Obama is ignoring anti pot laws, fighting school choice law

Let me get this straight. Pres. Obama is ignoring a federal law out of respect for state laws allowing parents to buy and use marijuana but he is fighting a school choice law in Louisiana that empowers parents to choose a better school for their child.

Obama sues to stop parents from using LA school choice law

Baton Rouge, La. – The American Federation for Children, the nation's voice for educational choice and its state affiliate, the Louisiana Federation for Children, last week strongly condemned President Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder for seeking to limit educational options for the children of Louisiana. A motion filed by the U.S. Dept. of Justice seeks to prevent the state of Louisiana from offering school vouchers to children in school districts with existing desegregation orders for the 2014-15 school year unless the state receives authorization from the federal court overseeing the desegregation case.

Kevin P. Chavous

“President Obama's assault on educational options is unprecedented and directly impacts low-income families who have the right to high-quality educational options," said Kevin P. Chavous, executive counsel to the American Federation for Children. "We remain committed to fighting for children and ensuring those trapped in failing schools are not left behind."

(Read Chavous' Blog post "Obama to Louisiana Children: ‘You must remain separate and not equal’")

The Louisiana Scholarship Program awarded scholarships to 8,000 students for the 2013-14 school year after receiving nearly 12,000 applications from parents across the state who demand better choices for their children. In just one year, the Louisiana Scholarship Program showed a 60 percent growth, highlighting the popularity of this program that offers scholarships to students trapped in failing schools. To qualify, students must either be enrolled in a school ranked C, D or F or be entering kindergarten for the first time; they must also meet strict income guidelines.

Across the state, 128 schools in 32 parishes are participating in the Louisiana Scholarship Program, which was expanded statewide in 2012. Prior to the expansion, the program served children in New Orleans since its creation in 2008.

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Kevin P. Chavous is a noted attorney, author, and national school reform leader. A former member of the Council of the District of Columbia and a former chairman of D.C.’s Education Committee, Chavous was responsible for enacting numerous education reforms in D.C. Chavous also presides as board chair for Democrats for Education Reform and is a former chair of the Black Alliance for Educational Options.

For the record: my position on Common Core

The context of a quote in the Oklahoma Watch story "Effort to block Common Core education growing in Oklahoma" does not accurately reflect my position on this issue. The story ran in the Sunday, August 25, 2013, editions of the Tulsa World and The Oklahoman.

The story erroneously states, "I definitely plan to introduce legislation" that would repeal and replace Common Core.

I provided the following statement to the editor of Oklahoma Watch on Monday: "I'm still visiting with constituents, educators and others about the merits of the Common Core Standards already adopted by the state and do not have plans to introduce legislation repealing existing standards. I do intend to file legislation to prohibit the state from adopting the science and social studies Common Core State Standards."

While I'm on the subject, I also intend to file legislation to prohibit the State from accepting federal education funds requiring adoption of or compliance with the Common Core State Standards.

I will continue to work with Representative David Brumbaugh to better protect student data which is related to how the Common Core is implemented.

Because of the misunderstanding and confusion created by this article, I wanted to take a moment to inform readers of my position.

Barresi Calls for $2,000 Raise for Oklahoma Teachers

Oklahoma City –Oklahoma State Schools Superintendent Janet Barresi this weekend called for giving all Oklahoma teachers a $2,000 raise.

The raise would not require increased state appropriations, but could be funded by tapping surplus funds and reducing schools’ administrative overhead.

“How many of you have heard of all the teachers leaving for Texas?” Barresi asked the crowd of administrators and school board members attending a Saturday event hosted by the Oklahoma State School Boards Association. “With a $2,000 raise, we will see Oklahoma teacher pay jump past numerous states, including our neighbor to the east, Arkansas, and get within just a few dollars of Missouri. We’ll also cut by more than half our gap with Texas.”

To provide teachers that raise, however, Barresi said Oklahoma’s school administrators will need to reset priorities. Oklahoma schools are facing a massive shortage of quality teachers.

“Our shortage is quality teachers, not administrators,” Barresi said, pointing to reforms in her administration that have reduced state Department of Education Department spending by more than $250,000 a month. “Aside from parents, teachers are the single most important factor in a child’s success.”

Barresi’s plan calls for moving less than 10 percent of Oklahoma schools’ carryover money – currently more than $700 million – to teacher pay, while also asking individual school superintendents and school boards to redirect 2 percent of money now going to administrative overhead to teacher pay.

Despite the biggest recession since the 1930s Oklahoma schools have left a record amount of money on the table in their carryover – money that is just sitting there, unused. Barresi noted it doesn’t do Oklahoma kids any good to have hundreds of millions of dollars sitting on the sideline when the state is facing a teacher shortage and the teachers that schools have are often financially stressed.

“By combining the 2 percent reallocation of non-instruction costs with a slight reduction to the carryover, we can give every teacher in the state a $2,000 pay raise in the next fiscal year,” Barresi said before challenging her audience. “At this point, this is not a mandate. There are many people who want to set a percentage of how much money goes to the classroom.  I want to see where your commitment is.

