Sen. Burrage chosen as next Democratic Floor Leader

Sen. Sean Burrage
D-Claremore

Claremore lawmaker Sean Burrage has been chosen to serve as the next Senate Democratic Floor Leader. Members of the caucus held a vote on Tuesday to decide who would follow Sen. Andrew Rice in the leadership post. Rice, D-Oklahoma City, recently announced he would resign from the Senate effective January 15.

Burrage said he was honored to lead the Senate Democrats in 2012.

“I believe we must always be focused on what’s good for our state—not what’s going to score the most political points. We want a stronger economy and top-paying jobs for our citizens. We want our children to have the best educational opportunities possible and we want to be safe when we are at school, work or at home. We want roads and bridges that are modern and safe as well. When we can agree on how to achieve those things, then those are programs we’ll support,” Burrage said. “But if proposed legislation comes at the expense of our most vulnerable citizens, then we’ll be fighting to give those individuals a voice in the Senate.”

Burrage, an attorney and father of two, was reelected without opposition to a second term in the Senate in 2010. He currently serves as Assistant Democratic Floor Leader in the Senate. His committee assignments include the Full Appropriations Committee, the Senate Standing Committees on Energy and Transportation, and he is the vice-chairman of the Committee on Health and Human Services.

Burrage also serves on the Senate Select Committee established to reform and strengthen Oklahoma’s pension systems, and served as vice-chairman of the 2011 Senate Redistricting Committee.

Senate Pro-Tem Brian Bingman congratulated Burrage on his new role in the Senate.

"I want to offer my heartfelt congratulations to my friend Senator Burrage on his election as the next Minority Leader,” Bingman said. “I have had the privilege of working with Sean for several years and have seen first hand his thoughtfulness and temperament. Though we may not agree on every issue, I believe Senator Burrage to be a man of integrity who will facilitate a healthy and honest public debate as the Senate works to move Oklahoma forward."

Governor Mary Fallin released a statement today on the selection of Burrage as the new Senate Minority Leader.

“My congratulations go out to Senator Burrage for his election to the post of Minority Leader,” Fallin said.  “I look forward to working with him to build bipartisan consensus on policies that will create jobs, make government more efficient and accountable, and continue to move Oklahoma forward.  Senator Burrage is a responsible, conscientious and effective lawmaker and I know he is more than up to the task.”

Burrage concluded by expressing gratitude to his fellow Democrats.

“We are committed to our constituents, and to creating public policy that will move our state forward,” Burrage said. “Again, I thank my fellow Democrats for the trust they’ve placed in me. I’m looking forward to working on behalf of all our citizens in the coming session.”

Recent tremors should prompt policy review

Oklahoma City– Over the past few days, minor earthquakes have rattled Oklahoma homes and businesses. At least seven tremors have been reported in Oklahoma during the month of October alone. Yet there are cracks in the insurance policies of many Oklahomans.


Most property insurance policies exclude damage caused by earthquakes. Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John D. Doak said Friday that now is a good time for policyholders to speak with their agents – and for agents to be fully prepared to inform their policyholders – about the subject of earthquake insurance.

After tremors occur a waiting period normally exists before coverage can be added to a homeowners or commercial property insurance policy, but immediately in the wake of a quake is a good time for consumers and insurers to discuss all options. Policyholders should inventory their belongings and speak with their agent to be sure their existing coverage is sufficient. For clients who already have or who do purchase earthquake coverage, agents should be sure the consumer is aware that normally the policy has a separate and often substantial deductible.


“Earthquakes can strike at any time and without warning,” Commissioner Doak said Friday. “But in Oklahoma, we’ve been getting clues for some time now that a damaging event could be in our future. There is no time like the present to consider that future, and the policyholder’s potential need for earthquake coverage.”


Commissioner Doak referred Oklahomans wanting more information about this type of coverage to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ “Consumer’s Guide to Earthquake Insurance.”

Anti-Bullying Rally Set at State Capitol

OKLAHOMA CITY – Of the many challenges young people face, bullying is probably one of the most difficult and devastating.

Children struggle with self-acceptance and the need to feel secure within their peer group. Without support, the school bully can prey upon this fragility; spoiling opportunities to develop appreciation for one’s own unique and special traits.

Rep. Richard Morrissette
D-Oklahoma City

State Rep. Richard Morrissette is inviting community leaders, school and church groups and the public to attend an evening of entertainment, education and inspiration.

