Articles
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Higher Education
Experts warn Oklahoma college DEI programs likely illegal
Oklahoma’s higher-education chancellor told lawmakers that colleges are forced to impose DEI requirements because it has become a condition of accreditation. But that’s not the full story, experts say.Ray Carter | October 19, 2023
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Higher Education, Law & Principles
Expert endorses better due-process rights for Oklahoma students
During a legislative study, a national expert urged state lawmakers to pass legislation to significantly bolster the due-process rights of students at Oklahoma colleges and universities, warning that the processes used by many schools cannot survive judicial scrutiny.Ray Carter | October 17, 2023
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Education
Teachers union touts website criticized as ‘a pedophile’s paradise’
For “National Coming Out Day,” the National Education Association (NEA) is encouraging educators to use materials that suggest students should be prepared to leave their family home.Ray Carter | October 16, 2023
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Higher Education, Economy
Time for Oklahoma workforce scholarships
With an “Oklahoma Workforce Needs” fund, policymakers can better prepare young adults for the best-paying jobs of the future and put our state economy on a path of greater growth.Jonathan Small | October 16, 2023
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Education, Law & Principles
AG warns Tax Commission on rules for school-choice program
In a letter to the Oklahoma Tax Commission, Attorney General Gentner Drummond warned the commission that its proposed rules for the Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit Act impose excessive bureaucracy not authorized by the law and fail to make the program user-friendly for parents.Ray Carter | October 13, 2023
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Education
Absenteeism surging in Oklahoma schools
A recent legislative study highlighted another downside of COVID school shutdowns: They are associated with a much higher level of chronic absenteeism after the pandemic.Ray Carter | October 12, 2023
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Economy
Anti-ESG law benefiting state economy
A state law that prohibits Oklahoma government entities from using investment firms that boycott energy companies is having a small but positive impact on Oklahoma’s economy, lawmakers were told at a legislative study.Ray Carter | October 11, 2023
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Education
School climate outweighs pay in teacher retention
During a recent legislative study, lawmakers were told one reason for the persistence of the teacher shortage is that school climate and societal trends can outweigh financial considerations for many teachers.Ray Carter | October 11, 2023
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Budget & Tax
Republican senators back Stitt on tax cuts
A growing number of Republican senators are now publicly voicing their disagreement with the decision to adjourn the special session to take up tax cuts and backing Gov. Kevin Stitt’s call to cut taxes for Oklahomans.Ray Carter | October 9, 2023
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Culture & the Family
Ban on youth sex-change surgeries survives court challenge
An Oklahoma state law that makes it illegal to provide children with puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones or sex-change surgeries as a treatment for gender dysphoria has survived the first round of an ongoing court challenge.Ray Carter | October 6, 2023