I admit to being somewhat baffled about the state of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs in recent years.
I was troubled by the antagonism and outright hostility they displayed toward valid concerns by the homeschool community last year when OCPA was pushing a "school choice" bill by Sen. Greg Treat. This was followed by the stunning announcement that OCPA supports expanding the sales tax to include services in Oklahoma, a multi-billion dollar tax hike primarily on the backs of small businesses.
Now? OCPA is seemingly abandoning all good sense and advocating in favor of giving drivers licenses to illegal immigrants because... "these people are already driving on our roads" and pay taxes?
There's been some serious compromise on their espoused conservative principles, and my bet is that it's likely driven by the folks with the purse strings that keep their lights on (for example, they've received millions over the years from groups like the Walton Family Foundation, which advocates liberal views of immigration).
Tremendously disappointing.
Read on for to see the serious disconnect in OCPA's logic for yourself:
File this under ongoing school-choice battle. This past legislative session, State Senate leadership aggressively promoted an education savings account/school choice measure (SB 1647), while the State House GOP preferred waiting to see how the open transfer reforms made in the 2021 legislative session panned out.
Act One of the fight seems to have gone to the House, with the defeat of SB 1647 on the Senate floor and some promising signs from the new transfer law.
Speaker McCall, House Republicans tout parental choice success under new open transfer law
OKLAHOMA CITY (OCtober 10th) – Thousands of Oklahoma families have used Oklahoma's new open transfer law to send students to the public schools that best meet their needs.
Nearly 11,000 transfer requests have been made since the open transfer law took effect this year, with more than 8,400 transfers approved, according to State Department of Education data.
State Senate President Greg Treat continues to press for passage of his school choice measure, Senate Bill 1647, the Oklahoma Empowerment Act, in spite of it failing on the Senate floor. SB 1647 (see more posts here) would give eligible students approved to participate in the Oklahoma Empowerment Account Program state aid to access educational services. Eligible students not participating in the public school system would have a government account with $3,500 to over $17,000 in annual deposits to use for qualified education expenses.
Some of the strongest opposition Treat's bill received has come from the homeschooling community. Treat and his school choice allies seem to have been blindsided by this, which is remarkable given that homeschool advocates have been extremely consistent over the years on the issue of directing state funds or public school activities to homeschoolers. This was entirely predictable.
I wanted to do another article with views from the homeschool community to demonstrate why we oppose measures like Treat's, so here we go. This will be a bit lengthy, but it's important, and it's vital for legislators to understand for the future.
Oklahoma is not the only state going through this fad. Further down, I'll cover a little bit from Alabama and Utah, just two states with similar measures working through their state legislatures.
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.
Homeschoolers in Oklahoma have traditionally been extremely wary when faced with proposed measures that would direct tax dollars their way for education purposes, and for good reason. The freedom to home educate in this state is simply unparalleled in the entire nation. Generally speaking, where government funds go, government regulation follows.
The Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) is probably the most important and influential home education organization in the country, advocating and defending homeschool rights since 1983. They continuously analyze state legislation and provide resources on state laws regarding homeschooling. Homeschoolers and state groups oftentimes lean on the legal expertise of HSLDA in examining legislation that could affect home education.
I reached out to HSLDA to get their take on Senate Bill 1647, and here is what one of their staff attorneys came back with:
Here is how I would like to summarize our concerns/comments with Senate Bill 1647:
Homeschooling in Oklahoma, described as providing “other means of education” in both state constitution and statute, has always been understood to be privately funded and parent directed. The concerns with Senate Bill 1647 is that the text of the bill says “nothing in this act shall be construed to require that an empowerment student be enrolled full time or part time in a private school or a nonpublic online school.” Since there is no clear distinction on how Oklahoma Empowerment Account Students would be classified under Oklahoma compulsory attendance law, the homeschool community wants to avoid any potential confusion as there will be regulation with how these public funds can be spent.
HSLDA doesn’t believe the homeschool community wants to prevent anyone from attempting to apply for an Oklahoma Empowerment Account. However, we do want to ensure that those who do apply are not considered to be educating their children at home. There have been numerous examples of publicly funded programs facing increased regulation of how the money can be spent. HSLDA does not object to that regulation, only that homeschool parents not be confused with those who choose to participate in these programs. Other states have created a specific compulsory school exemption for those who choose this option.
