Legislative Democrats unveil Oklahoma’s Commitment; package outlines multi-year literacy, funding plan

OKLAHOMA CITY – Members of the Democratic Senate and House Caucuses have announced a legislative slate called Oklahoma’s Commitment – a multi-year plan to improve reading skills for Oklahoma children, and support and retain highly-trained professional educators.

“Every child deserves a great education, but that requires a commitment to fully fund initiatives that have proven outcomes, including intensive literacy programs,” said Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City. “Our legislation not only commits to that funding, but identifies the resources necessary to deliver real results, including early intervention for young students, and offering the additional support and salary needed to keep highly-qualified teachers in the classroom.”

The multi-year plan calls for fully funding the initiatives necessary to deliver real results, which will give educators and communities stability, predictability, and a clear long-term vision.

“Real gains in literacy can be directly tied to early screening, followed by targeted and sustained interventions. These have to happen far sooner than the third grade, and families have got to be on the team,” said Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa. “We caution against the reintroduction of the third grade retention law that was just repealed two years ago. Our memories are long, and we know that third grade retention based on a test was a source of great stress for children, families, and teachers alike, and didn't translate into the results we're after.”

Rep. Ellen Pogemiller said those supports, interventions, and emphasis on qualified teachers are at the heart of Oklahoma’s Commitment.

"As a public school parent, I know that the teacher in the classroom is the most important indicator of a child's learning in the school. Therefore, our commitment to parents should be to have the most qualified and trained teacher in your child's classroom with compensation and training that matches our high expectations,” said Pogemiller, D-Oklahoma City. “Providing wrap-around supports like counselors, food and family literacy supports, ensures that kids are ready to learn when they step into the classroom."

The plan would also streamline pathways to education and sunset/remove adjuncts who have no requirements to meet professional educational standards. The package also calls for increased pay for teachers and for removing adjunct teachers from kindergarten through the fifth grade.

The bills that will create Oklahoma’s Commitment include:

Commitment to supporting and paying qualified teachers
- SB 1363 raises the base salary for teachers, with more financial opportunity with more training
- SB 1293 LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) comprehensive literacy training for every teacher        
- HB 3010 removes adjuncts in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade

$270 million funding commitment
- HB 3684 repeals the Parental Choice Tax Credit, providing $250 million
- HB 3065 would provide $20 million through a tax on vapes

Commitment to supporting the classroom
- SB 1297 ensures high dosage tutoring, providing early, targeted interventions for struggling readers
- SB 1334 providing proven screening tools and curriculum that works
- SB 1291 ramps up direct supports for classroom teachers with literacy coaches
- HB 3487 gives school support staff a raise
- HB 1128 reinstates the School Counselor Corps Program, reducing counselor-to-student ratio
- SB 1974 supports students with disabilities

Commitment to students and families
- SB 1974 ensures parents are in the loop
- HB 4091 creates the Family Literacy Task Force
- HB 1493 includes exercise during the day to engage the brain
- HB 2092 expands the school meals program

“In recent years, Oklahoma’s leaders have failed to enact policies and provide the funding necessary for our schools and our students to thrive, and as a result, we’ve sunk to 50^th in the nation in education. Our children deserve better, and Oklahoma’s Commitment will provide the tools and the resources for success,” Hicks said. “We’re ready to roll up our sleeves and get to work on these bills and invite our colleagues across the aisle to join us in ensuring Oklahoma’s children have the opportunities they deserve.”

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For more information, contact: 
Sen. Carri Hicks at 405-521-5543 or Carri.Hicks@oksenate.gov
Rep. Melissa Provenzano at 405-557-7330 or Melissa.Provenzano@okhouse.gov
Rep. Ellen Pogemiller at 405-557-7396 or Ellen.Pogemiller@okhouse.gov