Oklahoma education had two big tickets this legislative session -- teacher pay raises and testing relief -- but bills addressing either one of those failed to make it out this legislative session.
Superintendent Joy Hofmeister said Wednesday that while interest was high to do something to alleviate mandatory testing on Oklahoma students, any measure attempting to so do “stalled out.”
She said “time ran out” for further discussions but promised that next legislative session she would “solve what couldn’t be solved” this year.
“It’s going to take time to be on the same page,” she acknowledged.
Hofmeister also said this week that while she is grateful for lawmakers holding common education flat, a growing student population and a flat budget will begin to affect students.
Hofmeister said the department originally had prepared for a budget cut. “We know a large percentage of the budget is dedicated to education and it was a tremendous accomplishment for the Legislature to provide us a flat budget,” she said.
“I am very grateful for that, however, at the same time, when you have a flat number and a growing student population it will ultimately mean fewer dollars per student.”
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