I think the amendments to Senate Bill 1647 are only halfway to where the homeschool community would like them to be. But even then, HSLDA would likely be neutral on this program as we are generally opposed to government funding of education because it must, by its very nature, be regulated. Homeschooling as been so successful because it is parent directed and individually designed to meet the needs of the child and family.
As some of you may know, there is a bill in the Oklahoma Senate that would create Oklahoma Empowerment Accounts to publicly fund private education. While parents who have considered transferring their children from public school to private school may find this proposal appealing, they should also recall that any publicly funded program must have state oversight.
As originally written, the money attached to Senate Bill 1647 could have ensnared parents providing other means of education—namely, homeschooling.
Even though the bill has been amended in an attempt to prevent it from applying to homeschoolers, there is still confusion regarding the educational category that Oklahoma Empowerment Students would be in. We believe that students who receive funding from this program should be in a separate category, so it is clear under the law that they are separate and distinct from privately funded homeschool students.
We believe this is necessary to avoid confusion, and possible regulation, in the future for families who desire to privately educate their children at home.
ACTION REQUESTED
Please contact your Oklahoma state senator and urge them to oppose Senate Bill 1647 as currently written. Let your senator know that you don’t want public funds for educating your children at home because you are aware that accepting government money will inevitably entail additional regulations.
I also contacted Homeschool Oklahoma, the state's largest and most influential homeschool group, for their comments.
SB 1647, the Oklahoma Empowerment Act (OEA), is simply about “let the money follow the child” for school choice. But it is equally as simple as “when you receive money from the State, it now has an interest in your child and by default becomes a co-parent”.
Homeschool Oklahoma, formerly known as OCHEC (hsok.org), has been tracking education laws on home education in Oklahoma for over 35 years. We also follow education laws in the other 50 states that affect home education. We have seen many bills that want to put “Private” or “Other means of education (this is a State constitutional phrase)” under more State regulation. We have also watched legislation like the OEA enacted in other states. So why does HSOK oppose this bill and others like it?
Again, simply put, when the State gives you money to educate your child, they now have an interest in your child and how you spend that money. That simple act of receiving the State’s money brings them in as a co-parent. Don’t believe me? Try taking the lead on how your public school teaches your child. Will you, the parent, be permitted to determine their curriculum, their reading list, their hours of instruction, their style of education, the discussion (or lack of discussion) on current events, and how your faith or the faith of others may view personal and public events? You will not. This is also true of Private schools, except you are using your own money to pay for your child’s education. If you don’t like what they are doing, you can use your financial influence to get your way or go elsewhere. But if Private schools take the State’s money, the state will now have an interest in what and how a Private school teaches. It looks like school choice, but now the government has intervened. The OEA will establish the who, what, where, and how of the funds you use. Be assured, the State’s choices will be tailored to political and statist ideals, not yours.
Currently, homeschooling, via the constitutional term “other means of education,” has been removed from OEA eligibility. Why do we then continue to oppose it? First, we believe parents should be able to make educational choices. Second, when possible, those choices should be parent-directed and privately-funded. And of course, we think the best place for most of the learning to happen is in the home. But the OEA moves the line of State money and control from Public Schools only to now include Private Schools. We believe this is a dangerous move for Private schools and for homeschoolers in the future. Remember, the government mostly expands and rarely contracts. It is logical (not fantastical) to believe that once Private schools take State money, then all students should take State money, and that would include those who provide “other means of education”.
So, if this bill passes and other bills expand its reach, we will have 1) a publicly-funded Public School system administered by the Department of Education, 2) publicly-funded Private Schools administered by the Legislature and Treasury Department, 3) privately-funded Private Schools administered by parents, 4) publicly-funded Home Educators administered by the Legislature and Treasury Department, and 5) privately-funded Home Educators directed by the parents. We have seen this necessary division in other states and it is a mess we do not want.
-- Paul M Rose, Trustee and Board President
Oklahoma is not the only state being targeted by national school choice groups with legislation like SB 1647. Politics is all about fads and peer pressure, and this legislation is sweeping into legislative chambers across the nation. One such state is Alabama:
Government Funding for Homeschooling Has a High Cost
Eric Mackey, Alabama’s state superintendent of education, made this observation recently while sharing his concerns about a newly proposed Parent’s Choice Program that would funnel state education dollars from public schools to the private sector, including homeschools.
