Articles
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Education
Resources available for parents thrust into homeschooling
The Homeschool Oklahoma website has vital information for parents “thrust into home education without any preparation.” They have joined other homeschool organizations nationwide to reach out to parents who suddenly find themselves with children at home and schools canceled for the indefinite future.Mike Brake | March 23, 2020
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Culture & the Family, Good Government
Pursue innovation, remember working families during COVID crisis
“The Covid-19/coronavirus represents a true threat to public health. But even in the midst of unprecedented action, an important balance must be preserved: Action must be taken to reduce public spread of this virus, but it must be done in a way that minimizes the damage to people’s lives."Jonathan Small | March 22, 2020
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Culture & the Family
Legislature to close for another week
Due to the COVID-19/coronavirus event, the Oklahoma Legislature will not convene in session at the Oklahoma Capitol for at least another week, officials have announced.Ray Carter | March 20, 2020
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Health Care
Thousands added to Medicaid through expansion already have coverage
As Oklahoma expands its Medicaid program to include up to 628,000 able-bodied adults, one feature of the expansion that is often overlooked is that tens of thousands being added to the program already have coverage or access to care.Ray Carter | March 20, 2020
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Budget & Tax
Oklahoma budget shortfall looms
The total decline for the 2021 state budget could approach $600 million. And that doesn’t appear to account for new spending mandated by Medicaid expansion, which could cost up to $374 million annually.Ray Carter | March 20, 2020
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Education
State could suspend student testing, school grades
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister has announced that the state will seek a federal waiver to suspend both state testing for the 2019-20 school year and school report cards, two major transparency measures that have allowed officials to track the trajectory of public education in Oklahoma.Ray Carter | March 19, 2020
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Education
With schools closed, education-funding reforms could alleviate parents’ burdens
Amid the many coronavirus-related school closures, several colleges are giving students a partial refund on room and board. Some scholars say parents with pre-K through 12th-grade students deserve similar consideration for education expenses.Mike Brake | March 19, 2020
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Health Care
Many to be exempted from Medicaid-expansion cost-sharing provisions
A top official at the Oklahoma Health Care Authority says Gov. Kevin Stitt’s Medicaid-expansion plan will include substantial exemptions from the cost-sharing and work-requirement provisions that have been touted as the plan’s major selling point.Ray Carter | March 19, 2020
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Health Care, Law & Principles
Coronavirus response undermines case for many regulations
Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed an executive order that waives various regulations in Oklahoma, including mandates restricting the provision of telemedicine, to help address issues associated with coronavirus.Ray Carter | March 18, 2020
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Education
Oklahoma closes public schools—including online schools
To reduce the likelihood of coronavirus exposure among children and school staff, the Oklahoma State Board of Education voted this week to close all public schools from March 17 to April 6—including virtual charter schools.Ray Carter | March 17, 2020