See ‘The Cartel’ Documentary TONIGHT for Free

The Cartel is an award-winning documentary about the problems in America's educational system. It's received rave reviews nationwide from proponents of excellence in education. You're cordially invited to view a screening of this important documentary tonight, hosted by our good friends with Americans for Prosperity.

Date: Tuesday, Jan. 25
Time:  6 p.m.
Place: Oklahoma Christian University (Davisson American Heritage Building – Auditorium)
2501 E. Memorial Road
Edmond, OK 73013

Viewing the documentary is free, but you must pre-register. To pre-register, please click here.

Governor Signs Scholarship Bill

Supporters praised Gov. Brad Henry for signing a bill yesterday 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.”

HB 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 HB 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. HB 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.”

Special Needs Scholarship Bill Heads to Gov. Henry

Yesterday, for the first time ever in Oklahoma, the state Senate approved HB 3393, a bill by Rep. Jason Nelson (R-Oklahoma City), which provides private-school scholarships for special needs students with disabilities. The vote in the Senate was 25-22.

The bill now goes to Gov. Brad Henry, and hopeful school choice proponents are anticipating that he will sign it into law.

For more information, click this link to a story on CapitolBeatOK.

Coffee Seeks to Expand Charter Schools in Oklahoma

Several years ago, Sen. Penny Williams (D-Tulsa) authored the first bill to legalize charter schools in Oklahoma. As you know, charter schools are publicly financed government schools, which by law are freed from some of the mandates, bureaucracy, and collective bargining that are a part of what's normal at most other public schools. Charter schools, unlike other public schools, also have the freedom to define for themselves and their students a more targeted curriculum. They can, for example, focus their teaching on math and science ... or music ... or history ... or core knowledge ... or college preparatory ... or performing arts ... or helping at-risk students, etc. — whatever their educational charter authorizes.

Today, numerous charter schools exist statewide, although Oklahoma's charter school law has never been as as favorable to the growth of these cutting-edge, publicly popular schools as were the laws in, e.g., the states of Arizona or Arkansas. That may be changing.

Sen. Glenn Coffee (R-Oklahoma City), the Senate's president Pro Tempore, has announced that he will introduce legislation in 2010 to expand the state's charter school law and to make it legally possible for mayors in the state's two largest cities, Oklahoma City and Tulsa, to authorize new charter schools, as well. Currently, elected school boards must approve a new school's charter before a charter school can begin its operations. Coffee's bill would open up the process a bit by vesting mayors with this authority, too.

OFPC generally believes that charter schools are good for education, good for the children and parents they serve, and we commend Sen. Coffee for his willingness to help Oklahoma's children have more educational choices available to them through an expansion of current statutory law regarding charter schools in Oklahoma.