Public Service for Children is neither partisan nor complete: Analysis
Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK
Joe Dorman, Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma has many statesmen who served at all levels and from different political backgrounds.
I have been fortunate to know outstanding men and women who dedicated themselves to Oklahoma regardless of political philosophies and pathways and am pleased in my role to help recognize those who support the children of our state.
The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) annually presents awards to two former public servants who continue to make a difference after elective office. This is the first year we have named those awards; our board of directors authorized naming rights to honor a pair of distinguished careers dedicated to improving the lives of Oklahoma’s children.
Our Republican public servant award has been named after former state representative, Governor, and U.S. Sen. Henry Bellmon. His storied career as a trailblazer in Oklahoma politics is legendary. He led a bipartisan group of senators stopping a federal constitutional amendment that would have prohibited busing to racially desegregate public schools. As governor, he led the charge for historic change to Oklahoma public education with House Bill 1017.
Recipient of the Henry Bellmon Public Servant Award for 2021 is the Honorable J.C. Watts.
Watts, a former college and professional football player, was elected in 1990 to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, the first African-American in Oklahoma to win statewide office. He successfully ran for Congress in 1994 becoming the first African-American Republican U.S. representative from south of the Mason–Dixon line since Reconstruction. He was re-elected to four terms with increasing vote margins. In 1998, he became chair of the House Republican Conference.
After a career in public office, Watts dedicated time to nonprofit work, including service on the board of Ground Zero Emergency Training Center. He co-launched the Black News Channel in 2020 as a 24-hour news channel aimed at an African American audience.
Our Democratic public servant award is named after former state Rep. Laura Boyd. Dr. Boyd has a Ph.D. in psychology and served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives for six years. In 1998, she became the first woman to receive a major party nomination for Oklahoma governor. Boyd is noted for having authored the Ryan Luke Act, which cracked down on child abuse and sexual predators. Boyd is also recognized for pioneering the Oklahoma College Savings Plan. Today, Boyd is founder of Policy and Performance Consultants, Inc.
The 2021 winner of the Laura Boyd Public Servant Award is former state Sen. Judy Eason McIntyre. McIntyre worked for the Department of Human Services, Child Welfare Division, and served on the Tulsa Public School Board for 16 years. She was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 2002 and was one of 16 Black women selected as Fellow for the NOBEL/Women CAWP Leadership Institute. She was the first freshman appointed to the House Speaker’s leadership team.
In 2004, McIntyre was elected to the Oklahoma Senate, representing District 11 until 2012.
Today, McIntyre is a member of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission, a staunch advocate of breast cancer research, and is currently a member of the OICA Board of Directors.
Congratulations to this year’s winners and thank you to those allowing us the naming rights for these two awards. Public servants working together and across party lines will help improve the lives of Oklahoma’s youth. These four Oklahomans all made their mark in this mission.
About OICA: The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy was established in 1983 by a group of citizens seeking to create a strong advocacy network that would provide a voice for the needs of children and youth in Oklahoma, particularly those in the state’s care and those growing up amid poverty, violence, abuse and neglect, disparities, or other situations that put their lives and future at risk. Our mission statement: “Creating awareness, taking action, and changing policy to improve the health, safety, and well-being of Oklahoma’s children.”
Biographical Note: A former state representative, Joe Dorman now guides the work of the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy. He writes often for The City Sentinel newspaper, and for CapitolBeatOK.com.
Public Service for Children is neither partisan nor complete: Analysis Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK
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Steve Fair
President Grover Cleveland was the first Democrat president elected after the Civil War. He served two non-consecutive terms- the only president to do so in American history. Cleveland was elected in 1884 as the 22nd president. He was defeated in 1888 by Republican Benjamin Harrison, after losing his home state of New York.
In 1888, they met again, with Cleveland winning what historians say was the ‘cleanest, quietest and most creditable in the memory of the post-civil war.’ President Harrison’s wife was dying of tuberculosis and he did not personally campaign at all. His wife died two weeks before the election and by that time both candidates had stopped campaigning.
Four other times in our nation’s history, former presidents have sought to win back the White House.
