Over the past legislative session, the Oklahoma State Department of Education has attempted to advance a litany of questionable agenda items through the administrative rulemaking process. These proposals were so controversial that the Legislature ultimately chose not to act on these and all other agency rules, instead sending the decision to the governor’s desk, where they now await his approval or disapproval.
He has until July 17 to take action.
The state Department of Education’s proposed rules have a theme: creating new ways to assign accreditation deficiencies to school districts. School accreditation reporting is about running a school. Conducting the required number of fire drills, or ensuring that the chemistry teacher is actually certified to teach chemistry.
If there are enough shortcomings, this could mean that a school is closed or taken over. Every staff member loses their job and every family has to find a new place for their children to go to school. Imagine the chaos this would cause for communities and for the local economy. It is not a step to be taken lightly.
More: Lawmakers should get an “F” for dodging the critical debate and vote on Oklahoma’s education rules
It’s likely that many Oklahomans have heard about the efforts to tie high-stakes testing to accreditation (which is a terrible idea), but less discussed are a handful of other proposals that require further study. In particular, those who connect the voluntary student prayer and the required minute of silence. These requirements are unique: they are already state law, and parents have the authority to take legal action if their child is also denied.
Why link these things to accreditation? Students can already pray at school – they just cannot be guided in prayer by a staff member or teacher. Religious education and guidance must always remain the exclusive responsibility of the parents. The minute’s silence guarantees a basis on which every student can pray or reflect in any way.
Consider the bigger picture. Linking these items to accreditation adds to the growing list of ways the state education department can target school districts. Why?
You only have to look at neighboring states to see what path we are on. In Arkansas, the state has begun taking over small rural school districts and opening D.C.-based charter schools instead. Gone are the local school boards and the voice of the community.
In Texas, the largest public school has been taken over by the state and is led by a superintendent who has been embroiled in ongoing controversy, most recently for allegedly sending taxpayer money to out-of-state Colorado charters.
More: The fate of Ryan Walters’ administrative rules for the education department rests with Stitt
We have to be careful about laying the groundwork here in Oklahoma. There is a theme – one that fraught the accreditation process with pitfalls and pitfalls for our public schools. These two new rules are part of a larger effort – one that we must champion if we want to protect our children across Oklahoma from the coming chaos.
We must urge the governor to reject the rules that tie voluntary student prayer and minute silence to accreditation, along with all others who do so.
Now is the time to rally behind our public schools. Find out what they need, work to meet it, and hold them accountable. Leave aside the rhetoric and chaos that is causing teachers to leave the profession in droves. Our children and our communities deserve better.
Melissa Provenzano represents the people of Oklahoma’s 79th District in the House of Representatives.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Education rules could hurt local economies and should not be passed