“I’m asking you to redirect 2 percent from your overhead to give our teachers a $2,000 raise. Make the adjustments where and how you see fit. Two percent for two grand, for every teacher in Oklahoma,” Barresi concluded. “Our teachers need our support. They have mine.”

ACT Scores Show Increase in Oklahoma Reading Benchmarks

ACT results released last week show that more Oklahoma graduating seniors are ready for college and career than in previous years.

According to ACT's 2013 Condition of College and Career Readiness report, the percentage of the state's 2013 graduates who met all four benchmarks in English, reading, science and math rose to 23 percent from 20 percent the previous two years and from 17 percent in 2008. The report is based on the results of the 2013 ACT college entrance exam.

“I’m bolstered by these results,” said State Superintendent Janet Barresi. “This shows that our education reform efforts in Oklahoma are paying dividends in student performance."

Barresi said while she is pleased with the bright spots in the state highlighted in the report, she is not satisfied.

"There is still much work to be done," she said.

A total of 28,988 students took the ACT this year; 75 percent of Oklahoma’s 2013 graduating class took the test at least once.

Oklahoma’s ACT 2013 composite score rose .1 to 20.8 over the 2012 score of 20.7, while the national composite declined from 21.1 to 20.9.

In Oklahoma, 23 percent of ACT-takers last year met all four benchmarks. Fourteen percent of students met three benchmarks, 17 percent met two, 18 percent met one and 29 percent met no benchmarks, according to the report.

Nationally, 26 percent of students met all four benchmarks. Oklahoma students, however, exceeded the national average for meeting the English benchmark -- 66 percent versus 64 percent; 45 percent of Oklahoma ACT-takers met the reading benchmark, slightly above 44 percent nationally. At the same time, reading scores were up from 21 to 22 for state test-takers.

Barresi said these results show that efforts to target reading instruction are translating into success.

Superintendent Barresi has hired 60 REAC3H Coaches to offer job-imbedded professional development for reading teachers throughout the state in addition to other training.

Only 37 percent of Oklahoma students met the math benchmarks, and 35 percent met the science benchmarks, compared with the national 44 percent and 36 percent figures, respectively.

Barresi pointed to the recent efforts at the State Department of Education that will help improve scores in these areas in the future.

Teams from the State Department of Education’s Office of Instruction are providing regional professional development workshops for educators throughout the state, free of charge to participants. The department also has gathered leading educators from throughout the state in science and math to participate in the inaugural class of OKSci and OKMath. This program is fashioned after Leadership Oklahoma with the goal of growing leadership participants who will work to disseminate best practices and resources with the goal of improving student performance in these subject areas.

In addition, the department is in the second year of offering Think Through Math, a digital program that prepares elementary and middle school students for Algebra. Participation in this program has doubled since the program started a year ago.

The State Department of Education also has partnered with the National Math and Science Initiative to increase the number of Advanced Placement courses available and the number of students participating in AP courses in science, math and English in selected high schools throughout the state.

Barresi said she’s confident these offerings will boost performance in all subject areas in the coming years.

Barresi said she while she is pleased with state results for minority groups, which outpaced the nation, she still would like to see more improvement and even more participation in the future. A breakdown by ethnicity shows:

• Black/African American students made up 7 percent of the ACT-tested population, 2,067 students compared to 8 percent, 2,306 students in 2012. The composite score for this population was 17.4, which outdistanced the composite score of 16.9 achieved by national counterparts.
• American Indian/Alaska Native students made up 8 percent of those tested, 2,428 students, compared to 9 percent, 2,723 student sin 2012 – a decline for the third consecutive year. The ACT composite score for this population was 19.0, significantly above the national composite of 18.0.
• Hispanic/Latino students represent 10 percent of the ACT-tested population, 2,856 students, up from 9 percent or 2,717 students in 2012 – an increase for the sixth consecutive year. The composite score was 19.0, much higher than the national of 18.2. Hispanic/Latino participation has increased by 92 percent over the last five years.
• White students make up 57 percent of those tested, 16,418 students, compared to 58 percent, 16,989 students, in 2012. White students earned a composite score of 21.7, up .1 from 2012 but still below the national composite of 22.2.

Happy 15th Anniversary Lori - I love you!

Septemberfest to be held Saturday, September 7

OKLAHOMA CITY – Preparations are underway for the 17th annual Septemberfest to be held Saturday, September 7, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Governor’s Mansion and Oklahoma History Center. Hosted by Governor Mary Fallin and First Gentleman Wade Christensen, Septemberfest is a free annual event for the whole family.

“Septemberfest is a beloved fall tradition for many Oklahoma families,” said Governor Fallin. “The First Gentleman and I are excited to open the Governor’s Mansion and its beautiful grounds to Oklahomans from across our great state as we proudly host the 17th annual Septemberfest.”

