Hello, Education Insiders! Every Friday Stand for Children will share with you what’s happening under the dome at 23rd and Lincoln in regard to critical K-12 education legislation. If you have any questions, please contact our operations coordinator, Amy Stinnett, at [email protected], or Gwendolyn Caldwell, our government affairs director, at [email protected]. If you’d like to add your voice for education this session and stand for what is right for Oklahoma children, please visit http://stand.org/oklahoma/ to see how you can help each child receive a world-class education!

Speculation on a budget deal continues, and we are hearing an announcement could be made at any time. With only a few days left, it’s more important than ever to tell your lawmakers that Cuts Have Consequences by signing this petition. Our state leaders are contending with $611 million budget shortfall this year and scheduled tax reductions, which means cuts will have to be made. Our students simply cannot afford any more cuts. So please sign this petition today, then share it with your friends and family who agree education should be kept off the chopping block. If you can find five Oklahomans who also care about our students and will add their names to the petition, Oklahoma lawmakers will not be able to ignore the urgency and importance of this issue. There is power in numbers and if we stand together in this petition, lawmakers will hear us!

There has been no public movement on the issue of third-grade reading and keeping the parent-teacher-school teams in place this week. This bill is necessary to ensure parents

have a voice in whether or not their children are retained in the third grade based on the state’s 3rd Grade English language arts test.. Please continue to contact your lawmakers in support of this legislation.

Tests continue to mislead Okla. parents (being promoted via OCPA social media) As with most states, discrepancies have emerged between student proficiency rates as reported by Oklahoma state tests and the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), known as “the Nation’s Report Card.” For the 2013-14 school year, Oklahoma showed a 35-point discrepancy between state reported proficiency scores and NAEP in fourth-grade reading, and a 29-point discrepancy in eighth-grade math. In Oklahoma, the standard for proficiency and minimum score are set by the Oklahoma Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability. Wayne Greene: Fallin's veto of salary bill is disappointing It’s disappointing that Gov. has vetoed a bill that would have set the salaries of the state’s top elected officials straightforwardly and ended the inappropriate practice of coupling them to the salaries of the state’s top judges. New law bans tobacco use in all schools Tulsa World Editorial The Legislature and Gov. Mary Fallin got it right when they created the new 24/7 Tobacco-Free Schools Act. It bans the use of tobacco products on school property throughout the state. That includes any building housing pre-K through high school classes, including private schools. Off- campus school activities and sanctioned events and activities also are covered. Early childhood conference to spotlight childhood trauma Tulsa World The nonprofit Connected Kids is hosting a presentation Friday to discuss the impact of trauma and neglect on the development of children. Dr. Bruce D. Perry will be giving the keynote speech at noon at the downtown Hyatt Regency Hotel. He has been working as a researcher, educator and clinician in the field of childhood mental health and neuroscience for more than 30 years. When schools and social media clash Tulsa World Editorial A student at Charles Page High School was suspended recently after allegedly using a racial slur in a tweet about the recent Baltimore riots. In a separate incident, nearly a dozen Booker T. Washington students were suspended after one student reportedly posted video of another vandalizing a poster promoting awareness of bullying and harassment of LGBTQ students and the other students allegedly “liked” it on social media. Star Spencer teacher named OKCPS Teacher of the Year Oklahoman Two weeks ago, Samantha Murch was in the hospital giving birth to a son who wasn’t due until July. Wednesday night she was named Public Schools Teacher of the Year for 2015- 2016. Murch, who also coaches soccer at Star Spencer High School, was recognized during a ceremony at Will Rogers Theatre in Oklahoma City.

