Bills ending social promotion and creating report card for schools head to Governor Fallin

Two key education reforms are just one step away from becoming law. Senate Bill 346, which received final Senate approval on Monday, would end social promotion. The House gave final approval to House Bill 1456, which would create a report card for public schools. Sen. Clark Jolley is principal Senate author of both measures.

“It comes down to the simple question of whether we want Oklahoma’s children to succeed. The current system has allowed far too many students to slip through the cracks,” said Jolley, R-Edmond. “Unless we want to keep repeating the same mistakes, it is time to try a new approach.”

SB 346 would target children unable to read at grade level.

“This is about doing everything we can to make sure the child is prepared to learn by being able to read. As a last resort, they will be retained in order to get the extra time and help they need to master that fundamental skill,” Jolley said.

HB 1456 would create a grading system for schools, rating them with letter grades so that parents and patrons can easily see how their local schools are performing.

“I want to thank my colleagues in the House and Senate for supporting these important reforms,” Jolley said. “It means more children will be able to succeed in school, in college and in life—and that means a better future for our entire state.”

SB 346 and HB 1456 now await Gov. Mary Fallin’s approval.