Bill Backed by Governor Henry Aimed at Decreasing High School Drop-Outs Passes Senate Education Committee

Claremore Senator Calls Graduation Coaches an Innovative Idea

State Senator Sean Burrage (D-Claremore) said today Senate Bill 1694, which will pair at-risk Oklahoma students with community mentors, passed unanimously out of the Senate Education Committee. The bill creates a graduation coach program within the Oklahoma State Department of Education that will assist in giving Oklahoma students valuable life tools and helping them stay on track to graduate.

“I am very encouraged by the support for the graduation coach program. It is an innovative idea that can dramatically curb dropout rates statewide,” Burrage said. “We have a responsibility to provide every Oklahoma child an opportunity to graduate from school and pursue their dream.”

Burrage, who is carrying the bill for Governor Brad Henry though the legislative process, said Senate Bill 1694 is designed to keep students focused on academics and provide a help in handling issues outside of the classroom that could hinder graduation.

“If education is the key to success then we must provide our most vulnerable students the means to achieve that success, “Burrage said. “This bill does just that and I look forward to working with legislators on both sides of the aisle to keep this idea moving through the legislative process.”