1. education

The
Education
Focus
For the membership of the Oklahoma Education Association • June/July 2014
Why June Matters
Barresi’s track record
One last look at the
candidates
Wins and losses from the
legislative session
Delegate Assembly highlights
Recognizing student artists
Putting education first
2
A Flair for Art
Winners of our Read Across America poster contest
are announced.
4-5 AWhy
June Matters
look at State Supt. Janet Barresi’s four-year track
record and what the candidates say about teacher
certification requirements.
6-7 Wins and Losses
2
An analysis of OEA’s biggest wins and toughest
losses during the 2014 legislative session and an
overview of some of the education bills that passed
and some that didn’t become law.
8
Also....
Pg 3 – Get Connected
Pg 8 – Delegates approve development
of OEA mobile app
Pg 9 – Changes delay full implementation
of the TLE
Pg 10 – Winners of the 2014 Marshall
Gregory, Golden Apple and 5
Star Local Awards
The
Education
Focus
Volume 31, No. 6
The Education Focus is a production
of the Oklahoma Education Association’s
Communications Center.
Linda S. Hampton, President
Alicia Priest, Vice President
Lela Odom, Executive Director
Amanda Ewing, Associate Executive Director
Doug Folks, Editor
Dawn Jones, External Media
Need help? Contact your regional team.
Oklahoma City Metro, Northwest, Southeast
and Southwest Teams
323 E. Madison, Okla. City, OK 73105
800/522-8091 or 405/528-7785
Northeast and Tulsa Metro Teams
10820 E. 45th , Suite. 110, Tulsa, OK, 74146
800/331-5143 or 918/665-2282
Join the conversation.
okea.org
Facebook – Oklahoma.Education.Association
and Student.Oklahoma.Education.Association
twitter.com/okea (@okea)
pinterest.com/oeaedupins
The Education Focus (ISSN 1542-1678)
is published seven times annually:
October/November, December/January,
February, March, April/May, June/July and
August/September, for $5
by the Oklahoma Education Association, 323 E.
Madison, Oklahoma City, OK 73105.
Periodicals postage paid at Okla. City, OK, and
additional mailing offices.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes
to The Education Focus, PO Box 18485,
Oklahoma City, OK 73154.
It is imperative we
get out the vote
for June 24
By Linda Hampton
OEA President
I
Why June Matters
’m sure you have seen this slogan on
our information about the upcoming
elections. Obviously, the primary
election on June 24 will determine which
candidates will be in the November general election, and it’s critical we have good
candidates. However, it’s what will follow for the next four years that makes this
election cycle so vital to public education.
Will it be four more years of a state
superintendent who does not value public education, or will it be a person who
actually values public education and respects and listens to its employees? There
is too much at stake for us to just sit back
and hope for the best. There are three
steps we have to take to elect a public
education-friendly state superintendent.
First and foremost, we have to vote
and encourage others to do the same. We
all have a circle of people we influence
– in person, on social media and professionally. Make sure each and every one
of the people in your circle votes.
Step two is a little more challenging.
I am asking that you step outside your
circle of friends and peers and talk to
people who don’t live in our “world of
education.” It’s concerning when a recent poll shows only a 1 point difference
in Barresi and her Republican challenger.
I’ve been asked, “How on earth could
this happen?” In my opinion, it’s because
we surround ourselves primarily with
like-minded people. People who know
about our struggles and hopes for our
students and our profession. People who
feel as strongly as we do about the lack of
support public education has gotten over
the last four years from the very person
who should be its strongest advocate —
Superintendent Barresi. But, not everyone
lives and breathes public education like
June/July 2014 we do. It’s those people outside education
we have to reach.
I’ve tried to practice what I’m preaching and have found it to be an eyeopening experience. I’ve talked to my
doctor, the person who does my hair,
people at church and even one person
in line at the supermarket. What an eye
opener it was for me when some didn’t
even know the name of the state superintendent! Others knew a little about what
was going on but not really a great deal.
I get that – they have other professions
they care about. The amazing part was
that they were each willing to listen and
then became engaged and supportive.
They will now be at the polls voting for
a public education-friendly person, and
they will be telling people in their circle
about it too.
Step three is to volunteer to work
for a candidate. It may be something as
formal as working in a campaign going door-to-door or as simple as asking
others to vote. According to the Oklahoma Ethics Commission as of March
31, Superintendent Barresi has donated
President Linda Hampton
$350,000 of her own money to her campaign. We are Oklahoma teachers and
support professionals so clearly we don’t
have this kind of money to donate, but
we do have 35,000 members who will
speak. If each of our members donates
30 minutes to work to elect an educationfriendly candidate that will equal more
than 700 days of campaigning time.
That is much more impressive than cash.
Working together we can determine the
outcome of the election.
To quote Paul Wellstone, “If we don’t
fight hard enough for the things we stand
for; at some point we have to recognize
that we don’t really stand for them.”
Thanks for being willing to stand for
public education. I’ll see you at the polls!
