Senate Bill 36 is a proposed legislation in Oklahoma that would permit chaplains to become counselors in public schools. The role of a school counselor is considered a professional position, and those who wish to pursue it must go through a rigorous certification process to ensure they possess the necessary qualifications to serve effectively. However, SB 36 would allow chaplains to serve in this professional role without having to undergo this certification process.

David Blatt, Ph.D., The Director of Research & Strategic Impact at OK Appleseed discusses which education bills to watch for in this year’s legislative session, as well as their progress and impact on Oklahoma’s educational system.

A new brief from Advance Oklahoma’s Kids (AOK) - surveys the educational landscape in Oklahoma and finds a full menu of public and private school options available alongside traditional neighborhood schools. The informational brief is meant to help parents, policymakers, and advocates better understand the varieties of school choice and how they are administered and governed.

The OICA fall forum is an annual four-day event in Oklahoma City. Caressa Bossa, from OK Appleseed, details her experience at the forum that focuses on child advocacy in Oklahoma.

With cooperation with the Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, Dr. Reynolds explains how he got rid of corporal punishment at Woodward Public Schools by implementing research-based, proven strategies to improve student behavior. During Dr. Reynold’s time at Woodward Public Schools, they partnered with a local agency to provide an alternative for exclusionary discipline (i.e., suspensions) and help troubled students find better ways to behave, cope, and regulate their emotions.

Oklahoma taxpayers will be allocating $150 million - $250 million every year to fund private schools that are not subject to the same rules and expectations as public schools.

Dr. David Blatt with Oklahoma Appleseed explains the concerns with the way the parental tax credit law - HB 1934 (Oklahoma private school tax vouchers) is written and the proposed rules that will implement the law.

Do Oklahomans still want and believe in public education?

Tulsa attorney Colleen McCarty and founding executive director of Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law and Justice talks about public education in Oklahoma, and the need for it.

Today we are hosting guest blog author Dr. Chris Culver, Ed.D.