A broader focus ahead on Oklahoma education?

THERE is no doubt education will be a legislative focus this year. What’s most encouraging are indications that lawmakers’ efforts will include policy reforms along with spending increases.

That contrasts with last year when the Legislature shelved most reform measures and focused almost solely on passing tax increases, in part to fund the biggest teacher pay raise in history. Today, average teacher pay in Oklahoma ranks third-highest in the region and, after accounting for cost-of-living differences, ranks as high as 12th-best nationally.

While efforts to further increase funding are still being emphasized, lawmakers also appear to be taking a more holistic view of education that includes important methods of addressing the needs of families and students.

This was reflected in the comments of House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, upon being reelected to leadership. While McCall vowed to raise Oklahoma’s teacher pay to highest in the region, he also endorsed advancement of school-choice policies.

“We must put parents back in charge of their children’s education and give underprivileged families more options and more opportunities to thrive,” McCall said.

That same day, while discussing the importance of hard work in the legislative process, it’s notable Speaker Pro Tem Harold Wright cited as an example the creation of the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship Program for children with special needs, such as autism. That program provides state funds to parents to pay for tuition at private schools designed for their children’s needs. Wright, R-Weatherford, praised the program as something that has “made a significant difference in the lives of children with learning disabilities.”

Wright’s praise of the former Democratic Gov. Brad Henry program is notable because some traditional school districts fought it tooth and nail, going so far as to file lawsuits (ultimately unsuccessful) against parents of scholarship-recipient children.

Yet efforts to create or expand similar school-choice programs for homeless students, low-income families, children in military families, and students with mental illness or addiction problems were needlessly sidelined last year. The comments of House leaders suggest such measures will receive the consideration they deserve this year.

Similarly, in a meeting with The Oklahoman's editorial board, new Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, stressed, “I have been a big proponent of some huge school reforms and I still am.” He supports increasing school-choice opportunities, particularly in urban areas.

“Oklahoma City and Tulsa, long-term, will be impacted detrimentally if we don’t change the way we do things in Oklahoma City and Tulsa,” Treat said.

Because lawmakers boosted education finances so dramatically last year, Treat believes it will be easier to address other needs in Oklahoma education this year, even as lawmakers continue to increase school spending. “Now is the time to get some reforms,” he said.

Those words provide reason for hope to families who understand educational improvement isn’t reflected solely in increased spending, but also in increased choice and opportunity for students of all backgrounds.