OKLAHOMA CITY — State Senator Clark Jolley got the message.
And he agreed with his critics.
Following an outcry by social studies and civics teachers across the state, Jolley, R-Edmond, said this week he replaced language in Senate Bill 1111 which had eliminated civics and social studies testing for students in the fifth and eighth grades.
“I think the civics and the social studies teachers had a very valid concern,” Jolley said. “They said eliminating the fifth and eighth grade testing component made the bill about something other than transparency and accountability. And, after reflection, I think they were right.”
A previous version of SB 1111 had drawn the ire of officials with the Oklahoma Council for History Education and representatives of the Oklahoma Council for the Social Studies. Both groups said Senate Bill 1111 would “negatively affect the quality of citizenship education in Oklahoma.”
Wednesday, Jolley said he changed his bill.
“An early version removed the testing, as it was not required by the federal No Child Left Behind law, but after hearing from concerned educators, I authored an amendment to leave those tests in place,” Jolley said in a media release. “The tests were restored.”
He said the primary goal of the bill was to restructure the state Office of Accountability, changing it into the Educational Quality and Accountability Office.
“There is a problem nationwide with states being forthcoming about student achievement, because those achievement levels can directly impact public office holders,” he said. “By moving testing oversight to an impartial third party, we can get objective numbers and begin to enact reforms that will truly improve student achievement.”
Jolley said the testing component originally was removed because of complaints by schoolteachers and other education officials.
“I’ve heard nothing but complaints that we were just testing too much,” he said. “Many teachers told me they were not able to spend much time in the classroom. And many said it was a huge problem for many school counselors who wound up being test administrators.”
To address that issue, Jolley said he asked the Senate’s staff to find out which tests the state didn’t have to offer. He said staffers told him testing wasn’t required for fifth and eight grade civics and social studies.
Wednesday, Jolley’s amendment drew praised from the Oklahoma Council for the Social Studies.
“We’re very pleased that the language had been restored,” said Matthew Holtzen, a spokesman for the OCSS. “It’s great to see the state Senate support the social studies.”
Holtzen said the group “appreciated” being able to work with members of the Legislature.
“It’s great that the process worked and we could express our concerns,” he said. “It’s great that they listened.”
Senate Bill 1111 passed the state Senate by a 26-20 vote late Tuesday. The measure is now headed to the House of Representatives where it could get a hearing as early as next week.
Local News
Jolley restores testing component to education bill
- Local News
-
-
Commissioners: Future of Cleveland County Jail uncertain
With the opening of the new F. DeWayne Beggs Detention Center, the county is working to determine the fate of the correctional department’s previous facility.
-
Moore schools foundation receives donation from Landmark Fine Homes
The Moore Public Schools Foundation is pleased to announce it has received the largest, private financial donation in its 17-year history.
-
Former Norman Mayor seeks Senate District 15 seat
Norman resident and local physician Harold Haralson announced today that he is running for the Republican nomination for State Senate District 15.
-
Farmers should focus on fertility
For area farmers, one of this year’s biggest concerns lurks underground, and it’s not grubworms. Rather, said one local extension educator, it’s the soil’s nutrients – they’re overwhelming.
-
Voter registration deadline nears
Friday is the last day for Cleveland County residents to register to be eligible to vote in the Presidential Preferential Primary Election and the City of Moore Primary Election. Those elections are scheduled for March 6.
-
Western Avenue closing announced
Moore residents wanting to travel to Norman via Western Avenue will be taking detours over the next seven months.
-
Military briefs
Air Force Airman Alonda R. Anderson graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. Anderson is the niece of Carol Amos of Moore, Okla. She is a 2010 graduate of Moore High School.
-
Expressing love with flowers
When you speak of love and happily-ever-after, most of us envision Cinderella and Prince Charming and its easy to smile with pleasure as we picture him placing the glass slipper on her foot and the royal wedding that follows.
-
Chamber ribbon cutting
Jan. 24: A New Beginning Florist, 527 SW 4th St.
-
Business women plan fundraiser
Central Oklahoma Business Women of Norman plans “A Night of Amore” this weekend. This year’s annual fundraiser will be a special Valentine’s dinner at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at Benvenuti’s Ristorante.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Commissioners: Future of Cleveland County Jail uncertain
