This is the official Twitter account for #OklaEd, thehashtag that brings OK educators together. #OklaEd is not political & promotes constructive dialogue.
Tyler Bridges, @k20center Associate Director. #oklaed advocate, parent, spouse to a teacher, @UofOklahoma@oueducation PhD student, former teacher and admin. Ready to take in (and maybe spread) some wisdom!
Good evening #oklaed! My intro to Okla public schools was in 1st grade when we moved to Wayne, OK. We then moved to Norman where I graduated a Norman Tiger! During #okgov race, I enjoyed getting to revisit my alma mater when they hosted an #okgov ed forum for the community.
Jason James Superintendent of #AlexPS, #oklaed advocate, used to be told to use my inside voice when I WAS using my inside voice, have the right to remain silent but not the ability, coming to you live from SilverSands Resort in Cancun Mexico
Rick Cobb, Mid-Del superintendent #MDPurpose
Also life-long Oklahoman, 26 year educator, son of a retired 29 year special education teacher, and father of three #oklaed high school graduates.
My name is Dr. Joanna Lein @JoMabeeLein representing the Teaching and Leading Initiative. I am both an educator (novice teacher coach, instructional leadership person, etc.) and a parent of a @TulsaSchools kiddo. #oklaed
Glad to join in on the final one of 2018. Normally, I spend my Sunday nights doing homework for my Ed.D. Proud to serve as a school board member for Enid Public Schools. #OklaEd
Jason Dunnington, Representative for House District 88, parent of two @OKCPS children. One in 4th and one in 6th. Is Christmas break over yet? #oklaed#SundayChat
Hi, #oklaed
Joy Hofmeister, Oklahoma State Superintendent—Ready for tonight’s chat. And, welcome to Gov-elect @StittforGov, Lt. Gov-elect @mattpinnell and many other elected leaders tonight.
#HappyNewYear2019
Q1 – The most recent NCES data shows the 2018-2019 budget increase has diminished the gap between #OklaEd and the states in our region from $1,814 to approximately $1,121 per student. How has this investment gap impacted your school or children?
Also want to piggy back on @jlreed2011 & add @ASCD’s version of Maslow, as it relates to the students we serve. We have 2 teach the Whole Child. Policy has to support this research to meet the needs of S’s and the families we serve.@StittforGov#oklaed
A1). #oklaed#AlexPS is doing amazing things with the increased revenue (100% local advalorem taxes and 0% state aid). We’ve hired a LPC to assist both our students and parents as part of our effort to address the high rate of trauma induced students and families in our district.
A1: This means that #oklaed has the privilege (and obligation) to invest more in students & teachers. For my children I would have to assume that $693 went mostly to the much-deserved teacher salary increases.
A1 - Honestly, beyond a raise, not that much. We still need more Ts. We still need smaller class sizes. We still need textbooks. We still need technology. We still need better infrastructure. Sorry. Not to be negative Nancy, just being honest. #oklaed
Q1 – The most recent NCES data shows the 2018-2019 budget increase has diminished the gap between #OklaEd and the states in our region from $1,814 to approximately $1,121 per student. How has this investment gap impacted your school or children?
I’m no numbers wonk (taught history) but the thousands of emergency cert teachers even after raise and gap closing show we have much work left to do #oklaed
A1) In my school I have been able to add a Social Worker and a Parent Liaison to help with our students who come to us in crisis. I am looking to see the impact of these services that are vital to our students. #OklaEd
Q1 – The most recent NCES data shows the 2018-2019 budget increase has diminished the gap between #OklaEd and the states in our region from $1,814 to approximately $1,121 per student. How has this investment gap impacted your school or children?
A1 #oklaed Class sizes are above where we want them. The candidate pool is limited. Infrastructure needs go unmet. Districts continue using bond funds to pay for things the state used to fund. Local funding is tapped dry, and the cycle of unmet needs continues.