Summer Regional Leadership Trainings
June 25 – Northwest Region
9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Indian Creek Winery
More info: [email protected]
July 18, SE Leadership Day
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
More info: [email protected]
July 17 – Northeast/Tulsa Metro
Regions
9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wilson Teaching
and Learning Academy, Tulsa
More info: [email protected]
July 19 – OKC Metro Region
9 a.m. Bus tour of learning sites
around Oklahoma City and OEA
Night with the OKC RedHawks.
More info: [email protected]
July 17-18 – Southeast Region
Lucy Smith Center, McAlester HS
July 17, New Leaders Day
10 a.m. to 7 p.m.,
July 25 – Southwest Region
9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.,
Chickasaw Retreat and
Conference Center, Sulphur
More info: [email protected]
Oklahoma Education Association / 1
A flair for art
Students capture
their favorite books
through drawings
What do a duck, a dragon, a mockingjay and Alice In Wonderland have in
common?
They are all subjects of the first-place
winning entries in OEA’s Read Across
America poster contest. More than 500
Oklahoma students submitted pictures
inspired by their favorite books in the annual art contest.
The first place winners take home a
$75 debit card and second place winners
receive a $50 card while honorable mention artists receive a certificate.
2014 RAA Poster
Contest Winners
Kindergarten – 2nd Grade
1st Place, “The Duckling Gets a
Cookie,” Aubrey Robchaux, Russell
Daugherty Elementary, Edmond; Sara
Starr, teacher.
2nd Place, “My Little Pony,” Abby
Ann Renti, Hartshorne Elementary; Lillian Nelson, teacher.
HM, “Oh, The Places You Will Go,”
Tre Grippando, Hartshorne Elementary;
Lillian Nelson, teacher.
3rd-5th Grade
1st Place, “Wings of Fire,” Connor
O’Neal, Inola Middle School; Victoria
Holbrook, teacher.
2nd Place, “The Lorax,” Kyndal Pietrowicz, Reagan Elementary, Norman;
Jessica Wilson, teacher.
HM, “The Lorax,” Raely Elston-Gonzalez, Reagan Elementary, Norman; Dr.
Anita Lane, teacher.
6th-8th Grade
1st Place, “Mockingjay,” Samuel
Kravchuck, Bristow Middle School;
Dana Parish, teacher.
2nd Place, “Alice’s Adventure in
Wonderland,” Joanna DuBois, Pansy
Kidd Middle School, Poteau; Rebecca
Miller,teacher.
2 / The Education Focus
HM, “Eldest,” Emily Kravchuck, Bristow Middle School; Dana Parish, teacher.
9th-12th Grade
1st Place, “Alice in Wonderland,”
Lean Filart, Memorial High School,
Tulsa; Alexander Kokorich, teacher.
2nd Place, “Maximum Ride,” Paola
Angeles, Memorial High School, Tulsa;
Alexander Kokorich, teacher.
HM, “Catching Fire,” Brandi Villanueva, Memorial High School, Tulsa;
Alexander Kokorich, teacher.
First place winners, clockwise from top
left: K-2, The Duckling Gets a Cookie,
Aubrey Robchaux, Edmond; 3-5, Wings
of Fire, Connor O’Neal, Inola; 9-12,
Alice in Wonderland, Lean Filart, Tulsa;
and 6-8, Mockingjay, Samuel Kravchuck,
Bristow.
See all of this year’s winners
in the Photo Gallery section
of the OEA website, okea.org.
June/July 2014
Get Connected by Dawn Jones
Contact: [email protected]
Shares, Likes, Comments!
FACEBOOK: Oklahoma Education Association
Amy, 6/1/14: For those looking for a change in public education leadership, please make this your profile page over the next few weeks...
OEA, 5/21/14: Re: Veto override of HB2625, statement from Linda Hampton, OEA President: “Today I
joined hundreds of parents and educators as we witnessed bipartisan support from our Reps and Senators who united to right the wrong done to our young
children with the high-stakes third grade reading test.
TWITTER: @okea
Tulsa World, 6/03/14: Schools across Oklahoma say writing test results deeply flawed. State Dept of Educ stand by the scores. http://bit.
ly/1kD4wes #oklaed @tulsaworld
OKEA, 5/28/14: Where will you be June 24? Summer’s fun/carefree
- but the wrong candidate winning isn’t. Vote Absentee #oklaed http://
www.ok.gov/elections/Absentee_Voting/
OKEA, 5/23/14: HB3170 PASSED with a vote of 84-8 this bill reduces
the number of EOI’s high school students must take. #oklaed
OKEA, 5/23/14: Rep. McPeak said we (legis) like to address bullying,
feels good to work on preventing it. But, over-testing kids is bullying.
Emily Virgin, 5/21/14: Checks and balances lesson at the Capitol
today. #veto #override
Simply Said. ... With Linda!