A program featuring Kylie Morgan of the Freedom 43 morning show Rise & Shine and recording artist for Land Run Records will take place from 6-8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 14, 2011, within the fourth floor Rotunda.

Kylie will perform the song she wrote, “Phoebe”, in memory of the Massachusetts teenager Phoebe Prince who took her own life after being bullied. She was selected as a peer spokesperson for PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center and its Teens Against Bullying programs for which she has a slogan: “It Matters What We Do”.

“160,000 children miss school every day because they are bullied. Let’s do something about this – please join me at the Capitol.” said Morrissette, District 92.

Morrissette urged victims of bullying to contact his office.

“If you or someone you love has been impacted by bullying, please come to our beautiful state Capitol for this very special evening. You may contact my office at (405) 557-7404 or email richardmorrissette@okhouse.gov with questions, and I hope to see you at this important event.” said Morrissette (D-OKC).

The event will be organized in cooperation with Prevent Blindness OK, PACER and Land Run Records.

Oklahoma Earthquake Report from Department of Emergency Management

Due to the earthquake activity Oklahoma continues to experience, emergency managers and other key agencies and organizations are responding to damage reports. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management has staff in the field assisting with local damage assessments. In addition to emergency managers in the affected area, OEM remains in contact with officials at the Oklahoma Geological Survey, U.S. Geological Survey, Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma Corporation Commission, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Weather Service, American Red Cross and The Salvation Army.

This weekend’s earthquake activity began with a 4.7 magnitude earthquake which occurred at 2:15 a.m. Saturday, with the epicenter located near Prague. A record-breaking 5.6 magnitude earthquake followed Saturday night around 11 p.m. near Sparks. The quake was felt as far away as Texas, Missouri, Kansas, Tennessee and Wisconsin. More than 40 aftershocks have also occurred in the Sparks, Prague, Meeker area. The largest aftershock was a magnitude 4.0 earthquake reported at 3:39 a.m. today, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. 

The Oklahoma Geological Survey reports they are in the process of collecting data from the earthquakes which occurred along a known fault line. OKGS warns Oklahomans to anticipate still more aftershocks. Anyone living in a home already affected by the earthquakes should be aware that future aftershocks may cause additional damage. 

Saturday night’s earthquake breaks the former record dating back to 1952 when a 5.5 magnitude earthquake struck the El Reno area, USGS records show.

INJURIES

Advocates call for more public school reform, expanded choice and options

By Patrick B. McGuigan and Stacy Martin at www.CapitolBeatOK.com (Published: 04-Nov-2011) 

Two nationally-known education reformers visited Oklahoma this week, with a stop at Langston University's Oklahoma City campus. They advocated more vigorous forms of school choice, changes in teacher tenure and other policies. 

Joining them to discuss education policy at Langston on Lincoln Boulevard was Brandon Dutcher, a vice president at the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs. 

Bob Bowdon

Bob Bowdon is the award-winning filmmaker and producer/director of “The Cartel,” a documentary on monopoly practices in public education policy in his home state of New Jersey. 

He pointed to recent news reports that federal education officials estimate barely one-third (34 percent) of eighth graders in American schools are proficient readers. The poor outcomes in American schooling have come even though government spending for education has dramatically increased over the last two decades, Bowdon said. 

Bowdon outlined the surge in support for school options, including even President Barack Obama and his U.S. Education Department, at least when it comes to public charter schools. Characterizing himself as “basically libertarian,” Bowdon said he admired liberals like Davis Guggenheim, producer of “Waiting for Superman” (another successful documentary), who have joined the bipartisan national movement for more effective use of tax resources to support education. 

Expanded Child Support "Most Wanted" List Launched by OKDHS

OKLAHOMA CITY -- An online tool for finding parents who have a child support obligation launched Nov. 1 under a new law intended to hold more parents responsible for supporting their children.

The law allows Oklahoma Child Support Services to solicit the public’s help in locating absent parents in child support cases. The new Most Wanted Missing Parents Program significantly expands on the agency’s Most Wanted list, allowing it to include more parents, including those who have been established as fathers but have failed to appear in court to establish a child support order.

“When parents fail a legal obligation to support their children, there can be serious social consequences for the child and serious legal consequences for the parent,” said Jeff Wagner, spokesperson for OCSS.

