EDMOND —
The House of Representatives recently approved an important education reform measure that I believe could have a significant impact on education in Logan County. House Bill 2753 is sponsored by Rep. Lee Denney, who represents part of eastern Logan County, including the town of Langston. Her legislation would enable Langston to play host to a charter school.
Currently, state law limits the establishment of charter schools to Oklahoma and Tulsa counties where the constituents are ill-served by failing school districts. In the past, I have written about the importance of providing these individuals with relief and enabling their children to experience the opportunity of a quality education. However, it is important to realize that there are other areas of the state that are in significant need of education alternatives and school choice. One of these areas is the Logan County community of Langston where Rep. Denney, R-Cushing, has heard from her Langston constituency about the need for a charter school in the town.
This proposal would have several exciting potential applications. A Langston charter school would not only return a common education opportunity to the town of Langston, but this school also could be integrated with Langston University. Students participating in the charter school could progress through a system that prepared them for and provided them with a seamless integration into the college experience.
In other words, students would be expected not just to complete 12 grades of common education schooling, but 16 grades of common and higher education schooling. This education strategy would match that which is implemented in the highly successful KIPP charter school system about which I have written in the past. This integration with the college environment also could provide Langston college students with the opportunity to practice teaching in an on-campus environment where they could receive real-world teaching experience.
One of the most exciting aspects surrounding the passage of House Bill 2753 was the margin by which it passed the Legislature. The bill received a bipartisan composition of 63 votes. In 2007, legislation expanding charter schools received 51 votes and was approved by just one vote. I believe this expanding margin of support has been made possible by the many success stories the charter school environment has produced during the past few years. It is becoming harder and harder for defenders of the status quo to demonize change.
If House Bill 2753 is approved, I hope the Langston community will take advantage of this reform to enable better education opportunities for Logan County residents.
REP. JASON MURPHEY, R-Guthrie, represents House District 31, which encompasses all of Logan County and a portion of northern Edmond. He may be reached via e-mail at jason.murphey@okhouse.gov.
Opinion
Expanding charter schools to Logan County
- Opinion
-
-
Aerospace tax credits ensure viability of industry
April 15, 1953. Tax day again. It also marked the last time the U.S. lost a soldier from an enemy air attack.
-
Tax outrage stems from moral distaste
A study published this week in the journal Symbolic Interaction revisits the relationship between taxation and morality.
-
Suddenly, Asperger’s Syndrome is cured
My 11-year-old grandson just took his first trip off the diving board.
-
Book recalls Anastasia's story
In February of 1916 a young woman was pulled from the icy waters of a canal in Berlin, Germany.
-
iRead, you read, we all win
I’m thrilled to be able to announce the Oklahoma State Department of Education’s iRead initiative. Check out our iRead page on our website, http://ok.gov/sde/newsblogs/iRead.
With iRead, our goal is to ensure literacy for all Oklahomans from birth to 12th grade. Literacy is more than just reading. Being literate encompasses listening, speaking, reading, and writing — really all of communication. -
Growth revenue should go back to taxpayers
Over the next few days, the Legislature will consider a proposal to reduce Oklahoma’s income tax.
-
Thunder Up for Oklahoma
The Thunder basketball team has a big impact on the state of Oklahoma. Not just because we are excelling in the NBA playoffs.
-
Growth revenue should go back to taxpayers
Over the next few days, the Legislature will consider a proposal to reduce Oklahoma’s income tax. This year, Oklahoma state government will have more than $200 million of new growth revenue to spend. I believe it is vital for this revenue to go back to the taxpayers who overfinanced state government. This is important, because if the money is not returned, it will almost certainly be used to grow the size of government.
-
Tax cuts don’t make the grade
When is not big enough also too big?
-
Tax plan means keeping more of what you earn
The discussion about cutting Oklahoma’s income tax started before the legislative session.
- More Opinion Headlines
-
Aerospace tax credits ensure viability of industry
