OCPA president says outdated models aren't working

Jonathan Small

"Over the last 30 years there has been a recognition in Oklahoma and nationally that it's too difficult for one central entity or person to try and determine what structure will work best for all kids," OCPA president Jonathan Small tells The Oklahoman.

"A number of developed countries have shifted to a full voucher model and numerous states have education savings accounts. I do think a lot of the mandates had good intentions, but the problem was they were trying to make an old model work that has no chance of working in this new era that we are in." 

Small believes teachers would also find higher pay and increased flexibility by updating benefit structures and moving more existing funds away from non-classroom sources to teachers.

"There are some key special interest groups that benefit from the status quo," Small said. "In particular the superintendents association and the teachers union, those organizations have financial models that works best under the old system."