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A Key Researcher Says 'Grit' Isn't Ready For High-Stakes Measures KCCU 89.3 FM Public Radio (Lawton/Ft. Sill/Duncan) “If you've followed education in the news or at the book store in the past couple of years, chances are you've heard of "grit." Plan for teacher raises sacrifices pension money Muskogee Phoenix Teachers will finally see long-awaited raises under a proposal being batted around the Legislature, but critics say it comes at the expense of retired educators and the solvency of teacher retirement funds, and at least one House leader is vowing to stop it. NTC approves Memorandum of Understanding to host 5-Star Program States vary in success at improving high school grad rates Oklahoman The record high American graduation rate masks large gaps among low income students and those with disabilities compared to their peers. Should 3rd Grade Be the Pivot Point for Early Reading? Education Week It’s become a truism in education policy that reading is the gatekeeper to later academic success. In hopes of ensuring that success, a rising number of states bar promotion for students who do not read proficiently by 3rd grade. The Long Haul: ESEA Reauthorization Timeline Education Week U.S. Sens. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., and Patty Murray, D-Wash., had their fingers crossed that Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., would schedule their bipartisan Elementary and Secondary Education Act reauthorization bill for debate before the May 22 Memorial Day recess. But with McConnell having just teed up a debate on trade instead, that timeline now seems unlikely. State’s early education enrollment ranks near top in national report Oklahoman Oklahoma’s prekindergarten enrollment continues to be among the highest in the nation, according to a study released Monday. The National Institute for Early Education Research conducted the annual review, which found that Oklahoma served 76 percent of 4-year-olds during the 2013-14 school year, compared to 29 percent nationally. Bodine Elementary models suspension reversal district seeks Oklahoma Gazette As Oklahoma City Public Schools looks to reverse its trend of high suspension rates, Bodine Elementary, a low-income and culturally diverse school in southwest Oklahoma City, offers an example of the transformation sought across the district. Treasurer has common sense ideas….good luck Tulsa World Editorial State Treasurer Ken Miller, a common-sense politician, pointed out the obvious last week: Tax cuts without corresponding spending cuts or revenue increases won’t add up. “You cannot always do what is popular, like ... cutting taxes and increasing spending ... and think you’re not going to create a problem that’s eventually going to come home to roost,” he said. 3

Fallin inks bill for arming school employees Associated Press via KOCO Oklahoma school districts could allow teachers and staff with certain firearms training to carry handguns on school property under a bill signed into law by Gov. Mary Fallin. Lawton closing 5 schools, cites budget cuts KSWO Four Lawton elementary schools will be shut down at the end of the year because of impending state budget cuts to education. The decision to close Swinney, Wilson, Park Lane and Brockland Elementary was announced Tuesday. Superintendent Tom Deighan relayed the decision to parents of students at Swinney Elementary during a meeting at the school Tuesday evening. State announces revenue drop in April with plunging oil, gas revenues Oklahoman State budget watchers take note. Plunging oil and natural gas prices have helped cause year-to- date state general revenue fund collections in April to drop below the official estimate for the first time this fiscal year. “We’ve been waving the caution flag all year and it appears April may mark the beginning of the temporary revenue downturn we’ve been expecting,” said Preston Doerflinger, secretary of finance, administration and information technology. Two bills seek to replace EOI exams with one test…but what test? KOSU There are two bills idling in the legislature that would address what many have called excessive testing in Oklahoma’s schools. But the two bills are fundamentally different. Why are there 1,000 unfilled teaching jobs in Oklahoma? KOSU As the school year winds down, administrators are ramping up their search for next year’s teachers. But that search is tougher and more competitive than normal. The state is currently in need of 1,000 teachers, according to State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister. But there’s a shallow pool of applicants. Oklahoma’s $600M Shortfall has some questioning upcoming tax cuts KWTV With the state facing a more than $600-million budget shortfall, some are criticizing an upcoming tax cut. Nearly 100 corporate leaders and non-profit agencies sent a letter to the Governor and lawmakers calling for immediate action. “I do not feel like they are listening to us. They are not listening to the citizens of Oklahoma and they need to,” said Oklahoma PTA board member, Lori Wathen. Raiding Oklahoma Teachers fund would be a bad idea Oklahoman Editorial OKLAHOMA lawmakers are entering the final weeks of a legislative session in which they face a $611 million shortfall but still want to spend new money on politically popular proposals. So it’s not surprising the resulting tension is generating some poorly conceived plans. New Oklahoma state budget expected to be smaller than current one Oklahoman

