After the apparent stalemate of the Senate and House education plans, with no resolution being in sight, other parties are putting up their ideas for education.

The Democrats of the Oklahoma House and Senate have submitted a plan for consideration as well as Governor Stitt.

Democratic leaders in both chambers say there is a better way to fund education and it starts with collaboration.

“Our Senators and Representatives can come together to create a plan that meets families where their children are—in public schools,” House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City said.

“Ninety-five percent of parents in Oklahoma choose public schools, so that’s where we want to invest,” Senate Minority Leader Kay Floyd said.

The Oklahoma Kids First Plan calls for $800 million to spend on public school students including:

Smaller class sizes: Research shows that kids in smaller class sizes perform better on all assessments.

Clean Teacher Pay Raises: Oklahoma teachers are leaving the classroom because of low pay and few resources. A significant pay raise—up to $12,000—would be a game changer for our teachers and they would choose to stay. Research shows that a highly qualified teacher is the most important factor for student success in the classroom.

Wrap-around Supports: We know that things outside the classroom impact student learning. Our plan calls for more mental health counselors to be integrated into classrooms across Oklahoma and for increased school safety.

“We have the funding to really improve public education in Oklahoma. We want to put Oklahoma’s kids first, not adult egos or pet projects for the wealthy elite,” said Assistant House Minority Leader Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa.

Governor Stitt revealed his plan, the Oklahoma Education and Parental Choice Plan, after weeks of meetings with House and Senate leadership, Speaker Charles McCall, Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat, and members of both chambers.

“After months of negotiations and meetings with both the House and the Senate, I am proud to present this plan and believe it is the best path forward to get education reform done this year,” said Governor Stitt. “Oklahomans elected us as leaders to come together and get something done to improve education for every student in the state of Oklahoma and provide parents options. This plan does just that. I am calling on the House and Senate to come together and get this across the finish line. Parents can’t wait another year for real reform. Let’s take another step forward to fund students, not just systems in Oklahoma.”

Governor Stitt’s Education and Parental Choice Plan calls for investing a total of $800 million in education, allocated in three main parts:

• $300 million to the Oklahoma Student Fund;
• $300 million into the funding formula, including Senator Adam Pugh’s Teacher Pay Raise plan, and;
• $200 million for the Oklahoma Parental Choice tax credit model for parents to send their child to a school that best fits their unique needs.

The Oklahoma Student Fund would be available to every school district in the state. Each district will receive up to $2 million to improve their local schools as they see fit.

Senator Pugh’s Teacher Pay Raise plan includes a raise for teachers beginning at $2,000 and up to $5,000. The plan also incorporates new, improved weights for individual students to better ensure dollars are on target to provide the best education possible.

The Oklahoma Parental Choice tax credit model would be $5,000 per student, prioritizing households earning under $250,000 annually, with a cap of $200 million total spend for Year One. The amount available would be increased to $6,000 per student with a cap of $200 million total spend for Year Two. Starting in Year Three, the amount available would increase to $6,500 per student, with no income cap and no cap on total spend.

Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, released the following statement in reaction to the unveiling of Gov. Kevin Stitt’s education proposal, the Oklahoma Education and Parental Choice Plan:

“The House is in the process of reviewing the Governor’s proposed education plan and will continue discussions both internally and with our colleagues in the Senate.

Upon initial review, the plan looks like a positive step in the right direction for education in Oklahoma.

As negotiations progress over the coming days, the House will continue to focus on passing an education plan that works for every student, every parent, every teacher and every school in the state.

I want to thank Governor Stitt for his work during education negotiations and I look forward to further conversations with both him and Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat as we continue to chart a course for the future of education in Oklahoma.”

Senate pro tem, Greg Treat commented in general that he is hopeful to find a path forward on education. That April is usually a contentious month, but that in May, the Legislature settles down and things are accomplished.

Both the Oklahoma Senate and House must pass the same education bill which would then become law once the Governor signs it.  The end of the regular session is May 26.