The Oklahoman Editorial, NewsOK
Published: October 24, 2010
OKLAHOMA children deserve better than what they're getting from our state's public education system. But that's not what State Question 744 is really about. It's about money.
SQ 744 would reform education funding but not for the better. It would base common education funding on the level of education spending in six other states: Colorado, Arkansas, Kansas, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.
Proponents like to throw around the term "regional average" to seemingly ease the financial blow. But here's the truth about that proposal. Estimates of the cost range from nearly $1 billion to about $1.7 billion annually after a three-year phase-in period. It also would give away the right of Oklahoma's elected representatives to decide budget priorities. Lawmakers and possibly judges in those other states instead would control Oklahoma's purse strings. And 744 wouldn't allow Oklahoma to spend less on common education than it did the year before even if education spending falls in the other states. That's a pretty good sign this measure isn't about quality education or real reform. It's about money. History tells us as much... FULL ARTICLE
Posted on
Sun, October 24, 2010
by Crystal Drwenski