In his testimony before the Senate Education Policy Committee, Mackey argued that government funding requires government monitoring. And when he says accountability, we don’t have to guess at what he thinks is reasonable.
“I’m not calling for the accountability of homeschool,” he said, “but most states require homeschoolers to register with the state, and they do home visits. That’s the minimum that most states require.”
Setting the Record Straight
Well, he got one out of two points partially correct.
It is true that a majority of states require homeschoolers to file some kind of notification with either their state department of education or a local school district. But home visits? Nope.
No state in America requires a home visit to homeschool.
In fact, exactly every state that has previously attempted to enforce some kind of home visit requirement as a precondition to homeschooling has seen the requirement struck down by courts or abolished by lawmakers, amid constitutional concerns.
Still, Mackey’s intent was clear. He supports ramping up government regulations on homeschooling families if the government starts funding homeschool programs. This position is not entirely unreasonable. We expect government to ensure some level of accountability for programs funded by taxpayers, which is precisely why we do not advocate for the government funding of homeschooling.
At HSLDA, we advocate for homeschool policy that preserves liberty because freedom and flexibility are essential to the continued success of homeschooling. Government money, however, is not. In fact, it is the failure of the government-funded school system that has contributed to an increasing number of parents looking for alternative educational options outside the government-funded system.
Freedom is Still the Best Policy
Kids have been thriving through homeschooling for decades without government funding and oversight.
We can understand why school-choice proponents are seeking educational options for students whose only feasible choice is an underperforming school because the importance of education can hardly be overstated. But the solution for these students must not undermine the liberty of homeschool families who have been spending their own time and money to ensure their child receives a custom-tailored education at home.
What’s the solution? Preserve liberty while providing choice. Legislators who want to empower more choice in education should respect the freedom to homeschool and create policy proposals that ensure parents have the option to homeschool without government money flowing into homeschooling.
Specifically, we would like to see the introduction of tax credits that let homeschool parents keep more of their own hard-earned money.
Homeschooling parents and advocates in Alabama have been actively opposing the Parent’s Choice Program because it fails to preserve liberty. It makes no distinction between parent-directed, privately funded homeschooling and government-funded alternatives. But drafters of the Parent’s Choice Act have indicated a willingness to amend the bill to fix this flaw, though doing so is easier said than done, given the fact that homeschooling operates as a home program of a church or private school.
Hopefully, Alabama lawmakers will listen to their constituents and preserve homeschool freedom.
[Alabama Superintendent of Education Eric] Mackey on Tuesday said he and the department of education weren’t consulted on the bill. But he met with [Senate Bill 140 author State Sen. Del] Marsh earlier in the week to ask for multiple changes to it, including an annual performance testing requirement for students outside of public schools.
He said Alabama has among the most lax homeschool regulations in the country. He said many parents do an excellent job educating their children.
“But there may be people out there who are not really teaching anything to children and we don’t have any way of knowing that,” he said. “…If we include homeschool (in this bill), then we set up a mechanism so we at least have a registry of who those students are, what curriculum they are using — not choosing the curriculum for them, but a registry of what curriculum they’re using — and annual testing of homeschool students.
“… If they’re going to be getting over $5,000 per child in state funds, the state should at least have that information.”
Government funds will come with government strings, and homeschoolers in every state generally have the same response:
One theme that fueled former President Donald Trump’s election was his promise to “drain the swamp” in Washington, D.C. Sadly, the same thing may be needed at the Oklahoma Capitol, as recently demonstrated by the actions of some House Republicans.
The gap between some House Republicans’ campaign rhetoric and their actions in office is enormous. Most Republican lawmakers campaign as conservatives. But in recent weeks, some House Republicans have been anything but conservative, and have instead embodied the worst aspects of the “good ol’ boy” system that has caused Oklahoma to rank so high for public corruption.
In contrast and to their credit, Senate Republicans have focused on substantive issues this year. The most-consequential issue of the year is Senate Bill 1647 [blogger's note: see more posts here], by Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, which would create the Oklahoma Empowerment Account (OEA) Program. Under the program, most Oklahoma students would be eligible for OEA funds, which could be used to pay for a range of education services, including private-school tuition.