A celebration of what makes Oklahoma unique; Septemberfest features a variety of attractions for people of all ages. Activities featured at this year’s Septemberfest include historic re-enactments, a chalk artist, pony rides, crafts, inflatables, carriage rides, steer roping, an outdoor music stage, American Indian dancers, chuck wagon cooking, a rock-climbing wall, and more, ensuring families an action-packed day of entertainment.

The Oklahoma History Center, located across Northeast 23rd street from the Mansion, is open free to the public all day and this year will bring the past to life. Along the Red River Journey, an exciting outdoor exhibit, visitors will enjoy interaction with living historians representing WWII, cowboys, land run participants, 19th century American Indians, antebellum musicians, the Civil War, plein air painters, and more! We will bring the past to life with learning stations, hands-on activities, demonstrations, and games. The adventure continues inside the History Center with live performances, storytelling, and unique exhibits about Oklahoma.

Some new and exciting features this year will include an outdoor music venue that highlights musicians from our great state, including local high school bands, Kyle Dillingham, Sarah Dye and Carter Sampson. Guests can hunt for hats throughout the exhibits, make their own hat, and enjoy a hat passport as they visit the living historians along the Oklahoma History Center’s Red River Journey.

Septemberfest was founded in 1997 by Friends of the Mansion, Inc., a non-profit, non-partisan organization whose mission is to preserve and improve the Governor’s Mansion, as well as its grounds and furnishings. The Oklahoma History Center began co-hosting Septemberfest with Friends of the Mansion in 2004. The chairman of this year’s event is Jim Hasenbeck, President of Studio Architecture. This is Hasenbeck’s 11th year to lead the event as chairman.

“Septemberfest is a gift passed from governor to governor for the

people of Oklahoma and it continues to grow each year, and with it, the number of activities we are able to offer. We are looking forward to this year’s event which promises to be one of the best yet,” Hasenbeck said.

Septemberfest is free and open to the public with no registration required. If you are interested in volunteering at Septemberfest, please register with the United Way Volunteer Center at http://www.unitedwayokc.org/help/volunteer-center. For more information about the event, please visit the Friends of the Oklahoma Governor’s Mansion Facebook page or contact Keili McEwen of Friends of the Mansion at 405-557-0198.

First DHS Joint Citizens Advisory Panel Meeting Scheduled Today

OKLAHOMA CITY --The Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) Joint Citizens Advisory Panel will hold its first meeting Wednesday, August 14, at the Credit Union House, 631 East Hill Street in Oklahoma City, beginning at 10 a.m.

House Bill 3137 from 2012 established four citizen advisory panels in the areas of administration, aging issues, children and family issues, and disability issues.

They will serve to provide advice, information, findings and analysis to the Director regarding policies and practices of DHS and their impact on outcomes. The panels will study and make recommendations to the Director regarding the management and operation of DHS, and will also offer recommendations for the implementation of the Pinnacle Plan.

Each advisory panel will meet at least four times a year; the entire Joint Citizens Advisory Panel will meet at least once a year.

The Human Services Commission for the DHS was abolished by the voters of Oklahoma on Nov. 6, 2012 with the passage of State Question State Question 765.

Previously, the Commission had oversight of DHS, but the passage of SQ 765 means that the Director of DHS makes all decisions for the agency and reports directly to the Governor.

The four citizen advisory panels will report to the Director and provide advice and recommendations on Administration issues, Aging issues, Children and Family issues, and Disability issues. Each advisory panel has five members, with one member on each panel appointed by the Governor, the Speaker of the House, the Senate Pro Tempore, the Minority House Leader and the Minority Senate Leader.

Agenda:

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
JOINT CITIZENS ADVISORY PANEL MEETING
Aug. 14, 2013 10 a.m.
CREDIT UNION HOUSE
631 EAST HILL STREET
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA

AGENDA
Call to Order and Roll Call

Welcome and Opening Comments – Ed Lake, Director

10:15 a.m. Legislative Intent of House Bill 3137 –Senator Greg Treat and Representative Jason Nelson

10:30 a.m. Co-Neutrals –Eileen Crummy, Kathleen Noonan, and Kevin Ryan

10:45 a.m. Open Meeting Act and Open Records Act – Jan Preslar, Attorney General’s Office

11:15 a.m. Finance and Administrative Services –Melissa Lange, Finance Division

11:45 a.m. - Lunch

12:15 p.m. Media Relations – Sheree Powell, Director, Communications and Community Relations

12:30 p.m. Services under the oversight and direction of Chief of Staff:
12:30 Diane Haser-Bennett, Director, Human Resource Management
12:40 Connie Schlittler, Director, Planning/Research/Statistics
12:50 Samantha Galloway, Coordinator, Intergovernmental Relations/Policy

1:00 p.m. Legal Services – Richard Freeman, Legal Services Division

1:15 p.m. Community Living and Support Services - Mark Jones, Chief Coordinating Officer, Community Living and Support Services

1:45 p.m. Adult and Family Services – Jim Struby, Director, Adult and Family Services

2:15 p.m. Child Welfare and the Oklahoma Pinnacle Plan – Deborah Smith, Director, Child Welfare Services

Adjournment

Go to http://www.okdhs.org/divisionsoffices/panel/default.htm for additional information and a complete list of scheduled meetings.

