Articles
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Education
Barrier to special-needs education access could fall
Children with special needs would have faster access to a state scholarship program that pays for private-school tuition under legislation approved by an Oklahoma Senate committee.Ray Carter | February 14, 2023
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Education
Senators seek to improve Oklahoma’s abysmal student performance
Expectations matter. For too long, Oklahoma has sent the implicit message that we don’t expect students to learn to read or do well in academics. The need for change is clear. Senate lawmakers deserve credit for trying to raise the bar.Jonathan Small | February 14, 2023
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Education
Legislation would reduce Oklahoma high-school athletic competition
Legislation has been filed that supporters say could result in private schools being barred from playoffs that include public schools. Essentially, state high-school athletics could be divided into two separate systems, one for public schools and one for private schools.Ray Carter | February 13, 2023
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Education, Culture & the Family
School transparency bill clears Oklahoma House subcommittee
Parents would have online access to textbooks and instructional materials used in their children’s classes under legislation that has won easy approval in a state House subcommittee.Ray Carter | February 13, 2023
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Culture & the Family
Missouri scandal adds urgency to Oklahoma child-protection effort
The attorney general of Missouri is investigating allegations that a transgender center in St. Louis has been harming hundreds of children each year, including by using experimental drugs on them. Oklahoma lawmakers say this news adds urgency to their efforts here.Ray Carter | February 10, 2023
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Law & Principles
OCPA praises Attorney General for fighting federal overreach
OCPA President Jonathan Small today praised Attorney General Gentner Drummond for threatening to sue the Biden administration if it does not withdraw a dangerous rule by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that designates the lesser prairie chicken as a threatened species.Staff | February 10, 2023
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Culture & the Family
Oklahoma lawmakers approve bill declaring woman means woman
Members of an Oklahoma Senate committee have advanced legislation to standardize state law and ensure that all references to women in statute are explicitly defined as individuals declared female at birth.Ray Carter | February 9, 2023
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Culture & the Family
OCPA praises senators for protecting children and teens
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs President Jonathan Small today praised senators for advancing legislation that would prevent children from undergoing sex-reassignment surgeries, cross-sex hormones, or puberty blockers, before age 18.Staff | February 9, 2023
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Education
Facing strong school choice support, union touts push poll
A new poll released by public-school interest groups says Oklahomans oppose school choice. In contrast, the polling firm that was correct about the Stitt-Hofmeister race continues to find lopsided support for school choice in Oklahoma.Ray Carter | February 9, 2023
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Education
Here’s how to raise Oklahoma teachers’ pay
If all of these proposals were adopted, a high-performing teacher could see an approximately $24,000 pay raise. That may sound fanciful to some, but it proves that there is a route to making a robust financial commitment to teachers while also reforming the education system so that those investments are aimed at improving student outcomes.Curtis Shelton | February 9, 2023