Superintendent candidates offer clear choice on choice

Gov. Brad Henry yesterday signed legislation which will provide scholarships to special-needs students in Oklahoma. With regard to these special-needs scholarships, it's interesting to note the contrasting positions of the two candidates for state school superintendent.

The Democratic candidate, state Sen. Susan Paddack of Ada, voted against the bill. The Republican candidate, Dr. Janet Barresi of Edmond, yesterday released a statement supporting the legislation:

“House Bill 3393 gives the parents of special-needs children greater control over their children’s education and, as a result, gives those children greater opportunities throughout their lives,” said Barresi, who helped launch two public charter schools that serve both traditional students and those on individualized education programs (IEPs). “All those who supported this important law, both Democrat and Republican, are to be commended, but state Representative Jason Nelson deserves an extra heaping of praise. This year he was a tireless and forceful advocate for the children and parents who are too often overlooked by the system.”

House Bill 3393, by Nelson and State Sen. Patrick Anderson, would allow students with disabilities who have an IEP to qualify for a scholarship to attend any private school that meets the accreditation requirements of the State Board of Education. The scholarship program does not require new spending, but merely redirects existing state funds that are currently spent on the student.

“Like many important reforms, this law was opposed by the defenders of the status quo,” Barresi said. “But I believe those opposing House Bill 3393 have forgotten the true goal of our public education system -- to provide all children, no matter what their circumstances, with a quality education that allows them to become productive citizens as adults. House Bill 3393 accomplishes that goal. As State Superintendent, my mission will be to continue empowering parents and improving the lives of all Oklahoma children.”

Governor inks special-needs bill

Hats off to Governor Brad Henry, who yesterday signed into law the most important bill of the entire 2010 legislative session. The House press release is below, and a video is here. (For the record, the House roll call is here, and the Senate roll call is here.)

OKLAHOMA CITY (June 8, 2010) -- Supporters praised Gov. Brad Henry today for signing a bill providing scholarships to special needs students.

"This is a great day for Oklahoma families with special needs children," said state Rep. Jason Nelson, R-Oklahoma City. "For those families, this bill is a chance at a better education and a better life."

House Bill 3393, by Nelson and state Sen. Patrick Anderson, would allow students with disabilities who have an individualized education program (IEP) to qualify for a scholarship to attend any public or private school that meets the accreditation requirements of the State Board of Education.

The legislation had strong support from many families of children with autism.

The legislation has been named the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program Act to honor the memory of the governor's daughter, who died of a rare neuromuscular disease as an infant.

"We are very honored that Governor and Mrs. Henry have allowed us to name this important piece of legislation after their daughter who passed away at seven months of age," said Wanda Felty, parent of a child with multiple disabilities. "The simple fact is there is often an unspoken bond among parents of special needs children, and although Lindsey Nicole's life was short, she helped shape the type of people the Henrys are. We appreciate their compassion and understanding of our plight, and we certainly appreciate the Governor’s support of this bill."

"We want to make it clear, neither the Governor, nor his wife, nor his staff, nor anyone connected to him asked for this change. Instead it was suggested to him as a way to honor the memory of his daughter and let it be known for generations to come that she, and her parents, are helping to improve the lives of special needs children across the state," said state House Speaker Pro Tempore Kris Steele, R-Shawnee. "Especially given that this program was passed in the waning days of the last legislative session of Governor Henry's tenure, we think this action is both appropriate and warranted. We are pleased that Representative Nelson agreed to amend his Conference Committee Report to include this change."

Lindsey Nicole was the twin of the Henrys' oldest daughter, Leah. Lindsey died at seven months of age due to complications from a rare genetic disorder.

The scholarship program created through House Bill 3393 would not require new spending, but would merely redirect existing state funds that are currently spent on the student.

Other states with similar laws include Florida, Georgia, Utah, Ohio, and Arizona. The Florida program has been in place since 1999 and now serves approximately 20,000 students with special needs. House Bill 3393 closely mirrors the Florida and Georgia laws.

"Having visited with many families of special-needs students, I know how important this legislation is to ensuring they are able to provide the best future possible for their children," said Nelson, R-Oklahoma City. "It is only fitting that we honor the Henrys and Lindsey Nicole as part of this process to show that even the worst moments of our lives can have positive repercussions. I appreciate the governor's support and this opportunity to honor his daughter."

To better understand the importance of this law, here is a brief video telling the story of a special-needs student in Arizona.

Ouch

Democrat state Senator Jim Wilson's hometown paper reports that on Friday

Wilson said too many teachers in the state's education system do it simply to make a living, not necessarily because they are passionate about educating young people.

'You punch them, I punch you'

Running up the score

At 18 to 0, this is getting a little embarrassing. That's 18 studies finding school choice improves public schools to zero finding that school choice hurts public schools.

Education lottery coming to Oklahoma

[Guest post by OCPA intern David Griffin]

No, not that one. I’m talking about a movie called The Lottery, which will be showing this Tuesday, June 8 at 7:30 PM in Oklahoma City (Bricktown 16) and Tulsa (Starworld 20). The Lottery follows four families in inner city New York, each seeking a better chance for educational success. This is a gripping documentary detailing the often emotional battle for school choice. To see a trailer or to find out more, click here.