Fallin Calls Special Session on Lawsuit Reform

OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today issued an executive order (attached) calling for a special session of the Oklahoma Legislature, to begin Tuesday, September 3. The executive order calls on lawmakers to re-institute components of House Bill 1603, a comprehensive lawsuit reform package signed into law in 2009.

HB 1603 was designed to reduce the number of frivolous lawsuits and medical malpractice claims filed in Oklahoma, making the state more business friendly and protecting Oklahoma physicians from frivolous lawsuits. It was passed with bipartisan support and signed into law by Democratic Governor Brad Henry.

Earlier this year, the law was struck down by the Oklahoma Supreme Court for violating the Oklahoma Constitution’s “single-subject” rule, a prohibition on legislative logrolling. Fallin is calling on legislators to separate the law into different bills, thus reinstating the policy without violating the single subject rule.


“Oklahoma’s lawsuit reform measures are part of what makes this state attractive to businesses and allows us to retain and recruit doctors,” Fallin said. “Those laws are now under attack. In the weeks since the court ruled our laws unconstitutional, at least a dozen lawsuits have been reopened against hospitals, doctors and other employers. As lawmakers, we need to act now to protect our businesses and our medical community from frivolous lawsuits and skyrocketing legal costs.”

Fallin said the alternative to a special session could mean delaying a potential fix for a full year.

“If we do not act now, we may not see a legislative fix implemented until August or even November of next year,” Fallin said. “It is important to address this issue immediately and with a singular focus. The alternative is to allow Oklahoma’s business climate and job market to erode.”

Fallin pointed out that those interested in affordable health care should be particularly interested in passing lawsuit reform legislation immediately.

“Legal costs and predatory lawsuits are a driver of rising health care costs,” Fallin said. “If we allow the floodgates to be opened for a host of new medical malpractice suits, health care premiums will rise and health care will become less affordable. It’s important – for both the health of Oklahoma families and their economic bottom line – to act now and prevent lawsuits from pushing the costs of medical care even higher.”

DHS Awards Foster Care Recruitment Contracts

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) has awarded contracts to private partnerships for the recruitment, support and retention of foster families.

To keep up with the rising number of children coming into the foster care system, DHS must have an adequate number of foster families. Following the settlement of a class action, civil rights lawsuit against the state's foster care system, DHS developed the Oklahoma Pinnacle Plan, a five year improvement plan. The process for selecting the new foster care providers met the requirements of the plan.  

Foster care contracts have been awarded to the following vendors:
 

• Angels Foster Family Network, Inc., Oklahoma City
• DCCCA/Tall Grass Family Services, Lawrence, Kansas
• St. Francis Community Services, Tulsa
• TFI Family Connections, LLC, Emporia, Kansas

Through partnerships with these agencies, DHS will provide seamless customer service through one point of contact for foster families during recruitment, assessment, training and on-going support. The agencies will help support families as they interact with DHS throughout the foster care approval process, during placement and care of children in their homes, and help provide an understanding of the child welfare system.

The contracts were awarded on Aug. 6, 2013 and are valid through June 30, 2014, with an option for renewal. All providers have the option to sub-contract with local child placing agencies in the retention and recruitment of foster families.

This was DHS' second attempt at a bidding process for private agencies to provide foster care recruitment and retention services. In April, DHS Director Ed Lake canceled the previously awarded contracts because of concerns over the prescriptive nature of the contracts, how the service areas were defined, and the process did not allow for provider input.

Although the previous bidding process was carried out faithfully in accordance with state purchasing rules, Director Lake believed the result of that effort would not fully achieve the goals DHS established and there were serious enough problems with the approach that it was better to restart the process than to continue on that path.

During this new solicitation process, DHS, in conjunction with the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) Central Purchasing, enlisted the aid of Dr. Dean Kashiwagi and his team from the Fulton School of Engineering at Arizona State University, in utilizing the Performance Information Procurement System, or PIPS, to initiate three phases of the procurement process: selection, clarification, and management by risk minimization.

In the selection phase, DHS conducted a blind evaluation to rate provider capabilities, past performance, and cost, and hosted interviews with each provider to determine their expertise. In the clarification phase, DHS worked with providers who were identified as experts in foster care to develop the project scope and identify any risks to successful completion of the project. In the management phase, contract performance will be results-driven with all parties being held accountable for their respective responsibilities.

For more information about the foster care contracts, follow this link to view the award information posted on the OMES Central Purchasing website:https://www.ok.gov/dcs/solicit/app/solicitationDetail.php?solID=692.

