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Interim Study Overview: Broadband Connectivity, COVID-19, Ed Funding, & More Dr. Pam Deering, CCOSA/OASA Executive Director Dr. Jeanene Barnett, CCOSA Education Policy & Research Analyst Megan Benn, Legislative Consultant The Oklahoma Legislature approved interim studies for the 2020 legislative interim that potentially provide a peek inside the minds of legislators for the 2021 Legislative Session. We know, without a doubt, the COVID-19 pandemic will definitely be on everyone’s minds, even if we have a fully functional and dispersed vaccine by February 1, 2021, the first day of the first session of the 58th Legislature. Some additional topics are introduced below. What exactly is an interim study? Interim studies include formal meetings over legislative and policy issues that are of interest to lawmakers. They often address issues deemed worthy of in-depth discussion and may eventually lead to legislation on the studied topic. Just as a reminder: House members may file “shell bills” without substantive language as a placeholder to be filled in later. Shell bills are prohibited in the Senate. The Speaker of the House and Pro Tempore of the Senate have approved only 13 House and six Senate interim studies that impact education for 2020, to be conducted some time before November.
Interim study topics this year include: • COVID-19 related • employment issues (House-20-041) • comparison of regional states and Oklahoma’s educational response plan (House-20-046) • student absenteeism (House-20-049) • Connectivity of broadband in Oklahoma schools (House-20-045) • Education funding • Bilingual, testing, qualifying, school procedures, transparency and accountability (Senate-2020-38) • Transportation funding in changing virtual environment, funding for schools utilizing city transit systems & 1.5-mile rule for transportation (Senate-2020-39) • Students with special learning needs • Transitions for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (Senate-2-2-16) • Learning challenges in underserved communities: Best practices in assessing learning problems, such as children diagnosed with deafness or dyslexia (Senate-2020-20)
CCOSA team members stay abreast of key topics circulating around the Capitol. We depend on our members to help us stay on top of issues. Thank you to all of our CCOSA members who have presented at Interim Studies last year. Each time that you tell your story, you build the credibility of Oklahoma education professionals. The more you communicate in a respectful way directly with your legislators, the easier it makes our jobs at the Capitol. Please let us know if your legislator approaches you about presenting at or providing input for an interim study. We want to make sure that we credit our CCOSA members who are called upon as experts for the interim studies. Important Dates December 11: Bill request deadline January 5: Organization day (in odd numbered years (years following an election) the Legislature meets on the Tuesday after the first Monday in January for the sole purpose of determining the outcome of the statewide elections) January 21: Bill introduction deadline February 1: Session begins