OEA President Linda Hampton’s Blog
5/23/14: Glorious, Not Pathetic: “I was more than a little irritated by
comments from our State Superintendent after the legislature overrode the veto of HB 2625 earlier this week. She called the override
“outrageous and pathetic.” I promise you it was neither outrageous
nor pathetic when I got to call my grandson’s parents and tell them
the bill had passed.” via http://okea.org/oea-blog
Joy Hofmeister (R)
FB: Joy Hofmeister
Twitter: joy4ok
Web: joyforoklahoma.com
Brian Kelly (R)
Twitter: bsmgk
Web: briankellyforsuperintendent.com
John Cox (D)
FB: Elect Dr. John Cox for
State Superintendent
Twitter: Dr. John Cox
Web: okeducation.us
Freda Deskin (D)
FB: Freda Deskin for State
Superintendent
Twitter: Dr. Freda Deskin
Web: deskinforkids.com
Jack Herron (D)
Why June Matters
FB: Jack C. Herron
Twitter: Herron4OK
Web: Herronforoklahoma.
com
YouTube Channel
June/July 2014 incumbent
Janet Costello Barresi (R)
FB: Janet Barresi
Twitter: JanetForKids
Web: janetbarresi.com
Tickling Tweets
Available on the “Why June Matters”
YouTube channel are videos of most of
the State Superintendent candidates
speaking about important #oklaed issues. To view, go to: Youtube.com and
search for: Why June Matters.
Candidates for State Superintendent
of Public Instruction are online!
of OEA Members
voted in the June 2010
Primary Election.
We will do better in
June 2014!
Ivan Holmes (D)
FB: Ivan Holmes OK Superintendent 2014
Web: ivanholmes.com
Oklahoma Education Association / 3
Why June Matters
If you enjoyed the last four years
of Janet Barresi, you’ll love four more
Moore Schools with advanced aid following the May 2013 tornado which
destroyed two schools, damaged others,
and killed 7 students and one teacher.
Off on the wrong foot
Public Gives Barresi an “F”
November 2010 – Dentist Janet Barresi elected State Superintendent of Public Schools.
February 2011 – AG rules Barresi
broke the law when hiring aides not approved by the State Board of Education.
A-F Grading System
2011 – Barresi and the State Board
create rules for the A-F Grading System,
which goes into effect for the 2012-13
school year.
Fall 2012 – The first A-F report card
is issued, with 138 schools receiving a D
and 10 receiving an F.
November 2013 – Barresi and the
State board change the formula. When
grades are posted on the SDE website,
they continue changing for the next several days as adjustments are made to the
calculation. When the dust settles, 263
schools receive D and 163 receive F.
Researchers at OU and OSU conduct
an in-depth study of the A-F Grading
System and find it worthless. “In our
analyses we found that the single letter
grades reliably told us nothing about
schools. However, they did classify
students arbitrarily and obfuscate very
important subgroup performance.”
The Oklahoma Policy Institute says,
“A-F grades seem nothing more than
a high-stakes accountability system
intended to punish some schools and
reward others.
Testing
Spring 2011 – The third grade reading test is Barresi’s request bill (Oklahoman editorial, March 27, 2011).
Spring 2013 – The SDE RAISES the
cut score for Biology I EOI AFTER students take the test.
April 2013 – Online testing is disrupted multiple times for thousands of
Oklahoma students because of server
4 / The Education Focus
failures by the testing company. Barresi says most of the problems are the
fault of local school districts and rehires
the same testing company with a multimillion dollar contract.
April 2014 – Testing is once again
disrupted by the same testing company’s
computers.
“Children stop learning how to
read and start reading to learn in 4th
grade.”
May 2014 – “Today’s action is a
pathetic and outrageous step back and
returns us to a failed system of social
promotion that has served the education
establishment and little else.” Barresi’s
comment after the legislature overrode
Gov. Fallin’s veto of HB 2625, which allows for a local team of parents, teachers
and administrators to determine if a child
should advance to fourth grade after
scoring unsatisfactory on the third grade
reading test.
“If you don’t test it, it doesn’t
matter.”
Funding
2011 – Barresi strips the National
Board Certification stipend funding.
2012 – Schools don’t need more
money. They need to spend what they
have wiser.
2012 – Barresi sends $10 million to
virtual schools when budget for common
ed is flat.
June 2013 – Barresi refuses to help
November 2013 – In a poll conducted
by the OEA, more than 4,000 parents,
teachers and community members give
Barresi an “F” in every category.
Her response during a county party
meeting, “I’m glad I got an F because it
means I’m doing my job. I’ll be damned
if we’re going to lose another generation
of children in this state to the unions and
the education establishment.”
www.ok.gov/elections
• Find your polling place
• Voter and candidate
information
• See a sample ballot
• Election Results
Important Dates
Deadline to request absentee ballot – 5 p.m. June 18
Early voting – Thursday, June 19, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Friday, June 20, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday, June 21, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Regular voting – Tuesday, June 24, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
For more information: http://www.ok.gov/elections/Voter_Info/Absentee_Voting/
June/July 2014
In the candidate’s own words
What are your thoughts on the trend of lowering certification standards
to address Oklahoma’s teacher shortage – for example, boot camp for special
education certification, secondary certified teachers teaching elementary
grades, and other alternative certification changes?
John Cox (Democrat)
School superintendent; former coach,
middle school teacher.
