate, Senate Bill 407, by Sen. Dave Rader, increases the cap to $20 million. Both bills were advanced by the Appropriations Committees in their respective chambers.

In attendance at both committee hearings were parents who thanked legislators for their support.

“In our public-school system, Opportunity Scholarship dollars are helping to fund some of the most innovative, successful programs offered in the state,” said ChoiceMatters Executive Director Robert Ruiz. “For those students who attend private schools, students are changing the entire trajectory of their lives thanks to these scholarships. Our thanks go out to lawmakers supporting policies that empower parents and directly impact students.”