In Session

By Dr. Jeanene Barnett, Education Policy & Research Analyst

The Oklahoma Legislature has had an overwhelming Republican majority since 2009. Now, the composition of the Senate sits at 40 Republicans and 8 Democrats, and State House Republicans have an 81-20 advantage over Democrats.

On Monday, February 5, the 2024 Legislative Session officially began with the Governor’s annual State of the State speech. Regular Session convened the same day. This is the second year of the two-year legislative cycle.

This session, legislators filed approximately 2,051 bills: The Senate filed 1,210 measures, and the House filed 841 bills and joint resolutions. There are 2,464 carryover bills still alive from last session that can be resurrected and move forward as well. Keep in mind – bill filing leads to a plethora

of bills that make headlines, but few actually become law. As we advocate with our local legislators and review the list of bills, we must keep our focus on what is important and beneficial for students and schools. Only 19% of bills filed will become law, and very few bills are signed by the Governor with the same language they had at initial filing.

This reality shapes CCOSA’s advocacy efforts, where we take three approaches: promote legislation that responds to a call for help from our members

2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION IMPORTANT DATES

February 29, 2024

Bills must be through Committees.

March 21, 2024

Bills must be through first House of origin.

April 12, 2024

Bills must be through Committees in opposite House.

April 25, 2024

Bills must be heard in opposite House.

May 31, 2024

Sine Die, or last day of session.

Legislators have returned to the Capitol, and CCOSA will be keeping an eye on education policy and funding every step of the way.

and their schools, thus making public education stronger and better able to meet all student needs; respond to and work to defeat legislation that promotes unfairness and weakens public education; and/or collaborate with legislators to improve legislation, again with an eye toward fairness and quality in public education.

See the 2023-2024 CCOSA/OASA Legislative and Policy Issue Guidelines below for more details. As the session unfolds, CCOSA members will receive weekly updates and alerts on an asneeded basis. The legislative alerts usually ask members to contact their legislators and let them know if you support a bill or not. CCOSA provides an overview of how the bill is beneficial or detrimental to schools and our students; it is important that individual members are prepared to share how such a bill will impact their local schools and students. Personal stories make all the difference with legislators.

Overall, CCOSA encourages members to always be ready to tell stories of student success in their local public schools – and it isn’t necessary to be Shakespeare to do it. Being authentic and heartfelt is all it takes. Some areas you may want to reference include:

■ Using innovative approaches to teach literacy and math skills

■ Improving children’s health

■ Teaching both critical thinking and life skills

■ Preparing students for higher education and/or the workforce

■ Passing down values of the community

■ Broadening kids’ horizons

■ Teaching discipline and developing informed, self-governing citizens

■ Creating a path out of poverty

■ Fostering both confidence and character by experiencing wins and losses in competitions (sports, FFA, music, etc.)

2023-2024 CCOSA/OASA LEGISLATIVE AND POLICY ISSUE GUIDELINES

CCOSA VISION

As the state’s preeminent membership association for school administrators, CCOSA serves as Oklahoma’s most active and trusted voice in education policy, practice, and leadership, informing and shaping public policy and public opinion to ensure Oklahomans have the best public school system available.

CCOSA MISSION

To promote quality administrative leadership for Oklahoma schools through professional development, legislation, and member services.

CCOSA/OASA will consider taking a position on legislation or making a policy statement on issues relevant to its mission and vision. In making that determination, the following questions will be considered:

Will the legislation support CCOSA’s vision and mission?

■ Will it improve the quality and success of our school systems and their students or promote the development of a skilled, educated, and healthy workforce?

■ Have the expected fiscal impact of the legislation and current economic environment been appropriately considered?

■ Will it divert public dollars to be used for private purposes?

■ Is it supported in research to be effective for schools and children?

■ Will it create less paperwork and/or requirements for schools?

■ Will the support of CCOSA likely make a difference to the outcome?

■ Does the issue impact a large number of our members, their schools, and Oklahoma’s children?

■ Will taking a position create a significant conflict among members or partners?

Only 19% of bills filed will become law, and very few bills are signed by the Governor with the same language they had at initial filing.