In 1840, Martin Van Buren lost his bid for reelection and then ran again for the Democratic nomination in 1844 and 1848, losing both times.
In 1850, Millard Fillmore became president when Zachary Taylor died in office. He didn’t get the Whig party nomination in 1852, but did in 1856 and got just eight electoral votes.
Ulysses S. Grant wanted to run for a third term in 1876, but was persuaded to not run by Republican Party leaders. Grant sought the GOP nomination in 1880, but was defeated by James Garfield.
Teddy Roosevelt became president in 1901, when William McKinley was assassinated. He won in 1904 and then declined to run in 1908, instead endorsing William Howard Taft. He became upset with Taft and challenged him for the GOP nomination in 1912. After losing to Taft, Teddy ran as an Independent under the Bull Moose Party banner. Teddy spilt the vote and Taft finished third and Democrat Woodrow Wilson won.
Although nothing in the original U.S. Constitution limited presidents to two terms, George Washington declined to seek a third term and suggested two terms of four years were enough for any president.
That became the unwritten rule for presidents until 1940, when Franklin Roosevelt won his third term and then won a fourth term in 1944. He died just months into his fourth term. In 1947, Congress passed the 22nd amendment, which limits the POTUS to two terms. It was ratified by the states on February 27, 1951.
Former President Donald Trump appears to be a 2024 presidential candidate. His speech at the CPAC convention in Dallas was vintage Trump. It resulted in Trump winning the ‘straw poll’ for 2024 potential GOP candidates by a wide margin.
Three observations:
First, Trump is a known commodity. That means he has a strong base of support, but he also faces strong opposition in his own Party. One of the keys to winning a general election is to get those who supported another candidate in the primary to support you in the general election. Trump polarizing personality could make that challenging. Most anti-Trumpers in the GOP wouldn’t vote for a Democrat, but they can stay home.
Second, the swing vote is the key. Trump won in 2016 because he appealed to organized labor with his ‘America First’ theme. In 2020, he didn’t do as well with that group. They didn’t turn out in the numbers necessary to push him over the top. Part of that was due to the slow down of the economy due to the pandemic, but many felt like the return of manufacturing to the U.S. Trump had promised was too slow.
Third, if Trump loses the nomination and then runs on a third-Party ticket, the Democrat will be elected. President Teddy Roosevelt is an excellent example. Ross Perot ran as a third-Party candidate and got Bill Clinton elected by siphoning votes away from President George HW Bush.
It seems too soon to be talking about the 2024 presidential election, but expect Trump to clear the field on the GOP side if he decides to do something no president in modern history has done; seek a non-consecutive second term.
NOTE: Steve Fair is conservative commentator whose essays often appear at CapitolBeatOK.com, an independent, non-partisan news organization based in Oklahoma City, and in The City Sentinel newspaper. Fair is Chairman for the Oklahoma Republican Party in the state’s Fourth Congressional District. Steve can be reached by email at [email protected]. His blog is stevefair.blogspot.com.
Non-Consecutive Presidential Terms: Analysis Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK
CapitolBeatOK Staff Report
OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. John Talley, R-Stillwater, has requested an interim study to investigate clinical outcomes of patients with pain following policies resulting in rapid reductions in opioid prescribing.
The study seeks to examine the effects of the restrictions on prescribed pain medication implemented within the state following the enactment of Senate Bill 1446 in November 2018.
Talley said his goal is to bring together researchers, physicians, patients and policy analysts to hear multiple perspectives on the impacts of existing policies and if they have helped reduce opioid addiction in Oklahoma, as well as examine how these changes have affected patients and their ability to access the treatment they need.
“From the start, there should have been metrics in place to measure the clinical outcomes of patients impacted by laws enacted to address the opioids crisis,” Talley said. “It’s my hope that this study, if approved, will allow us to ensure these well-intentioned policies address the real issue while limiting unintended consequences.”
Talley is working with Rep. Ty Burns, R-Pawnee, and Rep. Preston Stinson, R-Edmond, to organize the study.
