Public School Interim Studies

   Several dozen interim studies have been approved by the House and Senate leadership as of last week, which should begin in August and have work wrapped up by November 1. Education studies have been assigned to various committees, including the Senate Appropriations Committee and Education Committee for those interested in public schools. For instance, Gary Stanislawski, R-Tulsa, is running a study on "equitable funding for charter schools". This study was introduced in response to the belief that charter schools do not receive adequate and equitable local funding from the state. It is hoped the study will provide motivation for legislation to increase local and state funding for Oklahoma and corporate charter schools.
   Senator Ron Sharp, R-Shawnee, is running a study on "the funding formula for virtual 'charter' and brick & mortar 'traditional' schools". While Sharp's study sounds very similar to the Stanislawski study, as both will focus on the "funding adequacy" aspect for charter schools - the factual evidence presented may be strikingly different. The challenge for the public in determining what presented facts are real and what facts are not real will be difficult. I will attend the Appropriation Committee hearings for both studies and update the proceedings on this blog post, including the times and dates for any meetings.
   Senator Gary Stanislawski, R-Tulsa, is sponsoring another study in the "Education Committee" which takes a look at "virtual charter school performance". It is assumed that by "performance", Stanislawski intends to study virtual charter school letter grades (A-F), student graduation rates, drop-out rates, etc.
   Also in the Education Committee, Sen. Ron Sharp, R-Shawnee, will sponsor a study on "classification reform for OSSAA member schools". The Education Committee will study the facts surrounding the inequitable classification of OSSAA member schools, which has helped cause the "unlevel playing field". As in the previously mentioned approved studies, I will attend the committee hearings and keep all interested parties informed through this blog post and future articles.