A1: Happy teachers who have experienced the first pay raise in a decade. However, classroom sizes and funding for curriculum are still a major concern. #oklaed
Q1 – The most recent NCES data shows the 2018-2019 budget increase has diminished the gap between #OklaEd and the states in our region from $1,814 to approximately $1,121 per student. How has this investment gap impacted your school or children?
Since the teacher walkout I’ve noticed the #okleg taking notice and participating in #oklaed dialog. I am encouraged by this new interest in our students.
Claudia Swisher...retired teacher and resident loudmouth...have been quiet recently. I'm a former teacher, an OSU adjunct, & most importantly, the gramma of three #oklaed students.
Q1 – The most recent NCES data shows the 2018-2019 budget increase has diminished the gap between #OklaEd and the states in our region from $1,814 to approximately $1,121 per student. How has this investment gap impacted your school or children?
A1: The investment is important and a great start. However, we still have much work to do to turn around the teacher shortage, reduce class sizes, invest in Prof. Dev., resources for Ts and Ss. #oklaed
Q1 – The most recent NCES data shows the 2018-2019 budget increase has diminished the gap between #OklaEd and the states in our region from $1,814 to approximately $1,121 per student. How has this investment gap impacted your school or children?
So great to see our next Governor @StittforGov, Lt. Gov @mattpinnell and Speaker @charles_mccall3 joining us this evening!! It says so much about the@future of our state!! I am feeling very optimistic! #oklaed
A1 Our district was able to add 20 teaching and 10 (if memory serves) aide positions district wide.
With lots of other hard work we adjusted our pay schedule to offer the highest starting teacher salary in the region #oklaed
Carri Hicks, 4th grade Math & Science teacher turned Senator. I guess I'm all of the categories, educator, parent of @PutnamCityOK Pirate, advocate, and now legislator. #oklaed
A1). As a MO teacher for 10 years & now an OK teacher for 5, I am seeing big strides in closing gaps in my area. However, LOTS of room yet to go to be truly competitive with both staff & instruction. Improvement needs to steamroll from here #oklaed
A1 funding and T raise was much needed and appreciated. Can we take the action needed to be a leader in the education of our kids? I can’t think of a better economic development tool than a world class education system.
#oklaed
A3: It was nice, but it was not enough to make the major changes our beloved state needs. I feel that this investment set in motion the seed to positive changes that I hope will come for our state, our community, and our children. #oklaed
A1-Hasn't changed Purcell drastically. Has provided much needed pay raise for teachers. Textbook money helped with technology. Lots of great things going on in Purell, with Personalized Learning, Bond Projeccts, Coding, and STEM initiatives, and internships. #OklaEd
A1: Teacher morale has improved this year. There is still a disconnect w/ teacher to student ratio. Decreasing class sizes, hiring more teachers, will allow for better relationships, fewer behavior issues, more individual time. #oklaed
A1: This means that #oklaed has the privilege (and obligation) to invest more in students & teachers. For my children I would have to assume that $693 went mostly to the much-deserved teacher salary increases.
Q1 – The most recent NCES data shows the 2018-2019 budget increase has diminished the gap between #OklaEd and the states in our region from $1,814 to approximately $1,121 per student. How has this investment gap impacted your school or children?
A1. It was a nice small start with majority going to teacher raises, but we are still well below the other states in the region and teachers are still leaving. I hope #okleg continues to give more to education and this will keep teachers in oklaboma. #oklaed
A1) Schools are human-driven which means that we must invest in our educators. This means providing high-quality professional learning that is job-embedded is critical. Without funds, we cannot invest in the adults who devote their worlds to kids. It is a zero-sum game. #oklaed
A1: to many of us the deficit looks like large class sizes, fleeing teachers, positions left unfilled, lack of qualified professionals to meet our kids needs, etc. We put a shovel of dirt in the hole but the hole is still there. #oklaed
Q1 – The most recent NCES data shows the 2018-2019 budget increase has diminished the gap between #OklaEd and the states in our region from $1,814 to approximately $1,121 per student. How has this investment gap impacted your school or children?