“This is a complex issue without a one size fits all solution,” Stinson said. “I look forward to hearing from all stakeholders to ensure that our laws are appropriate, safe, and adequate to address patients’ needs.”
The interim study request was filed under the number 21-105. House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, will announce approved interim studies by this Friday, July 23.
Oklahoma State Representative John Talley of Stillwater leads group of lawmakers requesting Interim Study on Opioid Prescriptions Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK
CapitolBeatOK Staff Report
OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Jay Steagall, R-Yukon, Chair of the House State's Rights Committee, sent a letter earlier this month in response to comments made this week by White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki concerning the Biden Administration’s plan to get more Americans vaccinated, including through a door-to-door outreach program.
The full text of the letter, which was sent to CapitolBeatOK.com and other news organizations, can be seen below.
To the Great People of the State of Oklahoma,
In her July 6, 2021, press briefing, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki presented the Biden Administration’s plan to get more Americans vaccinated, which includes a strategic door-to-door outreach program, an effort that is of serious concern to multiple constituents in the district I represent, other fellow Oklahomans, and myself.
Press Secretary Psaki stated, “The President will outline five areas his team is focused on to get more Americans vaccinated.
“One: targeted, community-by-community, door-to-door outreach to get remaining Americans vaccinated by ensuring they have the information they need on how both safe and accessible the vaccine is.”
Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra made the statement, July 8, 2021, that it is “absolutely the government’s business” to know which Americans have not taken the coronavirus vaccine - another extremely invasive and dangerous assertion manufactured by the Biden administration.
I contend that these types of actions and assertions from the federal government are not just overreaching, but violate multiple provisions of the U.S. Constitution. First, the enumerated powers delegated in Article I, Section 8; the right of the People to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects as found in the Fourth Amendment; as well as the vertical separation of powers prescribed in the Tenth Amendment.
James Madison once stated, “The powers reserved to the several states will extend to all the objects which, in the ordinary course of affairs, concern the lives, liberties, and properties of the people, and the internal order, improvement and prosperity of the state.” Simply put, it is NOT within the federal government’s purview to know the vaccination status of individual Americans, nor is it appropriate for the federal government to enact intrusive measures such as “community-to-community, door-to-door” vaccine “education” efforts.
House Bill 1236, which was introduced and passed overwhelmingly by the Republican majority-led Oklahoma Legislature this spring and signed into law by the governor on May 25, 2021, asserts the reserved state powers mentioned in the Tenth Amendment. This sends a clear message to the federal government of our intention to maintain the balance of powers and to protect the rights of all Oklahomans. One such reserved power of the state is to manage within its own boundaries “pandemics and health emergencies,” as enumerated in HB 1236.
The door-to-door efforts suggested this week by the Biden administration are inappropriate and will not be welcomed in the State of Oklahoma.
Respectfully,
Jay W. Steagall
Chairman, State’s Rights Committee
Oklahoma House of Representatives State’s Rights Committee Chairman Jay Steagall responds to Biden Administration’s Door-to-Door targeting efforts of unvacinated Americans Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK
CapitolBeatOK Staff Report
OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Mike Dobrinski, R-Okeene, commented on the appointment of Bartlett Bouse to the Oklahoma Board of Juvenile Affairs by House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka.
“Mr. Bouse’s career in family law and juvenile justice, as well as his experience in the district attorney’s office, will be invaluable as he serves on the Office of Juvenile Affairs Board of Directors,” Dobrinski said in a press release from state House staff sent to CapitolBeatOK.com and other news organizations.
“I am pleased Bart has agreed to serve his community and northwest Oklahoma in this capacity, and believe he will do so with honor and distinction.”
Dobrinski recommended Bouse, a constituent, and he thanked Speaker McCall for appointing him to the board. Bouse’s term started immediately upon his appointment. He replaced board member Sean Burrage.
Bouse, of Woodward, received his juris doctorate from the University of Oklahoma College of Law, and a bachelor of science in accounting from Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva.
He has practiced general law at his personal firm, Bouse Law Firm, in Woodward, since July 1999. Before that, he was an assistant district attorney in the district attorney’s office in Woodward.