To learn more about how to become a foster or adoptive parent, visit the DHS Bridge Family Resource Center website at okbridgefamilies.com or call 800-376-9729.

Statement by the DHS reform working group in the House of Representatives

DHS Director announces several organizational changes

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Effective August 1, 2013, several organizational changes will take place which reflect the leadership of Director Ed Lake and goals in a new agency strategic plan. 

Ronald Baze, assistant attorney general with the Office of Attorney General Scott Pruitt, has been selected as the new General Counsel. Baze will remain an employee of the OAG while serving under contract as the head of DHS Legal Services.   He will begin his duties as general counsel August 12. 

Ed Lake
Director, OKDHS

“We are breaking new ground in pioneering this relationship between DHS and the Office of Attorney General Scott Pruitt,” said Lake.  “I believe this new legal model will be mutually beneficial to our agency and the state of Oklahoma.  DHS will now have access to all of the resources the Attorney General’s office has to offer.  I was particularly impressed with Mr. Baze’s professional experiences which combined will enable him to make a great impact on our Legal Services.”

Lake has created a new position, the Director of Communications and Community Relations, and has appointed Sheree Powell, the current Coordinator of Communications, to this role.  Powell will oversee the Offices of Communications as well as Community and Faith Engagement, and Information and Referral. In addition, she will also manage Provider Relations.

“This is a move to enhance our engagement with community partners, volunteers and contract providers,” said Lake. “I heard over and over during my listening sessions and through subsequent encounters with our partners that we need to have better communication and more cooperative relationships with them.  This has emerged as a major objective in our agency’s new strategic plan and I have asked Sheree to work with all programs agency wide to improve upon and build those relationships.

“The combination of these particular offices is a natural fit since their responsibilities are so intertwined with one another. This was also a great fit for Sheree.  In addition to being an experienced communications director, she also has an extensive background managing provider relations and building community partnerships,” Lake said. 

The current functions of Finance and some Administrative Services will be moved under a new Director of Finance and Administration.  Lake has appointed David Ligon to this position.  Ligon is currently the Interim Director and former Chief of Staff with the Department of Rehabilitative Services.  Beginning with DHS August 19, Ligon will oversee all finance functions of the agency as well as Support Services and the Office of Business Quality. 

“I am excited about adding David to our DHS team,” said Lake.  “He has a 30-year history and impressive reputation for solid financial and administrative management in state government, including 18 years as a House fiscal analyst, ending as the Deputy Director.  David brings a wealth of valuable experiences that will benefit our agency.”

Director Lake has decided to move Child Care Services under the management of Jim Struby, Director of Adult and Family Services. 

“This move will benefit both Child Care Services and the work within Adult and Family Services since the two programs overlap in many areas,” said Lake.  “I believe Jim Struby and Lesli Blazer will work well together and both of their programs will benefit from this organizational relationship.” 

Adult Protective Services is being moved to Community Living and Support Services under the management of Mark Jones.  APS will be a free-standing program joining the ranks with Aging Services, Developmental Disabilities Services, and Child Support Services. 

“This move just made sense since APS serves both people who are aging and people with developmental disabilities.  Mark Jones will bring a valuable perspective to the work in APS from his previous work with the Office of Client Advocacy and his successful litigation experience with the Homeward Bound vs. the Hissom Memorial Center lawsuit,” Lake said.

Director Lake has created another new position, Chief of Staff, and is in the process of filling that position.  The Chief of Staff’s responsibilities will include management of Human Resources and the Offices of Intergovernmental Relations and Policy, and Planning, Research and Statistics.  

A new organizational chart is currently being developed to reflect these changes and will be posted to the website in the near future.

Special State Board of Education Meeting Set Tomorrow

WHO: The Oklahoma State Board of Education


WHAT: At a special State Board of Education meeting, board members will consider possible action on a process to approve non-traditional routes to special education teacher certification and adoption of state policies for Special Education – Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The board also will consider possible action on the fiscal year 2014 education appropriation in addition to other items. Click here to see the full agenda.

WHEN: 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 12, 2013

WHERE: The Oliver Hodge Building, 2500 N Lincoln Blvd., Suite 1-20, Oklahoma City.

The State Board of Education's regular monthly meeting will be at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, June 27.

Governor Signs Student Privacy Bill

OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill signing ceremony for House Bill 1989, the Student Data Accessibility, Transparency and Accountability Act (Student DATA Act), was held today at the State Capitol. This new law establishes Oklahoma as a leader in student privacy. The bill establishes new procedures and safeguards for the collection and use of student data by our public school system.

Supt. Janet Barresi, Rep. Jason Nelson, Sen. Greg Treat, Gov. Mary Fallin,
Rep. David Brumbaugh, Rep. Sally Kern, John Kraman

The Student DATA Act requires the State Board of Education to publicly set policies and establish safeguards for student data collected by the State Department of Education. Student data privacy has been handled largely at the staff level within the Department.