“We’ll be able to locate more parents than ever before, improving collections by resolving otherwise unworkable cases at no additional cost or risk to the State of Oklahoma or taxpayers.”

In the last eight years, the Oklahoma Child Support Services’ Most Wanted list helped locate more than 600 people owing child support. The law seeks to improve that track record by expanding the number and types of individuals who may appear on a list.

Oklahoma Child Support Services is a division of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. The new law gives OKDHS the authority to release a delinquent or missing parent “Most Wanted” type list of individuals who are in arrears in their court-ordered child support obligations or who are sought for the purpose of establishing a child support order. The list includes the individual’s name, photograph when available, last known address, and amount of any child support arrearage.

Under the law, disclosures made by OKDHS in a good faith effort to support its Most Wanted Missing Parents Program may not be considered violations of any confidentiality laws.

Beginning Nov. 1, the public may view and contribute information to the OCSS Most Wanted Missing Parents Program by visiting www.okdhs.org and selecting “CS Most Wanted” from the Quick Links on the left-hand side of the screen.

To promote healthy families, OCSS establishes, monitors and enforces reliable support while encouraging self-sufficiency and strengthening relationships. The division is responsible for more than 201,000 active child support cases, collecting $318 million last year on behalf of children and families.

Links to related stories:

2011: Governor Fallin Signs Bill to Authorize “Most Wanted” List for Delinquent Parents

2009: Bill to Crackdown on Deadbeat Parents Passes State House, Headed to Governor

Oklahoma Has Regained Nearly 60% of Pre-Recession Revenue

OKLAHOMA CITY – In spite of external threats, volatile markets and global instability, Oklahoma’s economy is rising above the chaos, State Treasurer Ken Miller said today as he released the state’s monthly gross receipts report.

“With yet another month of healthy collections, it appears Oklahoma’s economy is hitting its stride,” Miller said.

October collections were 7.4 percent higher than in October of last year, showing steady improvement in the state’s economy. Collections over the past 12 months are up almost nine percent from the previous 12 months.

Treasurer Ken Miller

Miller said gross revenue, a reflection of the state’s economic performance, has grown for 20 consecutive months.

“We have regained almost 60 percent of the revenue that disappeared during the recession,” he said. “We saw a more than $1.9 billion drop in 12-month receipts between December 2008 and February 2010. Since then, we have seen an increase of more than $1.1 billion.”

Oklahoma: A positive example

As world financial markets react to uncertainty in Washington, Europe and the Middle East, Miller said Oklahoma’s economy is setting a positive example.

“Oklahoma’s two major revenue streams, income tax and sales tax, are showing remarkable resilience,” he said. “Income tax collections – up by almost 12 percent this month – show Oklahomans are making more money, and sales tax collections – up by almost nine percent – show we are also gaining confidence.”

Miller said the latest Business Conditions Index for Oklahoma continues to reflect a positive outlook for the state’s economy. The index for October shows anticipated growth for the next three to six months.

Attorney General’s Investigators Assist in Child Pornography Raid

Attorney General Scott Pruitt

OKLAHOMA CITY – A child pornography raid by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit, Okmulgee County Sheriff’s deputies, District 25 District Attorney’s Office investigators and investigators from the Attorney General’s Office resulted in the arrest of an Okmulgee man, Attorney General Scott Pruitt said Thursday.

John David McAlister, 26, of Okmulgee, was arrested Wednesday on complaints of aggravated possession and distribution of child pornography and violation of the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act. 

A search warrant resulted in the removal of several pieces of computer equipment. According to investigators, an on-site examination of the equipment revealed more than 100 child pornography images. Officials will conduct a thorough forensic investigation to determine the total number of images and videos, and the possible identities of victims. 

Investigators with the Attorney General’s Office trained with the OSBI in the safe serving of search warrants and searching for evidence in technology-facilitated crimes.

“Child pornography is a serious threat,” Pruitt said. “My office will continue to assist law enforcement to help safeguard Oklahoma families and citizens.”

DeWitt named Majority Floor Leader, other leadership changes made

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Dale DeWitt has been named the next Majority Floor Leader of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

House Speaker Kris Steele named DeWitt, R-Braman, to the position Friday to replace outgoing Floor Leader Dan Sullivan, R-Tulsa, who is leaving office later this month. DeWitt will become Floor Leader effective Dec. 1.

