Bipartisan “Parent Empowerment Act” Proposed by Senators

OKLAHOMA CAPITOL --Senator David Holt (R – Oklahoma City) and Senator Jabar Shumate (D – Tulsa) have introduced the “Parent Empowerment Act”, Senate Bill 1001, which will give Oklahoma parents the power to force a dramatic change in their students’ underperforming schools. 

The Parent Empowerment Act would create a process where if a majority of parents in an underperforming school sign a petition, they may transition the school to a charter school, or they may ask for the administrators of the school to be terminated. An underperforming school is defined as a school that has received a ‘D’ or an ‘F’ for at least the last two years under Oklahoma’s new grading system, or a ‘D’ or an ‘F’ for two of the last three years, as long as the most recent grade was a ‘D’ or an ‘F’. If the parents choose the charter school option, the charter school will first serve all students in the previous attendance boundaries of the school.

Sen. David Holt
R-Oklahoma City

Sen. Holt explained that charter schools provide more flexibility, and the goal of chartering an underperforming school under the Parent Empowerment Act would be to provide the flexibility needed to improve student performance at the school in a manner led jointly by motivated parents and school district leaders. The process of creating a charter school outlined in the Parent Empowerment Act is designed to create a collaborative relationship between the parents and the school district, rather than an adversarial one. 

“I think everyone involved in education wants the best for our kids, but sometimes schools underperform, and sometimes we all get stuck in a pattern we can’t seem to break,” said Holt. “The Parent Empowerment Act creates a path where parents can work hand-in-hand with school district leaders to break that pattern and set a new tone for their school. I believe this concept has the potential to dramatically improve the education being delivered to students in some of our most challenged schools.”

Sen. Jabar Shumate
D-Tulsa

“I have consistently been inspired by the parents in my district who have fought for a better education for their kids,” said Shumate. “Oftentimes, this has led them to stand up for more choices and more tools, and I have stood with them. The Parent Empowerment Act gives the parents in my district a new tool, and that’s a good thing for our kids. I don’t think that the education of the kids in my district is a partisan issue.”

The power given to parents in the Parent Empowerment Act is often referred to as a “parent trigger” and versions of it have been enacted in several other states, most notably California, where the first "parent trigger" school is now beginning its transition to a charter school. Senator Holt had previously announced in September his desire to give Oklahoma parents this power through 2013 legislation. Oklahoma State Superintendent Janet Barresi has endorsed a “parent trigger” law for Oklahoma, and noted education reformer Michelle Rhee’s education think tank recently did the same. SB 1001 will be considered in the 2013 legislative session that begins February 4th.

New Documentary on Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship Posted

Update: On Nov. 20, 2012, the Oklahoma Supreme Court tossed out the lawsuit against the parents of student with special needs.

Please take time to watch this powerful 25 minute documentary and then share it with your friends and social media networks. 

Earlier this year a district judge in Tulsa County ruled that this life-changing special education school choice program was unconstitutional. The judge gave no basis for the decision. The judge did allow the program to continue during appeal. 

The case is currently on appeal with the Oklahoma Supreme Court. Supporters, and some who oppose the program, asked in separate requests in June for permission to file additional legal briefs in the case. The attorney general and the parents who were sued by two public school districts for using the program have also asked for the opportunity to present oral argument to the court. The Supreme Court has not addressed these requests. 

The Court could issue a decision any day without addressing the pending requests. 

The documentary was shown for the first time last night before a public audience on the University of Central Oklahoma campus. The showing was followed by a panel discussion on the status of the program. 

I will be providing timely updates on this blog as events unfold and I also recommend that you visit https://www.facebook.com/HenryScholarships to learn more and share your stories. 

Thank you for taking the time to watch this important documentary and to learn more about this successful but threatened program. 

Rep. Shumate Honored as BAEO Education Reform Champion

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Rep. Jabar Shumate has been named a national leader in education reformer as part of the Black Alliance for Educational Options’ 2012 Ed Reform Champions Under 40 for his work on expanding educational options in Oklahoma.