The law establishes new, strict limits on the transfer of student data, including de-identified data, to federal, state or local agencies or organizations outside Oklahoma. It further restricts the Department from requesting delinquency records, criminal records, medical and health records, social security numbers and biometric information as part of student data collected from districts.

Gov. Mary Fallin praised the successful effort to pass HB1989.

"The new law is a strong, conservative solution to a problem every state in the country is struggling to address,” said Gov. Fallin. “States play a vital role in protecting students’ privacy and Oklahoma takes that responsibility seriously. I applaud our legislators and Superintendent Barresi for working together on this legislation.”

Rep. David Brumbaugh, R-Broken Arrow, was the principle author of HB1989.

“Over time, I have been hearing more and more from parents about the data schools gathered about our children, what data was passed on to the state and federal governments and how that data could be used – and by whom," said Rep. Brumbaugh. "These concerns are what prompted me to author this bill. The Student DATA Act is the critical first step in developing a set of comprehensive and strict privacy controls on student data collected by Oklahoma's public school system."

Rep. Jason Nelson, R-Oklahoma City, a House coauthor, helped draft the language of HB1989.

"As a parent of two children in public schools I know it's important for educators to keep records on students so they can do their jobs," said Rep. Nelson. "But, as a parent I also want the information handled appropriately. Now that the Student DATA Act opens the student data collection process to the public, everyone has the tools to help make sure there is an appropriate balance between having critical information about students but not collecting more data than is absolutely necessary while protecting such sensitive information."

Sen. Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, the Senate author, noted it is rare for a bill dealing with education to get such overwhelming support.

"I was pleased to work with these individuals who have diverse perspectives on education," said Sen. Treat. "Everyone came together to protect student data privacy."

The new law addresses the growing need to protect more fully our children’s privacy as the State Department of Education works with districts to expand teacher access and use of data for the purpose of improving instruction to increase student achievement.

Rep. Jason Murphey, R-Guthrie, a House coauthor, highlighted the importance of transparency about data collection.

"The new law creates additional transparency," said Rep. Murphey. "For the first time, the process for protecting student data will be required to be open to the public. Being open with the public is the best way to avoid problems in the future."

Sen. Clark Jolley, R-Edmond, Senate coauthor, said the law protects student privacy while allowing essential data to be used for accountability purposes.

“It is paramount to protect student privacy by securing the data, but still allowing for funding decisions to be made from what is proven effective rather than what we hope or think will be effective,” said Sen. Jolley. "With state resources being so limited, every dollar counts.”

Superintendent Janet Barresi called the new law a well thought out approach to protect student information.

“The Oklahoma State Department of Education has been working with local administrators and teachers to determine what data they need from the state to improve student learning," said Supt. Barresi. "As more data are made available to classroom teachers, the state needs thoughtful and transparent rules about who can access the data and how it can be used."

It is anticipated this new level of transparency will lead to a healthy public debate about the proper role and scope of data collected on the State's public school students. With the level of detail now available to the public, concerned Oklahomans will have the information necessary to better guide policy makers in decisions regarding the sensitive issue of information collected on students. As lawmakers, we look forward to a public conversation on this issue and expect to run additional legislation in the future to build on this foundation.

“This was a combined effort to ensure that the new law would achieve desired outcomes without causing unintended consequences for teachers and students,” says Rep. Brumbaugh, adding that, “we will continue to work with the Department of Education as they implement the law.”

HB1989 received near unanimous support, passing the House 88-2 and the Senate 41-0. The bill was signed by Gov. Fallin on May 29th and becomes effective July 1.

The Student DATA Act:

• requires the State Board of Education to publish a public inventory of student data elements collected by the State Department of Education with definitions of each student data element,


• requires the Board to publish a public list of additional student data elements it is proposing for collection including a statement about the reason for the proposal,


• requires the Board to develop and make public policies and procedures to comply with all relevant privacy laws,


• requires the Board to develop and make public policies limiting who can access student data, what student data can be accessed and the circumstances under which the data may be accessed,


• requires that student data collected and maintained by the Department be kept confidential except where the Board has developed and made publicly available the criteria for exceptions,


• requires the Board to ensure compliance by the Department with privacy laws,


• requires the Board to ensure vendor contracts include express provision that safeguard privacy and include penalties for noncompliance, and


• requires the Board to make annual reports to the Governor and Legislature.


• establishes new strict limits on the transfer of student data, including de-identified data, to federal, state or local agencies or organizations outside Oklahoma, and


• further restricts the Department from requesting delinquency records, criminal records, medical and health records, social security numbers and biometric information as part of student data collected from districts.

Follow-up Documentary on Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships Released

OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- The Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs has released a new ten minute documentary following up with three students with special needs who have been using the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program Act for the last year. 

Lindsey Nicole Henry Stories, Part 2 takes a look at how Chloe, Rob and Phylicia are doing after they were featured in a powerful twenty-five minute documentary released a year ago. The benefits of the program have exceeded my expectations. 