However, the bill narrowly failed to pass the Senate. That vote was notable for unprecedented efforts by some House Republicans to interfere with, bully and intimidate senators. During the vote, House Republicans flooded the Senate chamber and senators received communications from some House Republican leaders and lawmakers threatening retaliation against any senator who supported the conservative legislation.
So what do those Republican opponents of school choice think is more important that improving educational opportunity and academic outcomes? Lining their own pockets at taxpayer expense. I wish that statement was an exaggeration.
House lawmakers have advanced House Bill 2486 [blogger's note: see my post here], which shifts state employees from a 401(k)-style plan to a defined-contribution plan. Among those affected are the House lawmakers who voted on the bill.
I'll have more on this later, but State Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat's school choice bill (SB 1647) failed in a vote on the Senate floor late last night. The measure would have given (in something roughly akin to an education savings account) something in the ball park of $3,500 to students to attend private schools instead of public schools.
The measure received one Democrat vote in favor (Brooks) and twenty one Republican votes. In opposition were seven Democrats and seventeen Republicans (mostly rural).
The vote was held open for a lengthy amount of time (around two hours), and was 24-22 in favor at one point. GOP Senators Jake Merrick and David Bullard switched to 'nay' before the conclusion of the vote.
I was told by proponents of the measure that there was no reason for concern because, among other things, SB 1647 was written to prevent regulation of homeschooling. Their viewpoint made no allowance for the distinct likelihood of future alteration of the bill by future legislatures, which is one of the homeschool community's long-standing issue with legislation that seeks to "help" home educators out with vouchers or similar funding.
Epic Charter School and other virtual charter schools were all the rage a few years ago, until things came crashing down with Epic. Now, just a few years removed from the inauguration of a school choice fad, the rules have and continue to be changed. The same thing absolutely can happen with SB 1647.
Here is Dills' press release on new charter school reforms:
Dills' Charter School Reform Bills Pass House
OKLAHOMA CITY (March 14th) – Rep. Sheila Dills, R-Tulsa, won unanimous House passage of a trio of bills that promise increased transparency over expenditures, attendance and oversight policies by Oklahoma public charter schools.
"Charter schools play a vital role in providing school choice options for students and parents in Oklahoma," Dills said. "Still, we must ensure that taxpayer dollars are protected and that we have an accurate and transparent accounting of how they are spent. We also need policies that ensure the academic needs of students are being met."
For the non-Twitter folks, the bottom message was first, I replied to it, then Choice Remarks/Dutcher replied to me.
Dave Bond, Vice President for Advocacy at OCPA, had a series of bizarrepostings on various Facebook pages. When a homeschool parent raised a question about SB 1647, Bond wrote "stop it. They took y’all out of the bill. Stop.", followed closely with another "stop. Y’all aren’t allowed to dictate to other families. Cut it out."
Heaven forbid people comment as citizens with concern about possible legislation. He later commented with this articulate gem: "Why. Are. You. Not. Satisfied. Even. Though. They. Took. Out. Of. The. Bill. What. You. Wanted. Them. To. Take. Out. Of. The. Bill." Unique way of advocating for your organization's position, I guess?
I haven't fully read the bill or listened to the committee hearing, but it appears that homeschoolers can breath a sigh of relief, as the amended version does not include home educators in the program (read these articles for more on why the homeschool community opposed SB 1647).
OCPA statement on SB 1647 passage
OKLAHOMA CITY (March 2, 2022)— Jonathan Small, president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, issued the following statement today in response to passage of Senate Bill 1647 out of the Senate Appropriations Committee. SB 1647, by Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, would create the Oklahoma Empowerment Account (OEA) Program. Under the program, most students across Oklahoma would be eligible for an OEA, which could be used to pay for a range of education services, including private-school tuition.
Corey DeAngelis to receive OCPA’s Citizen of the Year Award
OKLAHOMA CITY (February 25, 2022)—Corey DeAngelis, national director of research at the American Federation for Children, will be the recipient of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affair’s 2022 Citizenship Award.
“Corey DeAngelis is a leading national voice for school choice and an unflinching warrior for the cause of children who deserve greater opportunity,” said Jonathan Small, president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs. “His knowledge of facts and data on school choice is unsurpassed, as is his willingness to debate anyone, anywhere—and win.”
“Corey DeAngelis is well known in the world of free-market policy because he does not allow any falsehood to go unchallenged in school-choice debates,” said OCPA Board Chairman Larry Parman. “Time and again, he has shown that facts matter more than volume, even in online debates, and he is a true champion for the right of children to access the best education possible by funding students, not systems.”