Bouse is a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association and is admitted to practice in Oklahoma, the U.S. District Court-Western District of Oklahoma and the U.S. Court of Appeals-Tenth Circuit.
He served as a member of the Western Plains Youth and Family Service Board, including as president of the board, and as a member of the Woodward County Post Adjudication Review Board. He was commissioner of the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth and a board member of the Woodward United Fund. Bouse also has served on a number of civic boards, commissions and campaigns.
Burrage, a vice president at the University of Oklahoma, had served on the juvenile justice board since 2017. This spring, Burrage notified Speaker McCall – who had (under new legal provisions) appointed him to the post in 2019 – of his intention to resign.
Burrage served eight years in the Oklahoma State Senate (2006-2014). In leaving the OJA Board, Burrage said in a letter to Speaker McCall, “My position at the University of Oklahoma is very demanding, and I need to give as much attention as possible to my duties in that regard. Please know that I feel very confident in the current board and the Executive Director, Rachel Holt.”
Burrage is known for his passion for juvenile justice system reforms. In addition to his legislative service, he was president of Southeastern Oklahoma State University for five years, and previously was a partner in the Taylor Burrage Law Firm.
The Board of Juvenile Affairs sets policy for the Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) and is the rulemaking body for the office. The board is responsible for reviewing and approving the budget, assisting the agency in planning activities related to the priorities and policies of the agency, providing a public forum for receiving comments and disseminating information to the public, and establishing contracting procedures for the agency and guidelines for rates of payment for services provided by contract.
Note: Mike Dobrinski represents District 59 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which includes which includes Dewey County, and parts of Blaine, Canadian, Kingfisher and Woodward counties. Patrick B. McGuigan contributed to this report.
Representative Mike Dobrinski praises Bartlett Bouse as new member of the Board of Juvenile Affairs, replacing Sean Burrage Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK CapitolBeatOK Staff Report OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Todd Russ, R-Cordell, recently commented on funding for senior nutrition sites throughout Oklahoma. “In light of the exceptionally good financial condition of the state and the generous appropriation by the Legislature this year to the Department of Human Services, as well as additional pandemic relief funding, I was expecting a great report of adequate funding for our senior nutrition centers this year. “In talking with several directors of these centers, however, I was surprised to hear they are still experiencing a problem with funding to match community needs. I’ve worked on this issue with DHS for a number of years. They’ve given me their word they will work with the three agencies that oversee the coordination of these programs and will review all financials and let me know their findings.” In his comments, sent to CapitolBeatOK.com and other news organizations in a legislative press release, Rep. Russ said he’s not pointing fingers, he just wants to make sure the senior nutrition centers get appropriated dollars given by the Legislature to feed people that rely on them for daily nutrition. “These centers are vital to our senior population, not just for meals but also for the social interaction they provide” Russ said. “We will get to the bottom of this and make sure these programs get appropriate funding.” According to the Department of Human Services (DHS) Fiscal Year 2020 annual report: Statewide, 184 meal sites provided congregate meals to older adults in environments that encouraged social engagement, health and wellness activities and meaningful volunteer roles for older adults. In addition, federal funding through the Older Americans Act provided home delivery of meals directly to participants’ homes. Through March 2020, 1,732,506 were delivered through congregate sites or to homes. Note: State Rep. Todd Russ represents District 55 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which includes Roger Mills and Washita counties and parts of Beckham, Greer and Kiowa counties. Oklahoma State Representative Todd Russ Comments on Senior Nutrition Center Funding Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK
CapitolBeatOK Staff Report
OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, commented earlier this month concerning news that the National Education Association (NEA) vowed to support and promote the use of Critical Race Theory in public school classrooms at its recent annual meeting and representative assembly.
“When we ran legislation to prohibit the teaching of Critical Race Theory in Oklahoma public schools, we heard multiple allegations that this wasn’t a problem and this wasn’t being taught in our schools,” West said.