            

Shumate (D-Tulsa) was the sponsor of legislation that allowed higher education institutions to authorize charters. He also helped establish the first authorizing contract between Langston University and the Deborah Brown Charter School in Tulsa.

            

“It’s an honor to be recognized by the Black Alliance for Educational Options,” Shumate said. “Although I believe in supporting and improving our public schools, I also believe in supporting alternatives, especially for students in schools that are not adequately serving them. I have supported special needs scholarship legislation and regularly pushed for greater school choice.”

            

The organization launched its Ed Reform Champions Under 40 initiative earlier this year, seeking nominations of individuals under the age of 40 who are increasing access to high-quality educational options for low-income and working-class black families in the United States. The 2012 champions include school leaders, policymakers, teachers, activists, entrepreneurs, students and a journalist.

            

According to Alisha T. Morgan, Director of the Black Alliance for Educational Options Bailey-Sullivan Leadership Institute, “We believe this is the first time black reformers have been recognized as a group on the national level. BAEO is thrilled to identify, honor, and help cultivate the doers in our community who are changing the life trajectory of our most vulnerable children.”

            

The organization plans to solicit nominations and honor champions of education reform on an annual basis.

AG Says Funds From Sale of School Property Financed by Bonds Cannot be Diverted

In an opinion by Attorney General Scott Pruitt released last week schools are told that they cannot divert funds derived from the sale of school property, if the property was purchased with bond funds, to another purpose. 

The request for an official Opinion of the Attorney General was requested by Rep. Jabar Shumate, D-Tulsa. Rep. Shumate asked two questions: 

1.) When a school district sells or disposes of property that was financed in whole or in part by the issuance of bonds, how may the proceeds be used?; and, 

2.) Is there a time limitation past which a governmental bond issuer need not account for proceeds from the sale or disposal of property financed in whole or part by the issuance of bonds?

The opinion states: 

“When a school district borrows funds by the issuance of bonds for a specific purpose and the school district later sells the property, it must either use the sale proceeds representing the funds borrowed and applicable interest paid for the same specific purpose stated in the bond measure, if possible, or it must pay back the proceeds into the sinking fund.”

The opinion says there is no time limit on the requirement to use the funds appropriately saying, "the use of the borrowed funds [being] applicable to subsequent uses as well as to the first use thereof."

Bill Benefiting Classroom Teachers Signed into Law

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 25, 2011) – Oklahomans will have a new way to financially support teachers thanks to an income tax checkoff program signed into law today.

Rep. Jabar Shumate
D-Tulsa

House Bill 1852, by state Rep. Jabar Shumate and state Sen. Judy Eason McIntyre, creates the income tax checkoff and the “Public School Classroom Support Revolving Fund.”

“This new law gives Oklahomans a way to provide direct financial support for educational improvements in our school systems,” said Shumate, D-Tulsa. “I am pleased this legislation received such strong bipartisan support from lawmakers and the governor.”

Under the bill, money donated through the voluntary income tax checkoff would be deposited in the “Public School Classroom Support Revolving Fund.”

The State Board of Education, headed by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, would use the money collected to provide annual grants to public school classroom teachers for supplies, materials, or equipment. 

Applications will be considered on a statewide competitive basis. 

“The legislation was a request from teachers associated with Professional Oklahoma Educators, and in a tough budget year, this was an innovative way to provide extra funds for the classroom while also encouraging innovation,” Shumate said.

House Bill 1852 passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives on a 93-2 vote and passed unanimously in the state Senate before being signed into law by Gov. Mary Fallin.

Rep. Shumate will seek Senate seat

According to the McCarville Report Online, Senator Judy Eason McIntyre of Tulsa has announced that she will retire from the Senate at the end of her current term in two years.

State Rep. Jabar Shumate has reportedly said he will run to fill Sen. McIntyre's open seat.

Reps. Nelson and Shumate Respond

State Reps. Jason Nelson (R-Oklahoma City) and Jabar Shumate (D-Tulsa) discuss the Jenks and Broken Arrow school districts decision to violate state law providing scholarships to special-needs students.