Emergency Management Storm Updates

This page links you to the state emergency management storm updates

Click headline or image to link to Oklahoma Emergency Management updates

Respite Voucher Program Discussed at Developmental Disabilities Waiting List Meeting

  DDSD Respite Voucher Program Presentation at Waiting List Meeting - Jun 6, 2013, 3-58 PM

Link to the Respite Voucher Program page on the OKDHS website

$45 Million Emergency Tornado Relief Measure Approved

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives unanimously passed Senate Bill 249, a measure that will provide relief in response to the May 2013 tornadoes.

Governor Mary Fallin applauded passage of the emergency aid legislation. SB 249 will direct $45 million from the Rainy Day Fund to the Office of Emergency Management for immediate tornado relief. These funds will match a portion of the federal funds that have been allocated to local governments for their relief efforts. The funds will be administered by the Oklahoma Office of Emergency Management and used to reimburse local governments for relief efforts related to natural disasters, including the May 19 and May 20 tornadoes.

“The tornadoes that struck several Oklahoma communities this week were absolutely devastating,” said Fallin. “We are currently in an all-hands-on-deck effort to recover and rebuild. My thanks go out to our Legislature for helping to ensure that communities hit hard by storm and tornado damage will have the support they need moving forward.”

Money from the fund will match 12.5 percent of federal dollars spent to reimburse counties, cities, and towns for infrastructure damages that occur under a presidential disaster declaration. It will also be used to cover extraordinary response costs incurred by state agencies while responding to natural disasters.

“We lost 26 Oklahomans and hundreds continue to suffer due to this tragedy,” said Representative John Echols, R-Oklahoman City. “It is of the greatest priority that we come together as a legislature and provide help when our people are most vulnerable. We are a strong state made of strong people. We will overcome this tragedy and we will rebuild.”

“Tragedy has once again fallen upon our great state,” said Rep. Paul Wesselhoft, R-Moore. “Communities have been destroyed and lives have been ended, all too soon. The world has been watching and Oklahoma and has proven that we are a brave people able to unite and rise above this challenging time. I give my thanks to my fellow lawmakers for their votes.”

News outlets are predicting the total dollar amount in damage to exceed the May 3, 1999 tornado, which was greater than $1 billion. Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John Doak has made early predictions that damage could be well over $2 billion.

“The devastation that has fallen upon my district and this state is indescribable,” said Rep. Mark McBride, R-Moore. “Oklahomans are facing a great hardship and the road to recovery will be long. I applaud my fellow lawmakers for their united compassion.”

“The people of Oklahoma have placed their trust in us as elected officials,” said Rep. Jason Nelson. “With that trust comes the responsibility to do what is right. By opening our hearts and through God’s guidance, I believe this chamber’s unanimous passage of this measure reinforces our commitment to the people of this state. This legislature is united. We are Oklahomans.”

Senate Bill SB 249 passed unanimously in both the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the Oklahoma State Senate. It was authored by Senate Pro Tem Brian Bingman and Representative Jason Nelson.

SB 249 will now go to the desk of Gov. Mary Fallin to be signed into law.

School Security Measures Signed by Fallin

OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today signed four bills into law designed to improve school security and keep Oklahoma children safe. She was joined at a public bill signing by Lieutenant Governor Todd Lamb, who served as chairman of the Oklahoma Commission on School Security, other commissioners, and legislative leaders.

“The state of Oklahoma has a duty to do everything we can to keep our children safe,” Fallin said. “The bills signed into law today will ensure that schools are well prepared for emergencies of all kinds. They’ll also help to provide more training and better coordination between law enforcement and education professionals. These measures could help to save lives. My thanks go out to Lieutenant Governor Lamb, the Legislature, and all the members of the Oklahoma Commission on School Security who worked to develop this legislation and send it to my desk.” 

The bills signed today by Fallin included:

• SB 256, requiring school districts to conduct lockdown drills in addition to fire, intruder, and tornado emergency drill
• SB 257, directing the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security to designate a division within the agency as the Oklahoma School Security Institute. The Institute would act as a central hub of information and resources related to school security and risk assessments to campuses. Objectives and goals of the Institute include: maximization of school security and training; implementation of safety drills and facilitation of information related to school safety.
• SB 258, creating an annual deadline of Nov. 1 for institutions of higher learning to provide reports to emergency responders and agencies with details of updated plans for protecting students, faculty and visitors from disasters and emergencies.
• SB 259, requiring school authorities to immediately report to
  
  law enforcement if a firearm is discovered on a student that is not a minor or an adult that isn’t authorized to possess a firearm on school property. Also, the bill dictates the weapon in question to be delivered to law enforcement.

“I thank the Governor for her signatures on these bills which stemmed from the recommendations from the Oklahoma Commission on School Security,” Lamb said.  “I thank the members of the commission that came from all across Oklahoma and sacrificed their time and provided expertise.  The primary goal of any government is to protect its people.  These bills will do just that.”