“Now we see that the largest teachers’ union in the nation, and the parent organization of the largest teachers’ union in the state, is pushing this harmful curriculum. This proves that Oklahoma Republican legislators were prudent to get in front of this issue and stop this increasing push to indoctrinate our children.”
NEA is the parent organization of the Oklahoma Education Association (OEA), which reports 16,560 active members in the state. OEA members took part in NEA’s recent virtual conference.
West is the author of House Bill 1775, signed into law by Governor Kevin Stitt this year. The bill took effect July 1. Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, is the Senate author of the bill.
The measure prohibits Oklahoma public schools, colleges and universities from incorporating certain messages about sex and race into any course instruction and also prohibits state higher education institutions from requiring mandatory gender or sexual diversity training or counseling. Voluntary counseling is permitted.
This week (on July 12), the Oklahoma State Board of Education passed rules for implementation of the new law in classroom teaching (https://ift.tt/2Ua8DOP ). With only one dissenting board member, the action begins a process for development of specific guidance to state teachers, to include a ban on racist teaching that any race is superior to another.
The president of the state NEA affiliate – Katherine Bishop of the Oklahoma Education Association – commented on the new rules, saying: “We believe this should clear up some confusion and gives Oklahoma’s educators the confidence to continue teaching as they have been since the standards were adopted. We encourage the involvement of education professionals in the full rule-making process moving forward.”
Board member Estela Hernandez passionately defended H.B. 1775 and the education agency’s new rules, pointing out the law anticipates coverage of content in state standards, stressing that includes “the dark areas of American history.”
(https://ift.tt/2Ua8DOP)
As for the underlying legislation, as the House legislative staff release pointed out, “House Bill 1775 does not stop the teaching of history or anything currently in Oklahoma education standards, including curriculum that shows historical examples of racism or genocide.”
Teachers can teach about slavery in America, the Holocaust, the Tulsa Race Riot and other topics.
Students also can discuss these events and their feelings about them.
According to the House staff press release:
“Critical Race Theory, however, is based on Marxist ideology that is designed to teach children to hate American exceptionalism and distrust others based on skin color or gender. Additionally it teaches that most laws and systems in America are historically rooted in the racist oppression of marginalized people groups. It promotes the theory of implicit bias and inherent racism due to one’s skin color.”
H.B. 1775 specifically states that no teacher, administrator or other employee of a school district, charter school or virtual charter school shall require or make part of a course the following concepts:
• one race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex,
• an individual, by virtue of his or her race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously,
• an individual should be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment solely or partly because of his or her race or sex,
• members of one race or sex cannot and should not attempt to treat others without respect to race or sex,
• an individual’s moral character is necessarily determined by his or her race or sex,
• an individual, by virtue of his or her race or sex, bears responsibility for actions committed in the past by other members of the same race or sex,
• any individual should feel discomfort, guilt, anguish or any other form of psychological distress on account of his or her race or sex, or
• meritocracy or traits such as a hard work ethic are racist or sexist or were created by members of a particular race to oppress members of another race.
NOTE: Editor Patrick B. McGuigan contributed to this report.
Representative Kevin West of Moore criticizes NEA defense of Critical Race Theory Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK Kay Floyd of Oklahoma city Senate Democratic Leader will lead Interim Studies of youth suicide7/14/2021
Staff Report
OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Democratic Leader Kay Floyd plans to study youth suicide during the interim as suicide rates across the state continue to skyrocket.
Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, approved the three study requests earlier this month.
“Statistically speaking, we’re seeing a drastic rise in youth suicide rates in Oklahoma across all zip codes,” said Floyd, D-Oklahoma City.
“It’s imperative that we take a deep dive into the issues causing youth suicide, what programs are in place to combat it, and what we can do legislatively to improve outcomes in the future.”
Floyd said each Interim study will take an overarching look at the problem from a different lens, so all sides of the issue are adequately understood.
The studies she is guiding will include:
• A review of statistical data involving cases of youth suicide, including race, gender, geographic and economic stability, as well as the public and private initiatives currently in place to reduce youth suicide.
• A look at the top categories of child death in the state as reported by the Child Death Review Board. Discussions will center on how policy changes could help reduce different causes of death.