A1: I saw a budget increase for spending in the media center this year which means more books and resources for students at my school district. My HS daughter says her teachers are begging for money for copies and her bio class has done one lab all year. #OklaEd
As a mom, I'm not sure I know the scope of the opportunities lost as the gap has persisted the entire time my children have been in school. I'm hopeful we'll continue to see the gap shrink. #oklaed
Q1 – The most recent NCES data shows the 2018-2019 budget increase has diminished the gap between #OklaEd and the states in our region from $1,814 to approximately $1,121 per student. How has this investment gap impacted your school or children?
Ranet @RanetTippens Superintendent Deer Creek Schools, Parent to 2 Oklahoma Public Education graduates and Grandparent to 4 Oklahoma Public Education students. #oklaed
A1: Oops! I can't see a direct impact in my classroom because the Mid-Del district has been phenomonal at lessoning the impact of reduced funding on our children. I look forward to the day when I can just ask for what I need without guilt. #OklaEd
A1 Our HS library is still only open for two hours per day. I need it open all day with a librarian in order to build lifelong readers--and writers. #oklaed
This is true and our students are the ones who have to suffer through untrained people in the classroom who do more damage that takes years to recover. We can exit an unfit classroom adult but we must have support to help the students they harmed. #oklaed
A1: class sizes are not ideal, programs have been cut, Fine arts no longer a focus, teachers leaving in droves. Plus the amount of emergency certified teachers keeps growing. #oklaed
Since the teacher walkout I’ve noticed the #okleg taking notice and participating in #oklaed dialog. I am encouraged by this new interest in our students.
Once gain #OklaEd set a new record for emergency certified teachers. We must create a long term funding plan to add to last years record investment in our children's future .
#oklaed A1: It's the first step in the right direction: raising teacher salaries, keeping schools open, & helping students, but it will take time to help us correct all the damage that has been done to education in Oklahoma.
A1 -- I'm working with OSU student interns...they WANT to stay in #oklaed and teach...they really do. But they fear for their future so they go teach someplace else. We train amazing teachers who leave.
A1) Retaining teachers. It’s not just pay, but resources, classroom sizes, and support staff needs. Many leave the classroom because of this gap. #oklaed
A1 Closing the gap is great, but ultimately until the gap is reversed and our Ss are on the end that everyone else is trying to get to it hasn't helped enough #oklaed
This right here - we’re not thinking big enough if we’re looking just at our neighboring states. You want OK to become a destination instead of a pit stop? Get folks frothing to get their kids into our schools PreK-Grad. #oklaed
A1 funding and T raise was much needed and appreciated. Can we take the action needed to be a leader in the education of our kids? I can’t think of a better economic development tool than a world class education system.
#oklaed
A2 - Any new money should be provided to local boards to invest in lower class sizes, additional pay raises and providing mental health and other needed student services.
#OklaEd needs 4,900 additional teachers to reach the regional average in student/teacher ratio.
Tristy Fryer, co-chair Bixby PLAC, admin OKPE4PE, parent of daughters in public schools, former public school teacher, former private school teacher, home school educator/consultant #OklaEd
A1: Given that addressing the teacher shortage is #oklaed's most urgent priority, the pay raises are a temporary bandage. More must be done to stem the bleeding, but the additional revenue for teachers and staff was greatly appreciated!
I agree. More emergency certifications were issued this year than in past years, the pay raise didn't solve the teacher shortage and we are still preparing great Ts to leave OK #oklaed
Once gain #OklaEd set a new record for emergency certified teachers. We must create a long term funding plan to add to last years record investment in our children's future .
A1 The word’s out...educators are among the lowest paid & least respected professionals in OK...few college grads are choosing to pursue a career in ed. We need to have a long term plan for change & increased funding. Repairing the damage that’s been done will take time. #OklaEd
A1 Since the decrease in funding began about ten yrs ago, many programs such as art and music were cut in elementary schools. Teachers became discouraged year after year doing without resources and teaching too many students. #oklaed
A2) #oklaed Easy Answer:
1). Reduce class sizes
2). Hire more counselors (and not just guidance counselors)
3) Make sure every child who is suffering from trauma at home have access to the social services they need to break the cycle.
