Oklahoma House Holds School Rules
The House Administrative Rules Committee on Monday did an unusual thing. Passing House Joint Resolution 1059 approving all the new rules submitted by six state agencies, which they did, was not an unusual thing. Separating one agency’s rule proposals for individual consideration? That was different.
Agency rules have to be approved by the Legislature and the governor. The set submitted by the Oklahoma Department of Education was a controversy magnet, though, drawing criticism from Democrats and Republicans alike when the agency approved them unanimously in February.
Days later, the Legislature advanced bills that would curtail the board’s authority in areas addressed in the new rules, including accreditation powers.
The rules the House wants extra time to consider include tying school accreditation to test performance, establishing new teacher behavior policies, prohibiting diversity, equity and inclusion programs, mandating a minute of silence every day to allow for voluntary prayer, and changing its relationship with longtime training providers.
More worth reading:
Court Agrees to Slow Execution Pace
The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals has decided future executions will be set 90 days apart unless circumstances dictate modification. [The Oklahoman]
Epic Hearing Further Delayed
The conclusion of an already delayed court hearing for Epic Charter School’s co-founders will be postponed even further because of a last-minute demand that one of the defense attorneys be disqualified from questioning a star witness. [Oklahoma Voice]
AG, SDE Sue Over Title IX Changes
Oklahoma’s attorney general and state Department of Education each sued the Biden administration over new Title IX rules protecting gender identity in schools. [The Oklahoman]
The 3,944-foot William H. Murray Bridge, better known as the Pony Bridge, is part of Route 66 in Geary and can be seen in the 1939 film, “The Grapes of Wrath.”
Ciao for now,
Ted Streuli
Executive Director, Oklahoma Watch
tstreuli@oklahomawatch.org