• Analysis of the significant growth of pediatric suicide deaths and hospitalizations since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and how the state can better respond to this crisis. This study will be held jointly with Sen. Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City.
“According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Oklahoma’s suicide rate ranks significantly higher than the national average,” Floyd said.
“It’s clear we have a mental health crisis in our state, and we must do everything in our power to bring this issue to light and work together to find solutions to this escalating problem.”
The studies were assigned to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and now await scheduling by the committee chairman.
Kay Floyd of Oklahoma city, Senate Democratic Leader, will lead Interim Studies of youth suicide Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK
Ray Carter
Under regulations approved by the Oklahoma State Board of Education, school districts could lose accreditation and teachers could lose their licenses if they violate a new state law that bans the teaching of concepts associated with Marxist-derived Critical Race Theory (CRT).
The board’s action came Monday (July 12) after members of the public — including teachers, racial minorities, and parents — urged adoption of the rules.
“As educators, we hold the monumental responsibility of stewarding the brightest minds, greatest innovators, and the analytical thinker,” said Leah Hull, a Tulsa resident who worked as a teacher until 2018 and who is a “direct descendent of slaves” as well as Muscogee Nation and white forebears.
“Critical Race Theory, or CRT, denies students the ability to process new experiences and new situations. It prejudices or prejudges every situation and every experience by assuming that one must look critically at those around them for fear that their race or sex will dictate superiority, that by virtue of your race or sex you are superior, or that solely by your experiences as a preferred race or sex you should now be treated adversely to assume levels of shared oppression. Thus, CRT creates a breeding or fertile ground for learned implicit bias. Critical Race Theory assumes that we have an inherent problem of race, assumes that we must problematize the issue of race further, and assumes divisions and separations exist and must be critically analyzed through the lenses of ‘oppressed’ versus ‘oppressor.’ Critical Race Theory is at odds with basic, logical thought.”
House Bill 1775 banned Oklahoma’s K-12 schools from teaching several concepts associated with Critical Race Theory, including that “one race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex,” that “an individual, by virtue of his or her race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously,” or that an individual “should be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment solely or partly because of his or her race or sex.”
(https://ift.tt/3B82eEu)
The law took effect on July 1, but emergency regulations that provide for its enforcement had to also be approved by the State Board of Education.
The new regulations include a prohibition on segregated classes, programs, training sessions, extracurricular activities, or affinity groups unless such groups are permitted by federal law.
(https://ift.tt/3kjtsSz)
Under the regulations, parents and legal guardians have the right “to inspect curriculum, instructional materials, classroom assignments, and lesson plans to ensure compliance” with H.B. 1775.
Schools are required to develop a complaint process and have 90 days to investigate. However, that period covers a substantial part of the school year since Oklahoma schools are required to meet for just 165 days annually (https://www.ocpathink.org/post/four-day-school-week-survives-new-law).
A parent can also file a complaint with the State Department of Education, provided a complaint is not simultaneously filed with the local district, and parents may file a complaint with the department if they feel a district’s investigation was flawed.
The regulations bar schools from contracting with outside entities to conduct programs that include material banned by H.B. 1775, and the State Department of Education cannot apply for grants that violate H.B. 1775. Schools are also prohibited “from adopting diversity, equity, or inclusion plans that incorporate the concepts” barred by H.B. 1775.
Under the regulations, school districts that fail to comply with H.B. 1775 can have their annual accreditation status downgraded and districts that do not address shortcomings for two years in a row can face the loss of accreditation, which would result in closure or annexation.
Teachers who violate H.B. 1775 could face loss of a teaching certificate, and any school employee who retaliates over the filing of a complaint could also face the loss of his or her teaching certificate or license. Teachers who file complaints against colleagues would be provided whistleblower protections.
The State Department of Education will provide quarterly compliance reports to the State Board of Education.
Several individuals appeared before the board to encourage adoption of the rules.
Mary Lippert, an Oklahoma City resident, said students at Edmond North High School were required to take a “privilege walk” and one student was singled out as the “most privileged.” Those students had to answer questions that included whether their family employed lawn-service workers or house cleaners, whether there was substance-abuse in their household, and whether they would think twice before calling police.