“I don’t think we should lower our
certification standards to attract more
bodies to fill vacancies. I do believe that
we should be flexible to attract quality
persons to our profession, whether it is
through a quality alternative certification
route or through intensive training using
quality workshops or courses.”
Freda Deskin (Democrat)
Charter school founder, former elementary school teacher.
“I do not agree with lowering certification standards. Boot camps and other
shortcuts are merely Band-Aids on a
broken system. If conditions and pay
were better, we would attract a caliber
of people that welcome high standards
to our profession. These conditions are
only compounded by the fact that they
do not have an advocate in the current State Superintendent.”
Jack Herron (Democrat)
POE Lobbyist; former high school
teacher, principal and superintendent.
“As a former Administrative Assistant for Certification at the University
of Oklahoma, I strongly believe in the
participation of prospective teachers in
an Approved Teacher Preparation program at universities.”
You can find more candidate responses to
OEA survey questions on the Decision 2014 web
page on okea.org. You can also find a link to
the video “Why June Matters” on the Campaign
2014 page in the Members Only section of the
website, okea.org.
June/July 2014 Ivan Holmes (Democrat)
Substitute high school teacher, extensive higher ed experience.
“Lowering standards is not the way
to address Oklahoma’s teacher shortage. I support having highly qualified,
well-trained master teachers in the
classroom.”
Joy Hofmeister (Republican)
Owner of an educational service provider (Kumon), former elementary
school teacher.
“I oppose lowering standards in the
certification of teachers. While I understand that we have a significant teacher
shortage in Oklahoma, we must ensure
that those placed in the classroom with
our children are prepared, properly
trained and well qualified. I am open to
alternative certification, but do not want to rush to certify individuals without providing the appropriate supports to ensure successful outcomes for our students.”
Janet Costello Barresi
(Republican)
State Superintendent, dentist, charter school founder, former speech
pathologist.
“The premise of your question assumes that alternatives to traditional
certification are in some way a lower
standard. I believe we need to continue to develop alternative options
that put quality teachers into the classroom, especially in areas of great need. We have to continue
to encourage those with experience outside education to add
teaching skills to their skill set and bring their expertise to the
classroom.”
Republican candidate Brian Kelly, who filed for office on the
last day of filing, has not responded to the OEA’s request to
complete a candidate survey.
Oklahoma Education Association / 5
End of Session Legislative Analysis
Parent/Teacher partnerships –
this session’s biggest victory
By Amanda Ewing
Associate Executive Director
T
he united voice of parents and educators is growing in number and
in force. We are the voice of our
public schools and our children.
One important difference between this
session and those past is the increase in
partnerships between parents and education professionals. It has developed into
a steadfast alliance: we both want what’s
best for students. After all, a student’s
learning environment is a teacher’s
working environment.
With this session’s “678,000 Reasons”
rally, we collectively created the largest
gathering in our state’s history advocating for a single cause at the Capitol.
Later in the year, parents and teachers
stood side by side advocating fervently
for the veto override of House Bill 2625,
to ensure both groups have a meaningful say in third grade retention decisions.
OEA members and education supporters
communicated daily with legislators and
utilized all communication medians. Our
voice is growing and is more respected
and powerful than ever before.
The continued advocacy of the Oklahoma PTA and this year’s rise to prominence of the Parent Legislative Action
Committee (PLAC) is inspiring. And
whether you love it or hate it, the Restore
Oklahoma Public Education (ROPE)
organization showed that strong grassroots advocacy can result in monumental
policy shifts in the form of the Common
Core Standards repeal bill, HB 3399.
As you spend your summer working on ways to improve the next school
year, keep in mind the strength we saw
in the parent/educator alliance this year.
As you’ll see in the following bill sum-
What’s next?
maries, there is much to celebrate about
our efforts this session, but plenty to look
forward to improving upon in 2015.
Our Top Three Wins
1. HB 3513 – More money for common ed. Despite a massive downturn
in our state budget over the past year,
and most agencies receiving yet another
budget cut, our schools received an increase of $80 million this year. Half of
that will go directly to the State Department of Education to fund increases in
benefit costs, but the remainder will go
to classrooms. Considering the increase
in enrollment it’s not a massive influx of
funding, but it’s an improvement. This
additional appropriation is a direct response to the funding rally.
2. Legislature overrides Fallin’s
veto of HB 2625. The so-called “education reformers” believed their one-sizefits-all approach applied to every third
grade student. Parents and teachers spent
a full week meeting with legislators,
providing hundreds of examples proving
the existing Reading Sufficiency Act was
flawed.
Legislators listened, and with a 3/4
super-majority vote they overrode the
Governor’s veto and ensured the new
law took effect immediately – not only
allowing students to advance to the
fourth grade if they score proficient or
above on any of the other state approved
reading tests taken throughout the school
year, but also allowing more local control, giving parents and teachers a seat at
the table.
3. SB 573 – The defeat of statewide
charter school expansion. Thank goodness, the statewide charter expansion
legislation failed after the education
community united against it! This bill
Before the dust even starts to gather on your classroom desks, OEA is moving
full-speed ahead toward the primary election: our opportunity to enact change in
public education through the ballot box. Get involved! We’ve come too far this year,
and our cause is too important, to allow months to pass without advocating for the
advancement of your profession. For more information contact Lisa Cobb at lcobb@
okea.org, 800/522-8091 or 405/528-7785.