A1) I lose STEM club students every year because they are frustrated by the limited amount of equipment. That's with our amazing @MidDelSchlFound providing what they can to help. #OklaEd
I have not been in the classroom this year. So, coming 2nd hand fm my amazing team - the increase in # of ECT is continuing to present serious concerns for all involved. Behavior, academic achievement gaps, and human capital due to the rate of turnover. #oklaed
Q1 – The most recent NCES data shows the 2018-2019 budget increase has diminished the gap between #OklaEd and the states in our region from $1,814 to approximately $1,121 per student. How has this investment gap impacted your school or children?
We have to be patient and understand we can’t go from last to world class overnight but you are right, we can’t settle for just being the best in the region! #oklaed
This right here - we’re not thinking big enough if we’re looking just at our neighboring states. You want OK to become a destination instead of a pit stop? Get folks frothing to get their kids into our schools PreK-Grad. #oklaed
A1 funding and T raise was much needed and appreciated. Can we take the action needed to be a leader in the education of our kids? I can’t think of a better economic development tool than a world class education system.
#oklaed
A1: Closing the gap ensures long term viability but in the end it feels like we are celebrating mediocrity, because we still have teachers fleeing the state, large class sizes, and a myriad of other issues. I want better for my kids. #oklaEd
A1: the historic funding and teacher raise is helping and we need to use this as momentum to continue forward to strive and do better for our students #oklaed#alwaysforward
A1 good start, but we have so much further to go on class size, which would require more teachers but that would require an investment in salaries #oklaed
A2: Ts and Ss need resources and support, especially with the # of students we have with Trauma/ACES. T Development/PD, Recruitment of high quality Ts. #OklaEd
A1: The teacher pay raise was a good start. Now schools need to be properly funded. Old textbooks and out of date technology would be a nice place to start! #oklaed
A2) Every School should have a library with a full time certified librarian. We also need to invest more in fine arts and resources for all classrooms. #oklaEd
A1 my district has done a great job of lessening the negative impact of lack of funds, but every little bit helps and I am truly grateful for the raise. I just hope that OK continues to place value into education and #oklaed
A1 #oklaed Class sizes are above where we want them. The candidate pool is limited. Infrastructure needs go unmet. Districts continue using bond funds to pay for things the state used to fund. Local funding is tapped dry, and the cycle of unmet needs continues.
A2- Recruiting teachers, applicant pool is just not what it needs to be. Need more counselors. Help with implementing CS standards and helping teachers implement and use those in the classrooms for a 21st Century Classroom. #oklaed
A1: The raise is a good start. We are still losing teachers to neighboring states for higher salaries. Class sizes are much larger than those mandated by 1017. Operations and Transportation have had little funding since the 1980's. Textbooks needed. #oklaed
A2: Of course reducing class sizes is a goal for most districts in #oklaed. However, the demand for quality teachers greatly exceeds the current supply. The pipeline of future teachers has been damaged by years of neglect. We need a plan to aggressively address this issue NOW.
Steady progress will do more than fits & spurts for sure. Dedicated (RELIABLE) & steady revenue speaks to commitment and future growth. Let’s start there & build as a team. OK has some truly talented folks to draw from! #oklaed
A2) 1. Recruit and retain high quality teachers. Restoring NBCT stipends would help! 2. Bring back art and music for all of our kids. 3. Lower class sizes across the board, which can't happen without #1. #OklaEd
A2: RECRUIT TEACHERS (smaller class sizes, qualified people, respect, etc.), brig back the arts, social workers & counselors (these kids have needs beyond academia!!!) #oklaed
#oklaed A1. We cut to the bare bones during the downturn. Made some very difficult decisions. Accepted some outcomes we shouldn’t have. With new money, it is time to start having school.
