The Journal Record
By Sean Murphy, Associated Press
Posted: 08:44 PM Wednesday, September 29, 2010
(AP) – A look at commercials for and against State Question 744, which would direct Oklahoma to raise per-pupil funding to a regional average.
Yes on 744 commercial
Title: “Forward.”
Length: 32 seconds.
Airing: Began airing last week in Tulsa and Oklahoma City markets.
Paid for by: Yes on 744, a coalition that includes the Oklahoma Education Association and National Education Association.
Script: Announcer – “When it comes to Oklahoma schools, our kids are at the back of the line.
“We rank 49th in the country in per-pupil spending; 48th in teacher pay.
“It’s no wonder our reading scores have fallen over the past 10 years.
“But passing State Question 744 can change all that; 744 will help Oklahoma reduce class sizes, recruit and retain great teachers and improve our student test scores.
“Vote yes on 744 so we can move our schools, and our kids, forward.”
Key visuals: Line of schoolchildren representing each of the 50 states, ranked by per-pupil spending and teacher pay – with forlorn children depicting Oklahoma shown near the back. Children brighten up when the script turns to passing SQ 744; the expressionless girl from the start of the ad is all smiles as she steps ahead of top-ranked New Jersey, but she still has a “Oklahoma 49” tag around her neck.
Analysis: SQ 744 would raise per-pupil spending to a regional average based on six surrounding states: Missouri, Texas, Kansas, Arkansas, Colorado and New Mexico. Its backers say additional money will help Oklahoma attract and keep better teachers and that, in turn, academic performance will improve.
But the proposal does not direct Oklahoma to hire more teachers or give current teachers additional money, only stipulating that Oklahoma spend more on day-to-day operations of schools and school districts.
By itself, SQ 744 does not raise taxes. As an amendment to the state Constitution, it would require the Legislature within three years to ensure Oklahoma meets the regional average of per-pupil expenditures. That figure currently is $9,147, higher than Oklahoma’s funding level of $7,683, according to an analysis of fiscal year 2008 per-pupil spending by the National Center for Education Statistics. The Oklahoma Policy Institute, which projects the regional average will increase annually, estimates the state would have to raise $1.7 billion over the next three years to comply. SQ 744 supporters say that estimate is high.
The ad correctly states that Oklahoma ranks 49th in per-pupil expenditures and 48th in teacher pay, according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics and the National Education Association, respectively.
The girl taking her place at the head of the line implies that Oklahoma would lead the nation in per-pupil spending if SQ 744 passes. That is incorrect... FULL ARTICLE
Posted on
Wed, September 29, 2010
by Crystal Drwenski