One of the big legislative issues this year is SB 1647, a landmark school choice bill filed by Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat and heavily promoted by several state and national free-market and school choice organizations (including OCPA, who is currently advertising here on my blog).
Seemingly unexpectedly by Treat and allies, the Oklahoma homeschool community is heavily against the measure, arguing that it will lead to future infringements on the unparalled freedom to home educate that we enjoy here in the state of Oklahoma. This opposition could easily have been foreseen, as the homeschool community in Oklahoma has more often had to fight "friendly" legislation aiming to help them than they have had to defend against unfriendly bills.
Here is another op-ed by a homeschool parent giving the homeschool perspective on SB 1647 and similar efforts:
Preserving privately funded education in Oklahoma is vital to education freedom
We Okies have a strong heritage of working hard, providing for ourselves and minding our own affairs. Freedom, which emanates from doing so, is at risk with the advancement of public funding into the remaining remnants of privately funded education in Oklahoma. Senate Bill (SB) 1647, SB 1509, House Bill 3482, SB 1583, SB 1420, and SB 1135 (current bills I am aware of which advance such) are harmful to all Oklahomans.
Bureaucrats, not families, retain power under open-transfer law
By Jonathan Small
When lawmakers voted last year to expand open-transfer opportunity, allowing families to more easily send children to school districts other than the one in which they reside, supporters thought the change would empower parents.
But bureaucrats still hold the upper hand and many parents’ open-transfer choices are limited to Oklahoma’s worst schools.
That fact highlights the need for lawmakers to pass robust, expansive school-choice legislation that allows state funding to follow a child to any school, including private schools. The opportunities created by open transfer simply do not meet the needs of families.
An ongoing review of public data conducted by the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs has covered 13 counties whose schools serve more than 60 percent of Oklahoma students. So far, OCPA has found school districts in those counties have reported more than 10,000 total spots available for open-transfer students, a vacancy rate of less than 3 percent.
As promised, I'm publishing another op-ed on SB 1647, this time coming from a homeschool perspective.
SB 1647, the "school choice" bill authored by Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat (R-OKC), would give parents who choose to not utilize the public school system a portion of their childrens' education dollars (around $3,600 per child) toward educating them by other private means, be that private, parochial, or home schools.
You can read more posts about the measure here, ranging from press releases from Treat and supporting organizations to other, more critical perspectives.
Since this is shaping up to be one of the more heated issues of the 2022 legislative session, I'll have much more to post on this topic from both sides as the legislative session progresses. If you have an op-ed you'd like to submit on this subject, you can contact me at JamisonFaught@MuskogeePolitico.com.
Many thanks to Jonathan Bartlett for submitting the following piece to add to the conversation:
The Homeschooling Community Does Not Want “Oklahoma Empowerment Accounts”
Currently under consideration in the Oklahoma legislature is SB-1647, which creates “Oklahoma Empowerment Accounts” to allow parents who do not utilize the public school system to have access to some of the money that would otherwise have been used for their education in the public school system. While this may sound like a great deal for parents, experience has taught us in the homeschooling movement to be wary of government offers of its money.
Homeschool Oklahoma (formerly called OCHEC) is the primary state organization for homeschooling in Oklahoma. Every year we organize a Capitol Day event, where we go to the state capitol, bring cookies for every legislator, and say, “please, please, please don’t give us anything.”
That may seem strange—why would an advocacy group not want anything? Because we really want the freedom to educate our kids in the way that makes the most sense for our families. Every government favor eventually comes with strings. In fact, government favors should come with strings. Spending other people’s money means that you ought to be accountable to them for how the money is spent. Whether or not there are strings attached now, be certain that any money that you receive from the government will have strings attached in the future.
Take, for instance, The Little Light House, a private Christian tuition-free special needs preschool. When the state first required public schools to provide preschooling services for kids with special needs many years ago, the schools were not equipped to handle it. So, they turned to The Little Light House for help. The Little Light House said that they would be willing, but that they were unwilling to compromise anything about their program to do so. The government agreed, and The Little Light House expanded their operation. However, soon, people started to complain about The Little Light House. It was too Christian. It wasn’t structured the way some parents wanted. So, while the money was originally string-free, the government soon clamped down and made demands. To its credit, The Little Light House rejected both the strings and the money, but, because they had expanded their staff and building to meet the need, they faced budget shortfalls and nearly lost their institution over it.