Rep. Dale DeWitt
R-Braman

“Dale DeWitt is a true leader whose talents and wisdom will serve Oklahoma extremely well as the House’s next floor leader,” said Steele, R-Shawnee. “His effective work this year in crafting the House redistricting plan is something that united our entire chamber when it could have easily turned into something highly contentious and divisive. This is the type of positive dynamic I know Dale will bring as floor leader.”

As Floor Leader, DeWitt will be responsible for assigning bills to committees, scheduling bills for floor hearings and running business on the floor during session. In addition to serving as Floor Leader, DeWitt will continue serving as chairman of the House Redistricting Committee. He will also maintain his current membership on other House committees. The responsibilities of the position of Majority Leader, which DeWitt previously held, will be distributed among other House leadership positions.

“I am honored and excited to serve in this new capacity and pledge to do everything I can to serve the entire House,” DeWitt said. “I recognize this is a unique privilege and intend to treat it as one.”

Steele made a handful of other changes Friday to caucus responsibilities.

“These changes are all about putting the right people in the right place at the right time so we can build on the success of last session,” Steele said. “Our caucus is full of diverse talents and it is our responsibility to maximize those talents in the best possible ways.”

Rep. Harold Wright, R-Weatherford, was named Deputy Floor Leader. As Deputy Floor Leader, Wright will assist with the duties of the Floor Leader’s office.

Rep. Jason Nelson, R-Oklahoma City, was named chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Services. Nelson has been leading the bipartisan group of House members that is reviewing the Department of Human Services.

“Given the importance of the work Representative Nelson is leading on DHS, it’s logical for him to serve as chairman of the committee most responsible for the agency’s budget. Having him in this role will be a big help to the House DHS reform group’s ongoing development of organizational, structural and resource allocation reforms for DHS,” Steele said.

Rep. Ron Peters, R-Tulsa, was moved to the chairman position for the House Committee on Energy and Utility Regulation.

“Ron’s valuable experience in the energy sector and as a committee chairman will serve the House extremely well as he takes on his new role,” Steele said.

Barresi Responds to Release of the Nation's Report Card

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Janet Barresi said National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores, released Tuesday, highlight the need for reforms in literacy and math education.

NAEP, also known as the Nation’s Report Card, shows that 73 percent of fourth and eighth graders in Oklahoma are below proficient in reading and 66 percent of fourth graders and 72 percent of eighth graders are below proficient in math.

“This is all the more reason to redouble our efforts and work quickly to implement our recently approved reforms,” Barresi said. “This also is all the more reason for us to focus on intervention for children in the earliest grades. We want to make sure we are implementing strategies so each child can cross the finish line.”

Barresi said the overall results are troubling, though there are signs of hope.

“This shows we are not making the gains we would like in closing the achievement gaps,” She said. “The only way to close those is to put an emphasis on literacy and STEM – science, technology, engineering and math.”

In Oklahoma, average math scores in grade four were 237 vs. 240 for the nation, and in grade eight were 279 in the state and 283 in the nation.  In Reading, average scores were 215 in grade four in Oklahoma versus 220 for the nation, and 260 in grade eight vs. 264 for the nation.

In reading, the numbers have stayed flat for the past four years, similar to the national picture. While they’re not worse, Barresi said it still shows that what we’ve tried in the past is not working. She said reforms passed this year, including third-grade graduation and more than $6 million being spent on reading sufficiency programs should help improve those scores in the future.

In math, the numbers are more hopeful. Oklahoma is one of only 13 states that showed a statistically significant gain over 2009 scores in the number of students scoring proficient this year. That number has more than doubled in the state since 2000. Overall, national math scores are inching up as well.

The state’s American Indian students also show increased proficiency in math and reading scores and are outperforming American Indian students throughout the nation. In fourth-grade math, for instance, Oklahoma American Indian students had an average score of 234 vs. 227 for the nation; 29 percent of Oklahoma American Indian students scored above proficient, vs. 24 percent for the nation. In fourth-grade reading, 25 percent of Oklahoma American Indian students scored above proficient, vs. 19 percent for the nation.

Oklahoma shows a low inclusion rate for special education students and English Language Learners, however. In Oklahoma fourth-grade math, for example, only 49 percent of special education students were tested vs. 84 percent in the nation.

“We must look closely at testing for children with special needs,” Barresi said, “to assure that each child receives the best education based on their individual need and to make sure districts are held accountable for the growth in skills and knowledge for this special population.”