No sir, I teach at Mid-Del currently. Ridgecrest Elementary, Special Education PK-3rd. You are welcome to come to my classroom any time, though! #oklaEd
A2: Dream list starts with more pay (I'd like to pay of Student loans before my estate has to) then instructional money for my science kiddos, and finally more teachers to keep classroom sizes down! #OklaEd
A2: First, invest in developing and keeping highly qualified teachers. Second, ensure all students have access to a variety of rigorous classes. Finally, make sure school buildings are top notch. #oklaed
A2 investing in our teachers which doesn’t just mean another raise. We have to lower class sizes, spend more on classroom supplies, and provide support from T leaders in positions like instructional coaches to develops teachers to be the best they can be. #oklaed
#oklaed A2: We need more teachers to decrease class sizes, we need to offer music and art that some schools have dropped, and we need to focus on developing curriculum that focuses on the interests, career choices, and talents of our students.
Smaller class sizes, more school counselors-aides-behavior specialists (investments in mental health), increasing teacher salaries, funding fine arts programs. #oklaed
A2) Recruit/retain teachers. The raise was great in helping with those teachers that could retire continue to teach. But the pipeline of new teachers is still just dripping. #oklaed
A1: Alt. Cert teachers need PD and support. All teachers need PD opportunities. The $17 million paid for 1/2 textbook. Some are 10-12 years old. Addressing class size and classes lost is critical. #oklaed
A2) 1. Funding for class size reduction, retention of teachers and more of them (the certified kind) 2. Funding for wrap around services 3. Funding for operational costs #oklaed
However, I highly recommend a visit to Wayne. I am impressed with all the progress they have made even since I’ve graduated in ‘12. The schools are making progress and some of the roads have stripes! #oklaEd
A3 - Invest in #OklaEd students in a competitive way and we will gladly accept the challenge meeting or exceeding the performance our peer states. We must provide resources to reduce class size and provide necessary student support in areas such as mental health .
A2)Invest for TOP10 state: 1-Instructional material funding that is shored up and can't be used for other education needs. 2-Teacher health care costs decreased and salaries increased 3-wrap-around-supports to stop cycle of poverty and incarcerations. #oklaed. @OklaEd@shawnhime
A2: More Counselors, certified teachers, we need to fill more roles so that faculty isn’t wearing so many hats. Counselors are not test coordinators. #oklaed
A1) The top three areas should be looking at creating schools that are developing our students for the skills of today and tomorrow. We need to develop the soft skills employers want, the higher thinking skills necessary for future industries, and character development. #OklaEd
A2 -
1- Teacher recruitment/retention
2- Infrastructure improvements (maybe we think BEYOND bond issues being the only $$ to fix crumbling schools)
3- Respect (being treated as PROs) - This isn’t an investment, but it is HIGHLY lacking & a reason Ts flee this field. #oklaed
A2: Not really participating in tonight’s #oklaed chat more reading and watching sports. However I have to ask why are we willing to accept average in education funding. We don’t accept average with OU football or Thunder basketball or our students. We should want to be the top!
A2 1)Teacher Salleries will continued be an issue...we have to make pursuing a degree in teaching worth it for potential future teachers. 2) Support staff pay 3) bring our classrooms into the 21st century...it’s time to reimagine education!#OklaEd
A2)
1) Recruit high quality teachers - which means someone who is #coachable with the right #mindsets about kids and families in impoverished communities/who maintain high expectations
2) Train and support them
3) Pay them
It is all about high quality teaching. Period.
#oklaed
I would add another thought here -
Getting all of the "mandatory" back to school supplies is expensive.
What if every school was truly able to provide those "mandatory" supplies?
We shop the deals and still spend over $200 on "mandatory."
#oklaed
A2 it is more lucrative for non-cert staff to work at McDonald's we still have an overall problem with how Ss are valued by the #okleg that should be a continued priority. Also, a state-wide building fund to bring equity to facilities instead of another rainy day fund #oklaed
A3 - ACT/SAT and Career readiness indicators. #OklaEd students come to our classrooms at different levels of readiness. We must invest adequately to provide the resources necessary to have them Career and College ready upon graduation.
