The Oklahoma State Board of Education wants more tax money.

The board approved a Fiscal Year 2021 budget request of $3.29 billion for common education (kindergarten through 12th grade), which includes an increase of nearly $220 million over last year.

This year’s request includes an increase of $117.9 million to the state funding formula, to be used to hire additional teachers to reduce class sizes. Rising health insurance benefit costs for school teachers and staff account for an additional $32.8 million.

The budget request also includes $19 million for a School Counselor Corps  due to the state’s high student-to-counselor ratio, which, at 421-to-1. The American School Counseling Association recommends 250-to-1.

The FY21 budget request also includes an additional $42.6 million for Support of Students and Teachers, a line item that directly impacts classroom programs and investments.

Oklahoma mothers over the years have participated in The Oklahoma Toddler Survey (TOTS) through the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH).

This year, TOTS celebrates 25 years of existence.

TOTS is an ongoing, statewide survey that collects information on the health experiences of Oklahoma’s toddlers. It is a two-year follow up to the Oklahoma Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS). TOTS surveys the mothers who responded to PRAMS when their child turns 2 years of age. Oklahoma was the first state to begin a follow-up survey to PRAMS; currently only four other states have something similar. 

“The purpose of TOTS is to provide a better picture of what affects the health of young children in Oklahoma,” said Ayesha Lampkins, Oklahoma’s TOTS project manager.

On a monthly basis, TOTS sends surveys to between 150 to 175 mothers who previously answered the PRAMS survey, which is sent to new mothers randomly selected from Oklahoma birth certificates. Mothers are sent mail questionnaires with follow-up phone interviews for women who do not respond to the mailed surveys.

Rebekah Rodriguez, TOTS data manager, echoes the importance of mothers completing the survey.

“Our goal is that all mothers and their young children thrive and benefit from having their experiences heard,” said Rodriguez. “The TOTS process gives Oklahoma mothers a space and an opportunity to have a voice about issues affecting them, their children, and their families. TOTS has touched the lives of thousands of women since it began in 1994.”

The survey currently collects information on topics such as family structure, child care, safety, nutrition, social supports and stressors, second-hand smoke exposure, and maternal depression. For more information, visit TOTS.health.ok.gov.

The budget is voted on by the Oklahoma Legislature and approved by the governor.