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Key players in negotiations over a new state budget say it will be smaller than the current one. House Appropriations and Budget Committee Chairman Earl Sears, Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Clark Jolley and representatives for Gov. Mary Fallin are the main participants in budget negotiations. Hager: Short-term strategies drive state into ditch Journal Record: guest columnist Last year, Oklahoma had the fourth-highest growth in statewide gross domestic product and enjoyed the eighth-lowest unemployment rate. The Brookings Institute ranked Oklahoma City’s economy as the seventh-fastest growing in the nation. Despite robust economic growth, Oklahoma faces a $611 million budget shortfall this year. Although a portion of this gap can be attributed to an international slump in oil prices, this is the second year in a row that Oklahoma’s budget needs have well exceeded its revenues. Medal for Excellence winner blends U.S. history with art lessons Tulsa World Mark Twain Elementary School teacher Beth Howard is one of the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence's prestigious medal winners for public school educators. Guthrie bond issue is among several ballot questions in Oklahoma elections Tuesday Oklahoman Six months after a previous proposal was defeated at the polls, school officials in Guthrie are asking voters in the district to approve a $16.2 million bond issue. The proposal is one of several questions voters will see on the ballot in Tuesday’s election. Pam Kanaly: All children possess a hidden talent Tulsa World Stand Point All children possess a hidden talent. Each one wears this title: author. Unbeknownst to them, they write unforgettable messages in a mother’s soul that outrank every New York Times bestseller. My heart has its own secret memoirs, lessons I’ve received from my son and daughter and two amazing stepchildren. I’ve learned through them the value of celebration. What a shame when mothers expect their children to all look “a certain way.” It’s a beautiful awakening when we as moms rejoice over each child’s uniqueness.

We’re tracking hundreds of bills that will impact the success of Oklahoma students this session. But we’re paying especially close attention to a list of bills we’re calling our “Watch List.” As the session progresses, we’ll be updating the list as needed, but wanted you Education Insiders to be in the know.

STATUS: In Committee – Conference COMMITTEE (1): Conf H on Common Education 5

COMMITTEE (2): Conf GCCA (Senate Only) SUMMARY: Requires the State Board of Education to administer a valid and reliable criterion-referenced test that measures only reading proficiency and not proficiency in the language arts to determine the promotion and retention of third grade students pursuant to the Reading Sufficiency Act. (Amended by House, Amended by Senate, Stricken Title, Stricken enacting clause)

STATUS: CCR-CCS Submitted SUMMARY: Establishes the School District Unfunded-Mandate Relief Program which will be administered by the State Board of Education to empower locally elected school district boards of education to avoid unfunded and underfunded state imposed mandates created by state law and associated State Board of Education rules. The bill requires that a school district will be deregulated from certain unfunded or underfunded mandates and associated State Board of Education rules places on upon the school district by the Legislature upon approval of the state board. The bill requires the State Board of Education rules, the amount of funding necessary to implement each mandate and associated State Board of Education rule, and the current level of funding provided by the to implement each mandate and associated State Board of Education rule. The bill requires the list to be approved by the State Board of Education no later than on Feb. 1 of each fiscal year. The bill provides that a state mandate will be deemed underfunded if the level of funding provided by the Legislature is at or below 75% of the funding necessary to implement the mandate as determined by the State Board of Education and to be deemed unfunded if the level of funding provided by the Legislature is at 0% of the funding necessary to implement the mandate as determined by the State Board of Education. The bill clarifies self-referential language. It also expands the scope of school boards exempted from the provisions listed therein. (Amended by House, Amended by Senate, Stricken Title, Stricken enacting clause)