6 / The Education Focus
would have allowed for the creation of
a Charter School Commission under the
Secretary of Education. The Commission
then would have been able to sponsor a
charter school anywhere in the state. Under current law, charter schools are only
allowed in Oklahoma City and Tulsa.
Our Top Three Losses
1. HB 2642 – Funding increase for
common ed. This legislation would
have provided common education with
$600 million additional dollars over the
next decade if a 1 percent growth trigger was met in the Oklahoma economy.
For every $60 million, an additional day
would have been added to the school
year calendar beginning in 2015-16.
Unfortunately, Senator (and 5th District
Congressional candidate) Clark Jolley
(R-Edmond) would not give the bill a
hearing in his appropriation’s committee.
2. HB 2562 and SB 1246 –Unnecessary tax breaks. HB 2562 lowers the tax
rate to 2 percent on all oil and gas wells
for the first three years. Then, the tax rate
increases to 7 percent. To quote Rep.
Morrissette who sums it up best, “Oil
companies aren’t drilling in Oklahoma
because they love the state. They’re doing it because they love the dollar.”
SB 1246 lowers the top income tax
bracket from 5.25 to 4.85 percent (see
the next page for more details). While
the tax break will have little impact on
the average Oklahoman, we will lose
more than $250 million in much needed
state revenue. Worse still, this foreseen
loss of state revenue is likely the reason
HB 2642 (above) was unsuccessful.
3. HB 2414 – The expansion of
vouchers. This legislation makes students who qualify for Sooner Start
(3-year-olds) and are placed under an
IEP eligible for the Lindsey Nicole
Henry Scholarship. The scholarship
will cover private and religious school
expenses, and means that qualifying students may never step into a public school
to determine whether one could meet
their needs, but instead receive state-paid
tuition from K-12.
June/July 2014
Legislative Wins and Losses
Minor curriculum changes; new
state employees lose pensions!
Following are highlights of education bills that passed during
the session and some that didn’t. The full list of all bills is available in the Members Only section of our website, okea.org.
New Education Laws
A-F Scores – SB 1655 (Ford/ Sears) A-F grades will be
given to sites only; no district grades.
Certification – HB 2548 (Nelson/ Crain) Non-English
speaking candidates will be allowed to take competency exams in their native language only if they are to be employed in
a foreign language immersion program.
Certification – HB 2683 (Coody/Sykes)
Anyone holding an elementary or early childhood certification can become mild/moderate
or severe/profound certified by passing competency exams in those areas and completing
the application process.
Common Core – HB 3399 (Nelson/
Brecheen) Repeals common core. Reverts
back to PASS during the 2-4 years anticipated
to adopt new standards and assessments. SBE
must seek certification with the State Regents
that PASS standards meet ESEA College- and
Career- Readiness requirements. SBE must
work with State Regents, State Board of Career and Technology Education, and the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to adopt new
College- and Career- Ready standards by 8/01/16. Beginning
SY 14-15, there will be increased legislative oversight on standard setting process. Prohibits entering into a contract or agreeing to receive funds if it is tied to ceding control over standards
or assessment.
Curriculum – HB 2921 (Billy/Brecheen) Native American
language shall be recognized as an acceptable course to meet
the world language requirement for graduation. While this is
already in practice, this bill makes it statutory.
Curriculum – SB 1422 (Jolley/McNiel) The SBE shall approve an AP computer science course to meet the math requirement if the course is taken in the senior year and student has
completed Algebra II.
Curriculum – SB 1653 (Halligan/Denney) Adds STEM
block courses to list of acceptable math and science graduation
requirements. Optional, eligible to be taken in grades 10-12.
This class would be a refresher for math taken earlier (they may
June/July 2014 not have had Algebra I since 8th grade) instead of taking an upper level math. Intent is to assure readiness for college.
Pension – HB 2630 (R. McDaniel/Brinkley) Creates a defined contribution retirement plan for OPERS employees hired
after 11/1/15. Requires newly elected officials to participate
in the program. Exempts law enforcement employees, District
Attorneys and their employees. SB 2120 (Brinkley/R. McDaniel) is the same, but also exempts county elected officials and
employees of counties, municipalities, conservation districts,
circuit engineering districts, or a public or private trust in
which a county or municipality participates and is the primary
beneficiary.
Pension – HB 2740 (C. McDaniel/Ellis) Adds a member of
a statewide organization representing retired educators to the
board of TRS as a nonvoting member.
Tax Cut – SB 1246 (Bingman/Osborn) Cuts
the top income tax rate from 5.25 percent to
4.85 percent in two phases if growth triggers
are met: The top rate would drop to 5 percent
in 2016 or in whatever year revenue is first
projected to be greater than in FY 2014. Following the first rate cut, the top rate would drop to
4.85 percent in 2018 or whenever revenues are
projected to grow by more than the estimated
revenue loss from the tax cut.