A3b) benchmarks for a top 10 state
1) all Ss have access to foreign language, STEM, and fine art
2) 100% Ss suffering trauma has access to necessary services
3) #okleg invests in #oklaed at equavalent level as other top 10 states
4) every classroom as a highly effective T
A3). IMO, #oklaed will be a top 10 edu state when our Ss are worth same investment as other state’s Ss-When we stop incarcerating a record number of mothers. When abused Ss don’t remain in their abusive situation-When we care just as much for the child as the child’s test score
A2: More Counselors, certified teachers, we need to fill more roles so that faculty isn’t wearing so many hats. Counselors are not test coordinators. #oklaed
A2 Hire more teachers and pay them enough to keep them. Decrease the class sizes and offer more intervention programs to bring our students up. Offer incentives in colleges for those who will pursue education majors. It will take 5 or 6 years to build back, #oklaed
A2: Some way, staffing formulas need to be adjusted to fit the needs of the school site. Programs like foreign languages are cut, and thus crippling certain learners in their academic journey.. One size fits one. #oklaed#BMEsTalk
A2 we need #Okleg to truly understand what is needed to grow and support T’s and not assume positions like instructional coaches are just more admin. #oklaed
A2) #oklaed class size is coming up a lot. How does funding help this? More emergency cert teachers? This is an ultimate goal. Improve retention, resident teacher program back, retain quality teachers, we can then improve class sizes.
A3: A top10 moniker will not only be measured through traditional education outcomes of testing, etc
I think we are deemed successful if we see decreases in incarceration and childhood poverty, increases in qualified applicants of high demand jobs & needed college grads. #oklaed
1) Teacher Salaries
2) Teacher Salaries
3) Teacher Salaries
If we truly believe that a teacher is the biggest factor in a student’s education, then we need to invest there to attract and keep the best.
#oklaed
A3 - ACT/SAT and Career readiness indicators. #OklaEd students come to our classrooms at different levels of readiness. We must invest adequately to provide the resources necessary to have them Career and College ready upon graduation.
A2- increase funding to decrease class sizes, ensure that all students are taught by qualified faculty and sufficient support staff, and restore lost programs cut to save $ #oklaed
A2:
1. Reduce classroom sizes with a focus on teacher recruitment/retention
2. PD in trauma, mental health, more counselors
3. Salaries
4. Instructional materials
(I added more) #oklaed
Thought after reading some answers. Why do we always say we want to have teacher pay to be competitive regionally? Don’t we want to be the best to attract the best? Food for Thought. #oklaed
Addressing the teacher shortage and recruiting quality teachers in OK should be a top priority, lowering class sizes and providing resources for the classrooms will help recruit and keep OK teachers. Thank you @StittforGov and @mattpinnell for joining the discussion #OklaEd
A2: Actually hard to answer due to so many moving parts (example: smaller class sizes - this means physical spaces, more teachers, qualified teachers, competitive pay across the board so one district isn’t raiding from another). There is truly much to be done for #oklaed
A2) Salary for Cert and Support. I personally think we are $2k (starting $38,600) away from being in good shape. A teacher entering year 3 would be getting paid 40k.
More teachers to lower classroom sizes and bring back electives.