STATUS: In Committee – Conference COMMITTEE (1): Conf H on Common Education COMMITTEE (2): Conf HB1321 SUMMARY: Adds alternative methods for satisfactorily demonstrating mastery of state academic content standards in certain subject areas listed within the bill in relation to the end-of-instruction criterion-reference tests. (Amended by House, Amended by Senate, Emergency Measure)

STATUS: CCR Read

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SUMMARY: Requires the members on a board of education to appoint members if, after the filing period closes, no candidate has filed and a vacancy is created. The bill allows appointment of members outside the board or election district but requires the individual to reside in the school district and to meet other eligibility qualifications. The bill requires a board whose district has an average daily membership of 30,000 or more to give preference to person who expresses interest if he or she resides within the board or election over someone who does not prior to making their appointment.

STATUS: In Committee – Conference COMMITTEE (1): Conf H on Higher Ed & Career Tech COMMITTEE (2): Conf GCCA (Senate Only) SUMMARY: Modifies the qualifications required to participate in the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP) to include a child in the permanent custody of the Department of Human n Services at the time the student enrolls in the program or after completing the 10th grade or reaching the age of 16. (Amended by Senate, Stricken Title, Committee Substitute)

STATUS: H Senate Amendments – Pending SUMMARY: Permits the governing body of a city with a population of more than 300,000 and a school district with 30,000 or more average daily membership to sponsor a charter school. (Amended by House, Amended by Senate, Committee Substitute)

STATUS: Governor Action – Signed SUMMARY: Provides the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board with administrative duties, including decisions on supplemental online courses. The bill authorizes the board to establish a review and certification process for supplemental online courses. It also permits the board to negotiate contracts with the providers of these courses and provide school districts with certified supplemental online courses with an emphasis in science, technology, engineering, math, foreign language and advanced placement courses. (Amended by House, Emergency Measure, Committee Substitute)

STATUS: S House Amendments – Read SUMMARY: Modifies the income level for participation in the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP). The bill changes the measure of the income to federal adjusted gross income from taxable and nontaxable sources and increases the amount to $55,000 from $50,000. (Amended by House, Amended by Senate, Stricken Title, Stricken enacting clause)

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STATUS: In Committee – Conference COMMITTEE (1): Conf GCCA (Senate Only) COMMITTEE (2): Conf H on Common Education SUMMARY: Entitles, beginning with the 2015-2016 school year, a student who is identified at any point of the academic year as having a reading deficiency to intensive remediation in reading until the student is able to demonstrate proficiency in reading at the grade level in which the student is enrolled. It requires for a student enrolled in first or second grades who scores below proficient on a screening instrument which meets the acquisition of reading skills criteria an intensive remediation plan shall be developed by a "Student Reading Proficiency Team. It establishes the members of the team. The bill removes provisions related to students who do not qualify for automatic promotion because of a "limited knowledge" score. The bill extends provisions for probationary promotion to the 2019-2020 school year and removes the school principal from the Student Reading Proficiency Team. The bill clarifies language related to retention of students. (Amended by House, Amended by Senate, Stricken Title, Stricken enacting clause)

STATUS: CCR-CCS Submitted (ON AGENDA) SUMMARY: Requires the State Board of Education along with the Teacher and Leader Effectiveness (TLE) Commission to study continued implementation of the TLE to produce a system that promotes reflection and professional growth for teachers and leaders. (Amended by House, Amended by Senate, Stricken Title, Stricken enacting clause)

STATUS: Conferees Named – Senate COMMITTEE: Conf GCCA (Senate Only) SUMMARY: Requires the State Board of Education, in consultation with multiple other entities, to develop recommendations for the requirements a student must meet to earn a high school diploma. The bill requires the Board to hold public meetings and solicit public input, designate assessments to determine college readiness, and consider alternative assessments. The bill allows the Board to adopt the requirements by May 1, 2016 and a timeline to implement the requirements. (Amended by House, Amended by Senate, Stricken Title, Stricken enacting clause, Committee Substitute)

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