TLE – HB 3173 (Henke/Sharp) and SB
1828 (Ford/Nelson) Requires public bodies to
keep all TLE records confidential that identify
current or former public employees or contain
any evaluation information. TLE data not subject to open records act. SDE has access, but the
information is confidential unless they receive a
written request by employee.
Miscellaneous – HB 2496 (Casey/Ford) Allows for ceremonial guns, knives, bayonets and other weapons on school property for educational programs and assemblies so long as they
are unloaded and rendered inoperable.
Significant Bills That Didn’t Pass
Pay Increase – HB 2636 (Proctor/Echols) In schools with 90
percent or above free and reduced lunch, would have increased
pay 3 percent for teachers staying for five years and another 3
percent for those staying 10 years.
Pay Increase – SB 1944 (Burrage/Sherrer) Would have
changed the minimum salary schedule beginning with step 5,
increasing all steps, but stopping the schedule at step 20 instead
of the current step 25.
(See “Bill requiring charters” on Page 11)
Oklahoma Education Association / 7
Delegates approve
development
of OEA mobile app
S
peeches by five candidates for State Superintendent and
inspiring words by a pair of award winners highlighted
the non-business portion of the Association’s annual Delegate Assembly in late April.
On the business side, a new budget was approved (with no
dues increase) and delegates approved funding the development
of a new mobile application, moving the OEA into a new arena
of communications.
While the candidate speeches gave delegates an early overview of Democrats John Cox, Freda Deskin, Jack Herron and
Ivan Holmes and Republican Joy Hofmiester, other guests were
also inspiring.
After receiving OEA’s Advocate for Academic Freedom
award, Rob Miller, principal of Jenks Middle School, energized
the crowd with his encouraging words. (Watch Miller’s remarks
on OEA’s YouTube channel, youtube.com/oeahq.)
Following are overviews of the New Business Items that carried or were referred to committee.
New Business Item #1 – Moved by Katherine Bishop, OKCB; seconded by Amy Castro-Braun, OKC-A. “I move that the
OEA actively pursue the creation of a mobile app to compliment the OEA website.”
Motion to Amend by Kelly Fry, OKC-D; seconded by Teri
Gray, OKC-D. “I move that the OEA develop an application to
be used on smartphones/iPad/tablets that will allow access to
member services, upcoming events, member benefits, educational, links etc.” Motion carried as amended.
cation Association make recruiting resources available online
that members can use within their locals.” Motion carried.
New Business Item #4 – Moved by Tiffany Rowland, SWB; seconded by Renee Jerden, SW-B. “I move that the Oklahoma Education Association encourage a monthly “wear red
for ed” campaign via social media in an effort to involve ALL
stakeholders in education.” Motion carried.
New Business Item #5 – Moved by Cari Manzer, SW-B;
seconded by Renee Jerden, SW-B. “I move that the Oklahoma
Education Association continue to support a living wage by
educating members about the pressing need to advocate for legislation that raises the minimum wage for all workers to ease the
effects of poverty on our students, their families, and our communities.” Referred to committee.
New Business Item #7 – Moved by Stephanie Bailey, OKCD; seconded by Judy Kula, OKC-D. “I move that OEA work
with the state PTA and PLAC organizations to develop training
and materials for teachers to engage and empower parents to be
involved in their local schools.” Referred to committee.
New Business Item #9 – Moved by Pam Gentry, OKC-D;
seconded by Terrie Keck, SW-C. “I move that OEA develop
a cadre of teachers and support professionals from around the
state to voluntarily communicate with each other and OEA staff
to provide editorial articles and/or rebuttals about educational
issues in local newspapers, online, or other forms of media.”
(See “Delegates approve” on Page 11)
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New Business Item #2 – Moved by Cari Manzer, SW-B;
seconded by Teri Gray, OKC-D. “I move that the Oklahoma
Education Association support making available to local affiliates the media training provided by the communications department of the National Education Association.” Motion carried.
New Business Item #3 – Moved by Seth Meier, SW-B; seconded by Cari Manzer, SW-B. “I move that the Oklahoma Edu-
Delegates show their generosity
Delegates attending the April Delegate Assembly donated
$28,421 to the Fund for Children and Public Education. Following are totals by Region:
Oklahoma City Metro – $7,569
Northeast – $3,178
Northwest – $3,812
Southeast – $2,141
Southwest – $3,522
Tulsa Metro – $8,199
8 / The Education Focus
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June/July 2014
From Your Counsel
Changes delay implementation
Full TLE will
become effective
in 2015-16
By Richard Wilkinson
OEA General Counsel
T
he Oklahoma Legislature passed
SB 2033 in 2010, which created the Oklahoma Teacher and
Leader Effectiveness Evaluation (TLE)
system for Oklahoma schools. The new
evaluation system creates a five-tier
rating system (superior, highly effective, effective, needs improvement, and
ineffective) along with quantitative and
qualitative assessment components.
The quantitative components require
that 35 percent of the assessment be
based upon student academic growth
using multiple years of standardized
test data and 15 percent of the assessment be based upon other academic
measures (OAMs). The remaining 50
percent of the evaluation is based upon
rigorous and fair qualitative assessment components.