NAEP is the largest nationally representative and continuing assessment of what America’s students know and can do in various subject areas. It is put together by the National Center for Education Statistics. 

NAEP typically tests about 3,000 students in about 100 schools in each state for each grade and subject.. Schools are selected for participation based on characteristics such as school location, minority enrollment, level of school achievement and average income of the geographic area. Within each selected school, students are selected at random to participate.  Students do not take the entire test, only a block. 

To see the full Nation’s Report Card, go to http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/about/current.asp.

Barresi releases School API Scores

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Janet Barresi on Tuesday released Academic Performance Index scores for each school in Oklahoma.

The list has been posted at http://sde.state.ok.us/AcctAssess/pdf/API/API2011.pdf.

“While this number takes into account multiple metrics, it is difficult for parents and those in the community to derive the impact of what these scores mean,” Barresi said. “We look forward to the implementation of our A through F grading system in our schools, so everyone -- parents, community members, grandparents and business leaders -- can work together with educators towards continuous improvement of schools.” 

The Academic Performance Index, which ranges from 0 to 1,500, includes state math and reading test results averaged by attendance counts at the elementary level. 

The API also takes into account ACT results, college remediation for math and English, Advanced Placement participation and graduation and drop-out rates at the secondary school level. 

The scores are used to determine if a school has made Adequate Yearly Progress as required by the federal No Child Left Behind ACT.  Schools that fail to meet AYP face a number of sanctions.

Dollars to the Classroom Looked at by Lawmakers

OKLAHOMA CITY – With years of watching an expanding percentage of budget dollars spent on education costs, legislators are looking at how to get more dollars to the classroom for direct instructional expenditures where they belong.

Education currently makes up well over half of appropriations statewide, noted state Rep. David Brumbaugh, who today sponsored an interim study on the subject.

Rep. David Brumbaugh
R-Broken Arrow

Although Oklahoma is a relatively low-income state, Brumbaugh said statistics indicate Oklahoma still ranks high in spending on education as a percentage of income.

“Oklahomans spend $5.4 billion on education, or $8,411 per student a year according to the Friedman Foundation, which doesn’t include the dedicated revenues that are going to schools that don’t go through the appropriations process,” said Brumbaugh, R-Broken Arrow. “That alone indicates we need greater transparency and accountability on actual costs. Furthermore, funding for things like debt service, CareerTech, bursars, pensions, or depreciation on buildings and assets are not currently included in those figures; I believe that data should be made easily accessible to the public. Overall, costs continue to go up, yet in many school districts less than half of expenditures are getting to the classroom.”

 It is estimated that only 51 percent of state public education employees are actually teachers, Brumbaugh noted. The rest is compromised of support services, administration, and other services.

“The alarming situation is that non instructional costs continue to rise yet we are still seeing flat results over the years with all our reforms,” Brumbaugh said. “In Tulsa County alone we have seen only a 6.9 percent rise in student population yet we have seen a 45.4 percent rise in school employees over a 10-year time period according to the County Assessors Office. Yet we are flat or seeing diminishing results with 28 percent of students dropping out of school while those who do go on to higher education are needing more and more remediation in basic subjects. That is not a very good report card. We need to get dollars to the classroom where they belong.”

The solution to this growing problem, Brumbaugh suggests, lies in looking at the whole process and overhauling how the state spends education dollars to be more effective at both state and local levels.

“We have to ask ourselves are we privatizing or jobbing out those services that can better be handled by the private sector such as food, medical and janitorial services. That would allow us to cut out certain salaries and benefits in some areas while promoting competitive bidding and increased quality in the process,” he said.

As a member of the Government Modernization and Select Pension Oversight Committees at the state level, Brumbaugh said officials also have to ask the basic business questions everyone in the private sector asks.

“Are we doing enough in employing business analytics to insure we are spending our precious resources effectively?” Brumbaugh said. “We really need to do a better job inquiring into whether we can we realize savings through things such as shared services, better streamlined supply chains, and reining in out-of-control pension costs. Some school districts are doing a good job at trying to reduce facility and utility costs, but others do not and should be asked to do more. It’s just not enough for us as legislators to point our finger at administrative costs and say that’s where the problem is. We need to find real-world business solutions to address the predicament we are in as a state and get more out of our education dollars and get them where they belong. We hope this study will plant those seeds.”

