Senate Review by Senator J.J. Dossett (Feb. 12)

Without a doubt, the biggest issue at the Capitol right now is the budget, and the fact that the shortfall we’re facing now projected to be $1.3 billion. For a state this size that’s already made so many cuts in recent years and left many of areas of government, including our schools, without the resources really needed, it’s staggering to think what the impact of a shortfall that size could mean—especially if we don’t find ways to at least partially reduce that budget hole by the end of session. Those efforts will dominate the 2016 session.

But that doesn’t mean there are important policy decisions we can’t address—things that can make a positive difference for Oklahomans and save the state a little money as well.

As someone who walked straight from the classroom into the statehouse, I know there are things we can do this session to help teachers do a better job teaching and help students do a better job learning. We need to get rid of the End of Instruction (EOI) tests mandated by the state.

Tests have always been used as a way to make sure students are learning what they’re being taught. Traditionally, they might have taken tests at the end of a chapter of a text book. They might have taken six or nine week exams to make sure they were retaining the material and then again at the end of each semester. But in the past few years, more and more tests have been mandated, both at the state and national levels, not just as a way for measuring an individual student’s mastery of material, but with the idea that these tests would hold schools accountable for those achievement levels.

So many tests have been added, that parents, students and teachers are saying enough is enough. Instead of being able to really focus on helping students understand and master the classes they’re required to take, teachers are under tremendous pressure to focus constantly on preparing students for tests. Instead of improving education, these federal and state-mandated exams are making it harder for teachers to teach, and harder for students to learn.

I think we should do everything in our power to eliminate unnecessary testing and let our schools focus on teaching our children. Another problem is these mandated tests are expensive. Eliminating them saves the state money—something we really need to do right now.

Under current Oklahoma law, students must pass 4 out of 7 EOI’s in order to graduate, even if they have passed the classes required to get their diplomas. I filed legislation this session to end the EOI mandate. There are similar bills that were introduced last year that are already about halfway through the legislative process and are still viable this session.

I’m really not concerned whether we accomplish ending these unnecessary tests with my bill or someone else’s—I am more than willing to do whatever I can to help get one of these measures all the way to the governor’s desk for her signature.

I welcome your comments on state government and the issues before us. Please feel free to contact me by writing to Senator J.J. Dossett at the State Capitol, Room 521-A, Oklahoma City, OK, 73105; call me at (405) 521-5566.

Oklahoma State Senate
Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105

March 7 from 3-4 pm - Teen Tech Month - Tim Smith from the Librarium will bring the TCCL’s 3-D printer for a demonstration.

March 9 from 3-4:30 pm - Sukikyo! Anime Club - Meet up with other manga and anime fans to discuss your favorite books, movies, characters, and plot twists. For ages 12-18.

March 16 from 3-4 pm - PAWS for Reading - Registered therapy dogs are excellent listeners. Children ages 5-12 are invited to read their favorite book to a furry, four-pawed friend. Each reader will receive a free book provided by the Tulsa Library Trust.

-- Robin Bushyhead ( Teen Library Associate) Collinsville Library

Feb 25, 2016

Senate Review by Senator J.J. Dossett (Feb. 26)

We’ve now past the deadline for Senate committees to vote on bills introduced by members of this chamber. Some of them were good bills, and some were not. One concept I’ve supported and filed legislation to address was eliminating the End of Instruction (EOI) exams required by the state.

High school students must pass four out of seven of these exams in order to graduate, no matter how well they did in their required classes. The tests cost taxpayers millions of dollars, and didn’t improve the quality of education students received by one bit—they were just one more government mandate that have left students over-tested and have gotten in the way of teachers who feel like they spent more time preparing students for the next high-stakes test than actually teaching.

This past Monday, I voted for a bill by the Senate Education Chairman, John Ford, to get rid of the EOIs. The measure still has to be approved by the full Senate, then go through the whole process again on the House side before it can even get to the governor’s desk, but I am encouraged that the bill cleared this hurdle.

One education bill I opposed is Senate Bill 1187. A few years ago legislation was passed that would allow some existing public schools to actually become more like a charter school, which would give them greater flexibility by exempting such “empowered” schools from some of the requirements public schools usually must fulfill. So far, no takers, so a bill was introduced this year to remove even more requirements, including deleting the minimum salary schedule and allowing the hiring of non-certified teachers and adjuncts. That’s just for starters.

Supporters argue this would only apply to these “empowered” schools, and stress none of these even exist yet anyway. But as a former teacher, I feel like this is just one more attempt to undermine our public schools, and avoid committing to the kinds of investments we critically need in Oklahoma classrooms—investments like better teacher pay that would help us keep our very best educators at work in our schools, instead of losing them to other states or professions offering better salaries.

I feel the same way about vouchers and other plans that I believe would further erode the support we give our public schools—especially at a time when they are already woefully underfunded.

It seems like everyone at the Capitol likes to say they support public education and that it’s a top priority. If that’s true, they need to listen to the majority of teachers, parents and students in our state and not push for bills that could significantly undermine the mission of offering a quality education to all children.

I welcome your comments on state government and the issues before us. Please feel free to contact me by writing to Senator J.J. Dossett at the State Capitol, Room 521-A, Oklahoma City, OK, 73105; call me at (405) 521-5566.