The TLE was originally required
to be adopted by the State Board of
Education by December 15, 2011,
and local boards of education were required to adopt an evaluation system
containing the new minimum TLE criteria no later than the 2013-14 school
year. As many of you are aware, the
original deadlines for the development and adoption of the TLE have
been delayed by various legislative
enactments since the original passage
of SB 2033. Currently, full implementation of both the quantitative and
qualitative components of the TLE is
required in all school districts by the
2015-16 school year.
The purpose of the delays was to
allow for the testing of the qualitative
June/July 2014
components of the new TLE system on
a trial basis during the 2012-13 school
year and the full implementation of the
qualitative components of the TLE for
the 2013-14 school year. Beginning
with the 2014-15 school year, school
districts are required to incorporate
the student academic growth and other
academic measurement quantitative
components of the TLE into evaluations for the purpose of establishing
baseline data, with 100 percent of
the evaluation rating for the 2014-15
school year based only on the qualitaRichard Wilkinson
tive components of the TLE. However,
school districts with an average daily
of the TLE. So, career teachers are still
attendance greater than 35,000 may
defined as a teacher who has completed
incorporate the quantitative model
three or more consecutive, complete
of the TLE and base up to 50 perschool years under a written continuing
cent of the evaluation rating upon
or temporary teaching contract until the
the quantitative components of the
full implementation of the TLE – curTLE for the 2014-15 school year.
rently scheduled for the 2015-16 school
For evaluations conducted during
year. Similarly, the definitional changes
the 2015-16
for probationary
school year
The change in the definition of a teachers will
and each
probationary and a career teacher also not become
year thereeffective until
contained in SB 2033 does not
after, school
the full impledistricts
become effective until the “full
mentation of the
shall fully
TLE system of
implementation”
of
the
TLE.
implement
evaluation.
the TLE
The implementation of the TLE
and incorporate and put into operahas obviously taken longer than antion both the qualitative components
ticipated – however, current deadlines
of the TLE and the student growth and
require full implementation of both
other academic measurement quantitathe quantitative and qualitative comtive components of the TLE. For the
ponents of the TLE for the 2015-16
2015-16 school year and each year
school year. If you have questions
thereafter, 50 percent of the evaluation
regarding the implementation of the
rating shall be based on the qualitative
TLE system in your school district,
components of the TLE and 50 percent
you can contact your OEA Regional
of the evaluation rating shall be based
Advocacy UniServ Specialist for adon the quantitative components of the
ditional information.
TLE.
The change in the definition of a
probationary and a career teacher contained in SB 2033 also do not become
effective until the “full implementation”
“
”
Oklahoma Education Association / 9
2014 OEA Award Winners
Marshall Gregory Awards
Student Broadcast Categories
News Stories
Award of Excellence – “Storm Shelters,” Evan Ryder & Cordell Patterson,
Norman HS
Series
Award of Excellence – “Importance
of Art in Education,” McKenzie Everett,
Chouteau HS
Mikaleh Offerman, Edmond Mem. HS
“Substitute Teachers Needed for All
Ages,” Bailey Sullivan, Chouteau HS
Professional Broadcast Division
Year-Round Coverage
Award of Excellence – “What’s Right
With Our Schools,” Joe Kozlowski,
Justin Kracht, Meg Alexander, KFOR
Feature Stories
Award of Excellence – “The Flu,”
Ricarda Urso, Norman HS
Award of Merit – “AP Art,” Evan
Ryder & Cordell Patterson, Norman HS
Editorials
Award of Excellence – “Limited
Funding for Schools,” Lauren Chattos,
Edmond Memorial HS
Award of Merit – “Caution: Not Every
Student Has a Smartphone,” Mikaleh
Offerman, Edmond Memorial HS
Television Series
Award of Excellence – “Class Projects,” Colton Clark, Elle Custer, Ian
Murray, Sam Pender and Colton Wallace, Norman North HS
Award of Merit – “The Arts,” Emily
Baker, Reagan Hayes, Sadaf Imani, and
Fernanda Zapien, Norman North HS
News
Award of Excellence – “EMHS Receives Good Grade,” Ben Hunt, Edmond
Memorial HS
Awards of Merit – “2013 School Year
Brings New Learning Opportunities,”
Year-Round Coverage
Award of Excellence – Timberwolf
Tracks, Norman North HS
Exceptional Internal Communications
Student Print Categories
Photojournalism
Award of Excellence – “#5 Cemetery
Picture,” Cheyenne Morgan, Chouteau HS
Award of Merit – “Senior Michal
Ford Searches,” Rachel Weatherman,
Chouteau HS
Feature Stories
Award of Excellence – “High School
Students Share Importance of Reading,”
Bailey Sullivan, Chouteau HS
Award of Merit – “Retired Teacher
Shares Memories,” Rebecca Walsh,
Chouteau HS
Special Publications
Award of Excellence – “Celebrate
Education,” The Pride, Chouteau HS,
Bailey Sullivan, editor
Year-Round Coverage
Award of Excellence – Chandler
White, Edmond Memorial HS
Award of Merit – Aaron
VanSteinberg, Edmond Memorial HS
10 / The Education Focus
Professional Print Division
News Story
Award of Excellence – “A-F Ratings
Released,” Ryan Horton, Choctaw Times
Series
Award of Merit – “Bond Election
Series,” Choctaw Times
Year-Round Coverage
Award of Merit – Choctaw Times
2014 Golden Apple Winners
Print Brochures – Contact Information Guide, Professional Educators of Norman
E-Communications – “Did You Know?” Professional Educators of Norman
Special Communications – PEAL in Action, Professional Educators’ Association of
Lawton
Newsletters – EEA Advocate, Communications Committee, Enid Education
Association
Website – PEN Website, Professional Educators of Norman
Exceptional External Communications
Op-Ed – Pension Op-Ed, Cari Manzer, Professional Educators of Norman
News Article – “Read Across America,” Judy Allen, Bartlesville Education Association
Special Communications – AEW Poster Contest, Enid Education Association
5 Star Local Program Honorees
The OEA 5 Star Local Program was developed to strengthen local association programs
and to recognize locals for their efforts in the various program areas of Advocacy,
Communications, Legislative and Political Organizing, Organizational Development,
and Teaching and Learning. The following locals each earned all five stars.