Governor Signs Community Service for Child Support Bill

OKLAHOMA CITY – Gov. Mary Fallin recently signed into law a measure that officials hope will encourage parents to stay up to date on their child support payments.

Rep. Jon Echols
R-Oklahoma City

House Bill 2166, by state Rep. Jon Echols and state Sen. Brian Crain, authorizes courts to require individuals who are willingly unemployed and who owe child support to work two eight-hour-days per week in a community service program administered by the county commissioners.

“This bill will encourage personal accountability among able bodied parents,” said Echols, R-Oklahoma City. “Your children, whether they live with you or not, are your responsibility alone. If a person cannot or will not provide the financial support the court has required of them, there needs to be consequences.”

Crain said every parent has a responsibility to take care of their children.

“It is saddening and infuriating that people are more interested in their money than their family,” said Sen. Crain, R- Tulsa. “This creates a method for the judiciary to protect the children and hopefully instill right-thinking in the dead-beat parent.”

Oklahoma County Commissioner Brian Maughan, whose SHINE community service program inspired the legislation, said giving judges the authority to sentence deadbeat parents to community service will provide a potent new tool to encourage them to meet their child support obligations.

“Working two days a week picking up litter or painting over graffiti might just provide the motivation some of these non-paying parents need,” said Maughan. “We are ready and eager to start enrolling any parent sentenced by the judges in SHINE as a way to encourage them to get to work and live up to their responsibilities.”
Maughan said other counties have inquired about ways to emulate the successful SHINE program, and that the new legislation will add to that urgency.

“This is a model program that can save jail costs, teach offenders important lessons about personal responsibility and improve our community at the same time,” said Maughan. “I am grateful to Rep. Echols and Sen. Crain for sponsoring this important bill and to Gov. Fallin for signing it.”

HB 2166 passed overwhelmingly out of both chambers of the Legislature, including votes of 97-1 in the House and 47-1 in the Senate.

Four School Safety Measures Head to Governor

OKLAHOMA CITY – Four bills authored by House Speaker T.W. Shannon related to the issue of school safety passed full votes of the House Thursday.

In the wake of the tragedy in Newtown, Conn., late last year, Speaker Shannon, President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman and Lt. Governor Todd Lamb created the Oklahoma Commission on School Security. The Commission submitted a report to state leaders detailing suggestions on things the state of Oklahoma can do to make its schools safer and more secure. These four bills are a direct result of that report.

“Our children are precious and we must take the necessary steps to protect them while they are spending the day at school learning,” said Speaker Shannon, R-Lawton. “Recent tragedies like the one at Sandy Hook Elementary remind us that we must remain vigilant in the protection of our children. As a father, this is a particularly important issue to me.”

Senate Bill 256 would require school districts to conduct lockdown drills in addition to fire, intruder, and tornado emergency drill.

With the passage of Senate Bill 257, the “Oklahoma School Security Institute” is one step closer to reality. SB 257 directs the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security to designate a division within the office as the OSSI. The Institute would act as a central hub of information and resources related to school security and risk assessments to campuses. Objectives and goals of the Institute include: maximization of school security and training; implementation of safety drills and facilitation of information related to school safety.

Creating a hard deadline date for school administrators of Nov. 1 annually, Senate Bill 258 requires institutions of higher learning to provide reports to emergency responders and agencies with details of updated plans for protecting students, faculty and visitors from disasters and emergencies.

Senate Bill 259 would require school authorities to immediately report to law enforcement if a firearm is discovered on a student that is not a minor or an adult that isn’t authorized to possess a firearm on school property. Also, the bill dictates the weapon in question to be delivered to law enforcement.

“With the passage of these four measures, it is my hope that we’re doing right by our children to ensure they have a safe and secure environment in which to learn and grow,” Speaker Shannon said. “It is vital to protect our children properly and I believe these bills will improve the safety environment of our schools.”

Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb in early March released the policy recommendations of the Oklahoma School Security Commission.

“As parents we want all children to do well academically, but our first priority is for our children, our students to be safe and secure during their school day," Lamb said. "No policy can prevent evil from occurring, but our hope is that these recommendations will mitigate and lessen the potential of future large scale school violence.”

President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman praised the work of the Commission.

“It is rare to see any policy proposal receive near-universal support at the state Capitol," said Bingman, R-Sapulpa. "I think it’s a testament to the seriousness with which the Commission went about finding common-sense ways to respond in the face of an agonizing national tragedy.

“I want to thank Speaker Shannon, Leader Burrage, and Leader Inman for their dedication to making the Commission recommendations successful. But most importantly, I want to thank the members of the Commission for their service, their time, and their expertise. Lt. Governor Lamb deserves our appreciation for his leadership of the Commission, and I believe I echo the thoughts of the Commission members when I say his sound judgment was essential to the formulation and passage of today’s legislation.

The measures now move to the governor’s desk for final consideration.