Related Links:

Lawmakers Call for Putting More Money in Classroom

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

Bill Benefiting Classroom Teachers Signed into Law

Person Convicted of DUI Praises Erin Swezey Act

Sen. Clark Jolley posted an email he received praising the Erin Swezey Act – from a person convicted of DUI. It confirms what Sen. Jolley and I said during session: http://nelsone.ws/tMzsne

Continued Good News on Pension Issues

OKLAHOMA CITY  – For the second time in two months, state lawmakers were told this week that reforms enacted this year have resulted in significant improvement to a state pension plan.

Thanks to legislative reforms, the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System’s unfunded liability has been slashed by approximately $1.7 billion, officials told members of the Pension Oversight Committee today.

School supply drive to benefit Oklahoma City Public Schools children

OKLAHOMA CITY - A two-week community-wide school supply drive to benefit students and teachers in Oklahoma City Public Schools will kick off Tuesday. With more than two dozen drop-off locations across the metro area, participating is easy.

Simply take supplies – a “wish list” is available at www.TeamUpOKC.com – to one of the designated drop-off locations by Nov. 15. When the drive is over, all donations will be delivered to the Teachers Warehouse at The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools.

“The business community recognizes that the needs of our students and teachers are more than schools can meet on their own,” said Michael Morrison, the owner of Comtech Direct Mail Solutions who is spearheading the drive. “We want to help.”

Teachers in Oklahoma City Public Schools can place online orders on a monthly basis for the supplies their students need most. White copy paper, crayons, markers, glue, safety scissors, backpacks and construction paper are some of the most requested items.

Sponsors of the TeamUpOKC drive include Comtech, Farmers Insurance Group, Oklahoma City Barons, Oklahoma Employees Credit Union, Bank of Oklahoma, FAA Credit Union, T&S Web Design, American Cleaners, Panera Bread, Ideal Homes, Oklahoma Gazette, OKC Biz, Clear Channel Communications, Feed the Children, SportClips, Hertz, Red Bud Financial Group, The Journal Record, Social-ism.biz and Jason’s Deli.

Since its inception in 2008, Teachers Warehouse has distributed more than $700,000 in free supplies to Oklahoma City classrooms. The vast majority of the school district’s students and their families live at or near the poverty line and struggle to provide even the most basic supplies. Teachers often try to fill the gap themselves – an expensive proposition. Through the warehouse, the Foundation seeks to close the gap between what students and teachers have and what they need to be successful.

Teachers Warehouse operates 10 months out of the year in recognition that the need for supplies is an ongoing. Even with generous Teachers Warehouse sponsors including Chesapeake Energy, Devon Energy and OG&E, the demand for supplies exceeds donations, particularly as the school year creeps toward Christmas and beyond the holidays.

The warehouse typically “sells out” of copy paper, hand sanitizer and other high-demand items within minutes after the monthly ordering period opens. Hundreds of volunteers are required to conduct inventory, unload and sort donations and pack orders.

“We’re grateful for the business community’s support of Teachers Warehouse and what it means for the children and teachers in Oklahoma City Public Schools,” said Lori Dickinson, the Foundation’s executive director. “Academic success will be difficult to come by if students don’t have the basic materials necessary in every classroom.”

DROP-OFF LOCATIONS

Barresi Releases Districts And Schools on Needs Improvement List

OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 27, 2011) – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Janet Barresi on Thursday morning released the names of schools and school districts on the Needs Improvement list because of failure to meet Adequate Yearly Progress for two years in a row based on Academic Performance Index (API) scores.

The lists have been posted on the state Department of Education's website, www.sde.state.ok.us. 

“We know that schools are working very hard to constantly improve, and we’re looking forward to helping all of our schools continue to find innovative ways to gain ground,” Barresi said. 

“We will be looking at ways to help every school in every district on this list determine effective strategies for improvement. There is not a blanket solution. The strategy will vary in each school. The failure of even one child in Oklahoma to reach his or her potential is something we should all be concerned about.”

Maridyth McBee, the interim assistant state superintendent over school accountability and assessment, delivered reports to the state Board of Education during the board’s regular monthly meeting Thursday.

McBee explained that AYP, as required by federal No Child Left Behind legislation, is determined from reading and math scores, percent of students tested and graduation and attendance rates. Schools that fail to meet AYP face a number of sanctions.

