Sen. Standridge announces interim studies on bullying and innovations in education

State Sen. Rob Standridge said two of his requested interim studies on education would be held on Tuesday, September 11, at the state Capitol. The first study will meet from 9 a.m. to noon in room 535 and will look at the issue of bullying. The second will focus on innovations in education throughout Oklahoma and what policies may be needed to help encourage such programs.

Standridge said despite the adoption of previous statutes and policies, bullying remains an issue which continues to devastate the lives of countless Oklahoma children and their families.

“You don’t have to look past Facebook to understand what a massive problem bullying is in our culture and within our schools,” said Standridge, R-Norman. “We must not sit by and let another child take their life because we failed to adopt policies that could have prevented such a desperate act. We need to examine what possible solutions may be, whether it means giving the student more options or providing a top down code of conduct that leads our children in the right direction, or some combination of the two.”

The second study on education innovations will be held in room 535 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on September 11.

“Charter schools, virtual schools and other programs have helped us fill a need that really wasn’t being met,” Standridge said. “Whether finding a way to help students with special needs or schools that focus on something like immersive language programs, we have successes in Oklahoma. We need to be able to offer more of these to students throughout the state.”
Standridge said Sen. Julie Daniels’ district is home to such innovative education programs, including the use of technology to give more students access to STEM curriculum and a school focusing on autism education. Both will be featured during the interim study. Daniels said such programs are essential to helping more Oklahoma children succeed.

“Children have a diverse range of needs, interests, talents and abilities. Parents are seeking innovative programs or schools that best suit their child,” said Daniels, R-Bartlesville. “Finding new and better ways of helping more students succeed must be a priority for our state.”