• Bartlesville Education Association
• Enid Education Association
• Professional Educators’ Association of Lawton
• Professional Educators of Norman
• McLoud Association of Classroom Teachers
• Mustang Education Association
• Piedmont Education Association
• Putnam City Association of Classroom Teachers
June/July 2014
Delegates approve budget, legislative goals
(Continued from Page 8)
Referred to committee.
New Business Item #11 – Moved
by Chelia Armour, NW-A; seconded by
Matt Holtzen, NW-A. “I move that the
Oklahoma Education Association support making available mentor training
to local associations to develop and to
grow the association’s membership.”
Motion carried.
New Business Item #12 – Moved
by Amanda Clements, TM-A/B; Julie
Reagle, TM-A/B. “I move that OEA
make its best efforts to make available
clips from annual delegate assemblies for
members to distribute to increase community support for public education.”
Motion carried.
New Business Item #14 – Moved by
Lori Burris, OKC-D; seconded by Patti
Ferguson-Palmer, TM-A/B. “I move that
the OEA Delegate Assembly take a position of support for the candidacy of Greg
Johnson for NEA Secretary-Treasurer.”
Motion carried.
Budget – Moved by Alicia Priest,
Vice President, Budget Committee
Chair; seconded by Budget Committee.
“I move the 2014-15 Budget.”
Motion to amend by Kelly Fry,
OKC-D; seconded by Judy Kula, OKCD. “I move to amend the 2014-2015
Budget as follows: to increase the state
dues annually by $1.00 for the period of
one year to be used for the costs associated with the development and implementation of an app as passed in new
business item #1.” Amendment failed;
original motion carried.
Photo by Doug Folks
2015 Legislative Goals – Moved
by Rene Allen, Legislative Committee
chair, OKC-B; seconded by the Legislative Committee. (Find the approved
goals in the Members Only section of the
OEA website.)
Final Credentials Report – 224 delegates, 27 guests.
Amanda Clements and Julie Reagle, both from Tulsa CTA, move New Business Item
#12 during Delegate Assembly.
Bill requiring charters to implement TLE fails
(Continued from Page 7)
EOI – HB 3170 (Blackwell/Marlatt)
After a student scores proficient on Algebra I, Biology I, English II and one other
EOI, they are exempt from taking any
others. A student who meets the SBE-set
cut score on any alternate exam approved
by the SBE must only pass the three
mandatory EOIs.
Charters – HB 2582 (Thomsen/
Stanislawski) Would have required charter schools to implement TLE, define
probationary and career teachers and
implement policies for dismissal while
limiting teacher due process
Testing – HB 2922 (Coody/Fields)
Would have set June 1 deadline to get
June/July 2014
test scores back or no consequences for
failing (RSA/EOI).
Testing – SB 1654 (Ford/Casey)
Would have required only federally mandates tests for grades 3-8.
Testing – HB 2492 (Billy/Paddack)
Would have prevented cut scores to be
set in the same year assessments are
given.
RSA – SB 1971 (Jolley/Nelson)
Would have removed previous retention
requirement for IEP students for the
good cause exemptions.
Vouchers – HB 3398 (Nelson)
Would have allowed any parent to remove their child from public schools
and receive 80 percent of their per pupil
funding amount to go toward educational services (e.g., private school tuition,
tutoring, curriculum materials, extracurricular activities, etc.)
Pension Consolidation – SB 2119
(Standridge/Turner) Would have consolidated the boards and administration
of Teachers’ Retirement System and the
Oklahoma Public Employee Retirement
System (public employees) retirement
boards.
Storm Shelters – HJR 1078 (Dorman) Would have required the state to issue bonds to districts for the sole purpose
of building storm shelters, using access
to the Franchise Tax Fund.
Oklahoma Education Association / 11
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