The number of districts and schools on the Needs Improvement list rose from 2010 in large part because of changes made in 2009 to threshold benchmarks that mark the difference between a passing or failing grade.

Districts that have not met AYP for two years are placed on the Needs Improvement List. There are 56 districts in year one on the Needs Improvement list this year, up from 9 districts in 2010. There are five districts in year two on the list, compared to zero districts at this stage in 2010. There are 172 schools in year one on the Needs Improvement list this year compared to 62 schools in 2010; 37 schools are in year two on the list versus 17 in 2010.“We are taking this seriously,” Barresi said. “The increases in our benchmarks were an important change. These changes have been planned since 2002, and we knew the requirements would be more challenging.

“This should not be a reason to pull back,” Barresi said. “This is all the more reason to push forward with our reforms.”

Barresi said waivers to No Child Left Behind legislation, which are being requested from the federal government, will lead to a new accountability system that will in turn focus on individual growth of students and on the hard work being done by districts.

The state’s new A through F grading system for schools, expected to be in place by summer 2012, also will help parents and community members gain a clearer understanding of work that is being done in districts and give them direction in how to help support that work, Barresi said.

API scores for each school will be posted on the state Department of Education’s website next week.

For a list of districts on the Needs Improvement list, go to http://www.sde.state.ok.us/NCLB/pdf/Improvement/DI_11.pdf. 

For a list of schools on the Needs Improvement list, go to http://www.sde.state.ok.us/NCLB/pdf/Improvement/SI_11.pdf. 

For state test scores, go to http://www.sde.state.ok.us/AcctAssess/pdf/Core/testresults/StateResults2011.pdf.

Stronger DUI law starts Tuesday

Erin Swezey

OKLAHOMA CITY – Starting next Tuesday, November 1, Oklahomans who drive drunk will face tougher penalties—changes that supporters say will save lives.  Sen. Clark Jolley and Rep. Jason Nelson authored the Erin Swezey Act last session, which won overwhelming approval by the legislature and was signed into law by Gov. Mary Fallin.  The legislation was named for a 20-year-old Oklahoma State University student from Edmond who was killed in 2009 by a drunk driver with numerous DUI arrests and convictions.

“We want people to know that if they choose to drink too much and get behind the wheel, they will face greater consequences.  Hopefully that may discourage some people from driving drunk in the first-place,” said Jolley, R-Edmond.  “If not, the provisions of the Erin Swezey Act will make it much more difficult for them to drink and drive once they’ve been convicted of DUI.”

Sen. Clark Jolley speaking at a Capitol press conference with
Erin Swezey's family, Rep. Nelson and State Troopers

As of November 1, an interlock device will be required for 18 months on a first conviction for those with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .15 or higher.  For a second or subsequent offense, the interlock will be mandatory for those with a BAC of .08 for a period of four years, and for five years on subsequent offenses.  Under the new law, those convicted will have the designation “Interlock Required” on the face of their driver licenses as long as they’re required to have an interlock device.

The Oklahoma Highway Safety Office has already begun airing a new Public Service Announcement about interlock devices, which can be viewed on their website (http://ok.gov/ohso/) and will also be working to raise public awareness about the Erin Swezey Act.

“Keeping the public safe on Oklahoma roadways is a top priority for law enforcement,” said Oklahoma Highway Patrol Major Rusty Rhodes.  “This law provides stricter rules for DUI offenders and will help us keep impaired drivers off the roads.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control, interlock devices are credited with reducing repeat drunk driving offenses by an average of 67 percent, with a 30 percent reduction of alcohol related fatalities.  However some states have seen even greater results. 

Keith and Dixie Swezey visit
with Rep. Nelson after Erin Swezey
Act passed the final House vote

“In Arizona, they’ve cut their fatalities by nearly half.  That’s pretty dramatic,” said Nelson, R-Oklahoma City.  “We’ll never know whose life we’ve saved with this law, but it could be any one of us or our own children or grandchildren.”

Among those attending Thursday’s State Capitol press conference to raise public awareness about the new law were Erin’s parents, Keith and Dixie Swezey, her brothers, and other friends and family members.

“Drunk driving is not a victimless crime.  Erin’s life was cut tragically short by a senseless and 100 percent preventable act,” said Keith Swezey.  “But if this new law is properly enforced, countless Oklahoma citizens will not have to suffer the tragedy that our family and so many others have gone through.”

(For digital audio go to www.oksenate.gov and select “Media”)