A new open-transfer law that allows students to shift from one public school to another has been touted as a significant expansion of opportunity for Oklahoma children.
But a review of public data, conducted by the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA), shows a significant share of the slots available through open transfer are in two of the state’s most troubled and academically struggling districts—Oklahoma City and Tulsa.
Otherwise, should students want better options, they are often blocked from transferring, particularly to suburban districts touted as public-school successes.
Those findings come as leadership in the Oklahoma House of Representatives has cited the open-transfer law as justification for not enacting more significant school-choice legislation this year.
“We did a lot of work last year on open transfer and collaborated with everybody on that,” House Speaker Charles McCall said recently. “I personally believe that is the best policy for the state because it works in all four corners of the state.”
McCall made those comments as he announced he would not allow a House hearing on Senate Bill 1647, by Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, which would create the Oklahoma Empowerment Account (OEA) Program.
Under the proposed program, any student eligible to enroll in a public school would be eligible for an OEA, which could be used to pay for a range of education services, including private-school tuition. Money deposited into the account comes from the per-pupil allotment of state funding already dedicated for education of a child.
The state’s new open-transfer law, approved by legislators in 2021, allows for transfer of students between public school districts throughout the year. Previously, such transfers were mostly limited to a short period of time.
Constitutional Home Educators Alliance is an organization 'comprised of veteran Oklahoma home educating families' whose 'primary mission is to educate legislators on issues concerning parental rights and constitutional home education'.
Both HSOK and CHEA have issued statements of concern and opposition to State Sen. Greg Treat's Oklahoma Empowerment Accounts bill (SB 1647) that would give parents who choose to not utilize the public school system a portion of their childrens' education dollars (around $3,600 per child) toward educating them by other private means, be that private, parochial, or home schools.
Pro Tem Greg Treat’s school choice bill advances from Senate Education Committee
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate Education Committee on Tuesday approved President Pro Tempore Greg Treat’s school choice bill that empowers parents with more control over their child’s education.
The committee approved Senate Bill 1647, also known as the Oklahoma Empowerment Act, which would allow parents to use their child’s state education dollars to pursue a variety of schooling options to secure the best education possible for their children.
“The Oklahoma Empowerment Act gives parents more control over their child’s schooling by empowering them with the resources to find the right fit for their child’s education. Children from working families shouldn’t be relegated to a failing school simply because of where they live. Education is key to bringing generational change, and Senate Bill 1647 will empower all parents to find the best educational option for their child to succeed,” said Treat, R-Oklahoma City.
In his State of the State address, Gov. Kevin Stitt made clear he stands with parents before bureaucrats. That was a shock for status-quo defenders but welcome news to families.
Stitt endorsed robust, statewide school choice, saying funding should follow a child instead of being tied to buildings or systems. The governor vowed to “support any legislation that gives parents more school choice” and specifically pointed to Senate Bill 1647, by Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat. That legislation would allow state funding to follow a child to any school, including private schools, giving parents the financial ability to choose a wider array of education options and increasing the likelihood their children will be taught and excel academically in an environment that best serves them.
“In Oklahoma, we listen to parents, because we know God gave kids to parents – not to the government,” Stitt said.
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:
The following opinion piece comments on school choice as it relates to homeschooling (in particular) and a new bill filed by State Senate President Greg Treat. SB 1647, according to ChoiceMatters, "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."
Homeschoolers in Oklahoma have traditionally been extremely wary (as I mentioned previously) when faced with proposed measures that would direct tax dollars their way for education purposes, and for good reason. The freedom to home educate in this state is simply unparalleled in the entire union. Generally speaking, where government funds go, government regulation follows.
This idea sounds good, and it would be beneficial for families who educate by any means. But, I do have concerns about the very real potential for long-term, unforeseen effects and changes brought by future legislatures.
There is somewhat of a divide in the homeschool community on this issue. The more "old school" community - homeschoolers of longevity, who fought the past fights to protect homeschool freedoms, and are primarily religiously motivated - is much more adamant in their stance against measures like this. The "new" crowd (speaking broadly, here) - generally less religious, oftentimes transplants from other states where homeschooling is regulated - is much more open to the idea.
