Fallin, Henke, Stanislawski Comment On Veto Override
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 21, 2014
Legislature Overrides Veto of Change to Reading Sufficiency Act
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Legislature voted today to override a veto of House Bill 2625, a measure to address gray areas in the current Reading Sufficiency Act.
The override was approved by a vote of 79-17 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives and by a vote of 45-2 in the Oklahoma Senate.
State Rep. Katie Henke, the bill’s author, said the legislation empowers parents and educators.
“Today, the House and Senate supported legislation that empowers parents and educators to make individualized decisions for Oklahoma students,” said Henke, R-Tulsa.
HB 2625 would create a student reading proficiency team composed of a parent, teachers, principal and reading specialist to determine whether a student should be promoted to the fourth grade. The district superintendent would ultimately decide to promote or retain the student based on their recommendation.
The legislation would also allow students to use a screening assessment at any point prior to the third-grade reading test to qualify for promotion.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 21, 2014
Governor Mary Fallin Comments on Veto Override of Bill that Rolls Back Literacy Standards
OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today issued the following statement regarding the veto override of HB 2625:
“I am disappointed today that the Legislature chose to override my veto of HB 2625, a bill which undercuts third-grade literacy standards and returns us to a system that has failed Oklahoma children for decades.
“At issue is this: what is the best way to help the nearly 8,000 third-graders we know are reading at a first-grade level? By overriding my veto, the Legislature has ensured the vast amount of these third-graders will go on to the fourth grade. They have not, however, acted to provide them with the tools they need to succeed. These children will now be asked to do more difficult coursework, and to do so with very limited reading skills.
“My concern continues to be that we are setting these children up for failure. We are asking them to succeed when we have not given them the skills they need to do so.
“Moving forward, the challenge for lawmakers, teachers, administrators and parents is clear: we must focus on teaching these children to read at a level that prepares them for success in school and beyond.
“The actions taken today by the Legislature do not bring us closer to that goal. My hope is that lawmakers and the education community can work together in the future to tackle the widespread reading deficiencies we see in our schools. Our children deserve nothing less.”
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For Immediate Release: May 21, 2014
Sen. Stanislawski comments on successful veto override for bill modifying the Reading Sufficiency Act
Sen. Gary Stanislawski, R-Tulsa, is Vice-Chair of the Senate Education Committee, and is the Senate author of a measure modifying Oklahoma’s Reading Sufficiency Act. He issued the following statement following Wednesday’s override of Gov. Fallin’s veto of House Bill 2625.
“I’m very grateful for the overwhelming support of this bill by my fellow members of the Senate. This will retain the high standards set out to make sure Oklahoma students are learning to read at the appropriate level, but the decision that a child needs to be held back won’t come down to a single high-stakes test. It allows for a series of assessments throughout the school year, and gives our local schools, professional educators and parents greater input.”
The Senate voted 45-2 to override HB 2625 following a House vote of 79-17.