Bring your family and friends, grab a bag of popcorn, and enjoy!

Union schtick wearing thin

Members of Oklahoma's education establishment -- especially those pushing hard for the proposed State Question 744 -- might want to consider a new blog post by Rick Hess ("How to Lose Friends and Alienate People"). Hess writes:

The AFT and NEA might want to start rethinking their "we're special and should be protected from budget cuts because we're there for the kids" strategy. ... The unions might want to think about the risks of misplaying their hand and whether that will cost them crucial goodwill as states wrestle with tough budget choices in 2011 and beyond.

Oh yeah, firms are beating her door down to pay her $85K

Whiny schoolteacher: I'm not getting paid enough.

Governor of New Jersey: "Well, you know what? Then you don't have to do it."

Public money to private schools -- again

"Legislature OK's bill to send public money to private schools," the Tulsa World reports.

Public money to private schools? Sounds pretty ominous. Except that it already happens all the time. Oh, and Oklahomans are good with it.

Great moments in condescension

In Democracy in America, Tocqueville warned that if despotism were to come to America, it wouldn't be your garden-variety despotism. "It would be more extensive and milder, and it would degrade men without tormenting them." He speaks of a "regulated, mild, and peaceful servitude" which "does not tyrannize, it hinders, compromises, enervates, extinguishes, dazes, and finally reduces each nation to being nothing more than a herd of timid and industrious animals of which the government is the shepherd."

Comes now Mr. Neil Brannon of Arkoma, Oklahoma. A former school principal and superintendent, the avuncular and well-meaning Mr. Brannon represents District 3 in the state House of Representatives. On May 21, Rep. Brannon, a Democrat, argued against legislation which would give more school choices to parents of special-needs students.

Now in some cases, the benevolent solon from LeFlore County magnanimously allowed, mothers and fathers "know what's best for their child." Yes indeed, in some cases, mothers and fathers are actually "very good in making decisions about their child." But in other cases, he warned darkly, "I've seen students with disabilities where the parents had disabilities also. Are they really the ones that ought to be making the decision about where that child goes?"

One can only speculate as to what's going on in Arkoma, what reproductive practices and resultant disorders are fueling this multi-generational cycle of unreliable decision making. I find it difficult to believe it's a widespread problem. And I find it difficult to believe I'm the only Oklahoman who resents the paternalistic impulses of a politician (Tocqueville warned of "an immense tutelary power" which would take charge of watching over us) -- especially a politician who once superintended a school district where the math achievement of the average student is at the 12th percentile relative to an international comparison group. It's altogether possible, Rep. Brannon, that we are grown men and women in a free society and that we can get along just fine, thank you.

The simple truth is that Rep. Brannon wants politicians and bureaucrats -- not parents -- to choose what's best for children. Because given a choice, parents may well head for the exits of their local public school. And "I don't think we need to open the door, to just throw it wide open," he says. After all,

Parents "may think they know what's best, but do they?"

Wow. Gotta admire the candor. Bless his heart for just saying that right out loud on the House floor.

All of which leaves me with a very important question for Rep. Brannon. If the parents of House District 3 aren't capable of choosing a good school for their children, how can they be trusted to choose a competent official to represent them in the Oklahoma House of Representatives?

Autistic Enid girl visits legislators

CapitolBeatOK reports that an Enid student with autism visited the Oklahoma state capitol yesterday in support of House Bill 3393, the special-needs scholarship bill.

House approves special-needs scholarship bill

State Rep. Jason Nelson (R-Oklahoma City) had an excellent column this morning in The Oklahoman arguing in favor of House Bill 3393, a bill providing scholarships for special-needs students. The House passed the bill this afternoon by a margin of 54-46:

YEAS:   54

Billy              Johnson            Osborn             Shumate            
Blackwell          Jones              Ownbey             Steele             
Christian          Kern               Peters             Sullivan           
Cooksey            Key                Peterson           Terrill            
Cox                Liebmann           Pittman            Thompson           
Dank               Martin, Sc         Reynolds           Thomsen            
Denney             Martin, St.        Richardson         Tibbs              
Derby              McCullough         Ritze              Trebilcock         
Enns               McDaniel, R.       Rousselot          Wesselhoft         
Fields             Miller             Russ               Wright, H.         
Hamilton           Moore              Sanders            Wright, J.         
Hickman            Murphey            Schwartz           Mr. Speaker        
Holland            Nelson             Sears              
Jackson            Ortega             Shannon            


NAYS:   46

Armes              Dorman             Kirby              Pruett             
Auffet             Duncan             Kouplen            Renegar            
Bailey             Faught             Lamons             Roan               
Banz               Glenn              Luttrell           Scott              
Brannon            Harrison           McAffrey           Shelton            
Brown              Hilliard           McDaniel, J.       Sherrer            
Buck               Hoskin             McNiel             Shoemake           
Cannaday           Inman              McPeak             Walker             
Carey              Jett               Morgan             Watson             
Collins            Jordan             Morrissette        Williams           
Coody              Joyner             Nations            
DeWitt             Kiesel             Proctor            


EXCUSED:    1

Smithson