I plan to gather more columns from the homeschool community regarding this proposal, seeking perspectives that see reason to celebrate, as well as from those who see reason to be concerned.
For now, here is one take in favor of Treat's measure:
SCHOOL CHOICE MAKES HOMESCHOOLERS AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS MORE SAFE FROM GOVERNMENT—NOT LESS
by Greg Forstert, Center for Independent Journalism [link]
I understand the concerns some have about protecting homeschoolers from government interference. I have a lot of close relatives who homeschool, including a couple who have been professionally employed providing services to homeschoolers. While my own special-needs daughter currently receives services in a government school, my wife and I took a very serious look at homeschooling several times during the pandemic, including as recently as a month ago.
So as Oklahoma considers an Education Savings Account proposal that would support homeschooling as a legitimate form of choice, I know it’s important to be vigilant about making sure government keeps its meddling hands off homeschoolers. But it’s just as important to be smart, and not undermine the cause of homeschooling with our efforts to protect it. The real-life track record of school choice programs across the country shows that—surprising as this may be to some—the programs greatly strengthen families against government interference, rather than weakening them.
I will take second place in line to absolutely nobody when it comes to vigilance against ever-grasping government. When I was in high school, we had a “dress like you would have looked in the 60s” day. My friends put on shaggy wigs and tie-dye. I put on a Barry Goldwater “IN YOUR HEART, YOU KNOW HE’S RIGHT” button and walked down the hall scolding all my hippie friends: “Get a job!”
I know from experience that a lot of homeschoolers are actually more sympathetic to long hair and granola than to crew cuts and tax cuts. But you can’t tell me I’m not committed to keeping the government’s grubby hands off your freedom.
However, a commitment to freedom is one thing. Ignoring what actually happens in the real world because we have an abstract theory that tells us how things absolutely must happen is another. That’s exactly how movements for change, like homeschooling, can lose their way.
I’ve been a school choice advocate for 20 years, and from the beginning, I have always heard the same thing from champions of a certain abstract ideology: “School choice programs must inevitably become a back door for government to take control of education outside government schools!” And you know, I’m not sure if I have ever, even once, heard this concern expressed as something that could potentially happen—something we need to watch out for, something to be concerned about. It’s always something that must, must, must inevitably happen, like water flowing downhill, or two and two making four, or the French army surrendering. It’s almost as if people feel the need to reassure themselves that their ideology is unconditionally reliable as a guide to the facts.
Instead of talking about school choice programs in the abstract, guided only by ideology, let’s look at the extensive real-world track record these programs have produced. While the earliest school choice programs date to the 19th century, the modern school choice movement began with a voucher program in Milwaukee in 1990. Today, there are 76 programs in 32 states plus D.C. and Puerto Rico that support families choosing non-government educational options. These programs serve over 600,000 students.
There have been no instances of government taking control of the content of education through these programs. None. On the contrary, in every case, protection for the right of educators supported by these programs to teach whatever they want however they want has been resoundingly vindicated both politically and legally.
Every type of school choice program has the same unblemished track record. Some homeschoolers in Oklahoma have argued that a program providing school choice through the tax code would be safer than Education Savings Accounts (in Oklahoma they’re called Oklahoma Empowerment Accounts). I’m in favor of all school choice programs, but Education Savings Accounts are a better program design, and there’s no justification for seeing any difference when it comes to protecting the content of education.
Today in Oklahoma, parents fall into two camps. One camp has the financial resources to move to another school district or independently pay for private school if a local district isn’t working out for their child. The other camp must endure problems and hope things somehow improve because those families don’t have the finances to get their children out of a geographically assigned school.
But Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat wants to level the playing field and provide all Oklahoma parents—from all walks of life and all parts of the state—the ability to send their child to any school of their choice, including private schools.
Senate Bill 1647, by Treat, would create the Oklahoma Empowerment Account (OEA) Program and provide all Oklahoma families with a state account that could be used to pay for a range of education services, including private-school tuition. The money in the account would be based on the per-pupil state-funding allotment already dedicated for a child.
That’s revolutionary. For the first time, Oklahoma would fund students, not buildings, when it comes to education.
Under Treat’s bill, every dime now allotted for K-12 education will continue to go to education. Not one penny will be cut. But instead of giving bureaucrats control, Treat would put parents in charge.
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.
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.
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