Tina Craig, who recently retired from Tulsa Public Schools after 31 years with the district, said teachers in Tulsa have been subjected to training infused with the tenets of Critical Race Theory.
“All teachers were required to undergo bias training in Tulsa Public Schools,” Craig said. “I was told that there were two races: white and color. Job applications have more than two races on them. They tried to convince me that I have ‘white privilege.’ Yes, I do have white privilege — the privilege to pay my taxes to go to work every day to support my God and my country. Those are my privileges. I will never apologize for what God has made me.”
Barbara Bowersox, an Oklahoma City resident, noted that parents have “limited resources” and said the state should reduce the financial challenges facing parents concerned about the content of their children’s lessons.
“They should not have to go to court to get judicial protection for their children who just want to learn academic subjects to prepare themselves for successful lives,” Bowersox said.
Nancy Fisher Sangirardi, a retired teacher, similarly stated, “Our children are our most precious commodity, and we have the right to know what is being presented to them in the classrooms.”
“We want a full list, as parents, of what the curriculum is that they’re asking for us to be okay when we enroll our children,” said Tulsa parent Melissa Remington. “We’re asking that the teachers stick to the curriculum, not imply that they will bring in their own books — and we have seen that in Tulsa Public Schools this year.”
Leah Hull, who has also lived and worked in China and India, said CRT criticisms of the United States are not based in reality.
“As an accomplished educator with global experience, including engaging in various cultures and ethnicities, my experiences allow me to unequivocally declare the United States of America is one of the most free — if not the freest — nation in the world in regards to human rights,” Hull said. “Our nation champions the basic privilege of equality bestowed to all men.”
In an interview, Hull said her diverse heritage played a role in her decision to speak out publicly against Critical Race Theory.
“I will always speak out because the America that I know never oppressed me,” Hull said. “The United States of America that I know has always given me the opportunity to succeed.”
Only one citizen spoke against adoption of the HB 1775 regulations — Sapphira Lloyd, a public-school student who is black. She said children are not being taught to feel guilt over the actions of historic figures based on shared heritage.
“Nobody is telling children that they are bad people because Christopher Columbus, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson were,” Lloyd said.
She said H.B. 1775’s prohibitions will negatively impact teaching.
“Native American voices are not heard, because we’re still on their land,” Lloyd said. “Latinx/Hispanic communities are never cared for. Black voices have never been heard, yet here we are still trying. Are we going to forget the fact that Thomas Jefferson and all of our famous Founding Fathers were slave owners?”
State board member Carlisha Bradley, who is black, echoed Lloyd’s assessment, saying H.B. 1775 lacked clear definitions.
“With us operating on an unclear definition of Critical Race Theory, I do believe that this bill and these rules continue to propel fear in teaching the true and accurate history of our country,” Bradley said.
Bradley said if she had been a state lawmaker, she “would have voted no on House Bill 1775.”
“With this legislation, with these rules, we are robbing students of the opportunity to have a high-quality education, to think critically about the world around us, and to build a more just society,” Bradley said.
But state board member Estela Hernandez, who is Hispanic, said the regulations provide clarity, noting the law allows teachers to cover any content in state academic standards, which she stressed include “the dark areas of American history.”
“For those teachers who feel fearful about teaching, don’t be,” Hernandez said. “Just stick to those standards. Just teach history the way that is outlined there.”
The board voted to adopt the regulations on a 5-1 vote with Bradley the lone opponent. Most board members who approved the regulations were racial minorities and/or women, two groups typically described as “oppressed” under the rubric of Critical Race Theory and its offshoots.
The Oklahoma Education Association, the state’s largest teachers’ union whose leadership previously criticized (https://ift.tt/3r8tNbY) H.B. 1775, issued a brief statement following adoption of the regulations.
“We believe this should clear up some confusion and gives Oklahoma’s educators the confidence to continue teaching as they have been since the standards were adopted,” said OEA President Katherine Bishop. “We encourage the involvement of education professionals in the full rule-making process moving forward.”