Money for supplies, curriculum, etc
#OklaEd
A2: We are still not seeing an interest in kids graduating HS and going into education. A focus should be trying to increase that. We have to have incentives for them or we continue increasing emergency certifications #OklaEd
A2 invest in quality Ts and support staff, decrease classroom sizes, invest in quality mental health services. We are still losing Ts to surrounding states...it’s not just about money in pockets, fund the classrooms. #oklaed
A3 @StittforGov It’s about respect, educators in #TopTen states feel respected by their state’s leaders. Including teachers in the dialogue is a great place to start. In defining success, we have to use both quantitative and qualitative measures. #oklaed
Quantitative: increased education funding, competitive teacher salaries, smaller class sizes, higher graduation rates, more school counselors, increase in arts programs, more students in Oklahoma’s Promise, more students entering college after high-school. #oklaed
Qualitative, we’ve got to focus on educating the whole child - emotionally, behaviorally, socially etc. We need enough school counselors, aides, and behavior specialists to respond to the needs of students experiencing trauma or ACE’s; and prioritize fine arts programs. #oklaed
A3b) benchmarks for a top 10 state
1) all Ss have access to foreign language, STEM, and fine art
2) 100% Ss suffering trauma has access to necessary services
3) #okleg invests in #oklaed at equavalent level as other top 10 states
4) every classroom as a highly effective T
A2: 1. Class Size 2. Class supplies and materials 3. replacement of class offerings lost and support services lost #oklaed (4. operations 5. transportation)
A2 Address class sizes - directly linked to a shortage of qualified Ts, so we must cont. to invest in our Ts. We need mental health services in line w national recommendations for better Ss outcomes. Simplify the the funding formula to get dollars to the classroom. #oklaed
A3 #oklaed Create a measure of HS graduates who do at least one of the following: enter college, complete a CT certification program, begin military service - within one year of graduation. The closer this is to 100%, the better the WHOLE DISTRICT is doing.
A3 we can’t focus on the fruit when reaching for top ten. Test scores are good data but we have to recognize and reward the harder to measure things that get us focused on the root! #oklaed
A3) The benchmarks of a top-10 education state must include all levels of development. Community and Parental support, academic achievement, services offered to students in need, vocational and college acceptance, and top rated training for educators. #OklaEd
A1: $ Gap = larger class sizes which harms children w/ high ACE scores, worn out instructional materials, high number of emergency certified Ts cuz Ts leaving Okla. in droves to surrounding states, & low # of college-ed majors #oklaed@OklaEd@shawnhime
Q1 – The most recent NCES data shows the 2018-2019 budget increase has diminished the gap between #OklaEd and the states in our region from $1,814 to approximately $1,121 per student. How has this investment gap impacted your school or children?
A3: #oklaed has not & will not shy away from accountability. I understand it is part of the process. That being said, we MUST continue to look at & invest in what produces results, not just look at & invest in the most accurate measurements of results. It is about the process!
To be #topten we need literacy for all students. How do we do it? Early screening, effective reading intervention and PD for all teacher working with struggling students. #oklaed
A2 we need fine arts. I am the librarian at my school but I see the Ss need for art, music and computer science education. For many Ss fine arts is their way of expression. W/out it behaviors are on the rise. #oklaed
A2) 1. Funding (it could be more to me than a raise at this point but I know there are others whose perspective has them seeing a raise first.)
2. A raise would be good, cause my stipend isn’t great.
3. Support staff. #oklaed
Kelli Kidd. 6th grade science teacher. Deer Creek. There is a desperate need for qualified paras and special Ed Ts to adequately service our students with special needs, as well as provide appropriate inclusion services. #OklaEd
We must offer students choices, options, so they can find their passions. It was in HS that I discovered literature and music. My Grand 'majored' in art classes. That should be our contribution. #OklaEd
A3b) benchmarks for a top 10 state
1) all Ss have access to foreign language, STEM, and fine art
2) 100% Ss suffering trauma has access to necessary services
3) #okleg invests in #oklaed at equavalent level as other top 10 states
4) every classroom as a highly effective T
A3: Not a fan of "top ten" rhetoric without evidence of a significant paradigm shift in #oklaed. So, how about just focusing on how we can get better. This starts and end with quality teachers and building admin. It's not complicated. Great teachers and principals=great schools.
Actual, real, legitimate honest to goodness student growth.
Not we moved all students from bottom quartile to middle quartile. Each student starts in a different place.
But truly moving a student from where they start at the beginning of the year.
Growth portfolios. #oklaed
Hey #oklaed Emergency Certified and Alternatively Certified are two different things. I’m Alt Certified so is my girl Shari Gately didn’t seem matter when we were Top 12 💪🏼
#OklaEd A2. Reduce class size. I predict the teacher shortage will be even greater in three years. My conversation to all my retirement eligible teachers last year was, “Stay for 3 more, it will make a large difference in retirement.” Now what?