NOTE: Ray Carter is director of the Center for Independent Journalism. His news story first appeared at the website of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, here (https://www.ocpathink.org/post/teachers-face-loss-of-license-for-racist-instruction). Carter has two decades of experience in journalism and communications. He previously served as senior Capitol reporter for The Journal Record, media director for the Oklahoma House of Representatives, and chief editorial writer at The Oklahoman. His reports often appear online at this website, and in The City Sentinel print edition.
Teachers Face loss of license for racist instruction Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK
Ray Carter, Center for Independent Journalism
Following a session in which he signed school-choice expansion and tax cuts into law, a new poll shows 59 percent of Oklahoma registered voters approve of Gov. Kevin Stitt’s job performance and 63 percent believe Oklahoma is headed in the right direction.
Those figures were released by Amber Integrated, a public-affairs firm whose services include lobbying, media relations and survey research. The survey of 500 registered Oklahoma voters was conducted from June 24 to June 28 and had a margin of error of 4.38 percent.
(Polling details here: https://ift.tt/3hA6qVC)
This year Stitt signed (https://ift.tt/3wCy4p9) into law an expansion of the Equal Opportunity Scholarship program, which provides tax credits to donors who voluntarily contribute funds to support education, including funds for private-school scholarships. That measure was one of several education-related items that became law this year, along with new funding for public charter schools’ facility needs, changes that reduce “ghost student” funding and ensure money follows a child more quickly to the school they currently attend, a record appropriation of $3.2 billion for K-12 education, increased open-transfer opportunities so children can choose from among public-school districts, and legislation banning instruction that tells children there is a superior race or gender (https://www.ocpathink.org/post/stitt-signs-ban-on-racist-teaching)
Stitt and legislative leaders declared education reform a major accomplishment of the session and proclaimed 2021 the “Year of Oklahoma’s Education Turnaround.”
(https://ift.tt/3vnGL7a)
Stitt also signed legislation that reduces the personal income tax from 5 percent to 4.75 percent and reduces the corporate income tax from 6 percent to 4 percent. In addition, Stitt and state lawmakers dramatically increased state savings, bringing total savings above $1 billion for only the second time in Oklahoma history.
Those measures fall in line with Oklahoma voters’ top concerns, according to the Amber Integrated survey, which showed that “jobs and the economy” was cited by 33 percent of voters as the number one issue facing the state, followed by 15 percent of voters who listed education as the number one priority. COVID-19 was cited as the state’s top priority by only 8 percent of voters.
The poll found a larger share of Oklahoma voters approve of Stitt’s job performance than approve of the job performance of the state’s two U.S. senators, although all received majority support. The survey found 52 percent of Oklahoma voters approved of U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe’s job performance and 54 percent approved of U.S. Senator James Lankford's performance.
In contrast, just 42 percent of Oklahoma voters approved of President Joe Biden’s job performance while 53 percent disapproved, including 40 percent who strongly disapproved.
While 80 percent of Stitt’s fellow Republicans approved of his job performance, he also received high marks from a significant share of other subgroups. Those giving Stitt positive ratings included nearly 32 percent of Democrats, 33 percent of black voters and nearly 69 percent of Hispanic voters surveyed.
When those surveyed were asked if “things in Oklahoma are going in the right direction” or have “pretty seriously gotten off on the wrong track,” those saying the state is headed the right direction included 57 percent of Democrats along with nearly 69 percent of Republicans. Among all age groups surveyed, strong majorities said Oklahoma is on the right track, as did nearly 52 percent of black voters, nearly 65 percent of white voters, 73 percent of Hispanic or Latino voters and 80 percent of Asian voters.
Among subgroups, only those identifying as Native American were pessimistic about the direction of the state with 63 percent saying Oklahoma was on the wrong track.
NOTE: Reporter Ray Carter’s news report first appeared at the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs website, here: (https://ift.tt/3AZIKll). Carter is director of the Center for Independent Journalism, based at OCPA.
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt gets high approval after successful session Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK |
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