A3: Students getting to college without taking remedial classes, businesses getting the workers they need with additional training, and teachers staying in Oklahoma classrooms would be definite benchmarks I'd love to see. #oklaed
A3) Our kids should be able to do things. That means starting in early grades with less testing and more inquiry and chances to build and design and create. It means continuing with our upper grades with project and portfolio development. #OklaEd
A3 cont
Proper investment of public education can and will drive economic prosperity, then we can see smaller class sizes (more teachers are needed to lower class sizes) and more innovation. This costs $ y’all #oklaed
A3: hello, friendly neighborhood hippie teacher here 👋🏼Top 10 means happy students, qualified teachers, diverse opportunities that students are TAKING! We have risk takers, creative thinkers, & resources for ALL the needs of students. Tell me the test that measures that #oklaed
A3. Don’t have a budget that will force the elimination of fine arts classes. Putting the Ss as the face of Ed and not dollars and cents. Putting highly effective and trained teachers in the classroom. Creating more opportunities for STEM and STEAM programs. #oklaed
A3: #oklaed has not & will not shy away from accountability. I understand it is part of the process. That being said, we MUST continue to look at & invest in what produces results, not just look at & invest in the most accurate measurements of results. It is about the process!
A3b #oklaed Other things we should measure/value: teacher retention, teachers pursuing advanced degrees, career advancement opportunities within a district, percentage of teachers who are graduates of the district where they work, participation in extracurricular programs...
Success is not only about reading scores and ACT results, but those will come (along with MANY other great things) if we put our focus on research-based best practices that have been proven to work for kids. #FOCUS#oklaed
Oklahoma’s need for emergency certified teachers is extremely high compared to other states. Since there’s a national teacher shortage— it only deepens the shortage and worsens the impact to our state. #oklaed
In reply to
@oksenthompson, @thestephhinton, @TeachFromHere, @ShariGateley
A3: I can tell you it shouldn’t be test scores! A top 10 education state services the whole child. Their ACE Score matters, we have plenty of counselors, we have adequate class sizes, we have technology for every student. #oklaed
A2. 1. Recruiting and retaining qualified teachers in order to decrease class sizes.
2. Onsite mental health services for students.
3. School nurses at each school site. #oklaed
A4). it’s actually quit simple, for #oklaed to be the best #okleg must want to invest for us to be the best. We’ve tried cutting our way to the bottom. We’ve tried increasing accountability. We’ve done everything but actual invest in people and students.
#oklaed I would be interested in hear about some "grow your own" initiatives across the state. Stilwell schools/NSU and @TulsaSchools with TU have some interesting things brewing. They are presenting out our conference to let others know about it. @eesmith0814 is a ninja!
A2: We are still not seeing an interest in kids graduating HS and going into education. A focus should be trying to increase that. We have to have incentives for them or we continue increasing emergency certifications #OklaEd
Amen! Just because a student doesn’t score great on a test doesn’t mean they aren’t well prepared for work or military! Takes some effort to really understand! #oklaed
A3 #oklaed Create a measure of HS graduates who do at least one of the following: enter college, complete a CT certification program, begin military service - within one year of graduation. The closer this is to 100%, the better the WHOLE DISTRICT is doing.
A3) Definitely ACT/SAT and Career readiness indicators. Also, literacy is key! Has anyone every asked you what score you made on your state test? (Stolen from WPS-Mrs. Hamilton) #oklaed
A3 - ACT/SAT and Career readiness indicators. #OklaEd students come to our classrooms at different levels of readiness. We must invest adequately to provide the resources necessary to have them Career and College ready upon graduation.
What I heard in 2018:
-Prepare kids w/skills to thrive in job market of tomorrow
-Set standards that are as rigorous as those across nation
-Allow local communities more authority over teaching responsibilities
-Force more collaboration btwn K12, career tech, higher ed
#oklaed A4
A3. Need to look at ACT/SAT and AP for College Readiness but also are students career ready like vocational skills and military skills. Put ever kid on a path that is right for them. #oklaed
A3: before we can measure student success we need to measure accurately student progress. THE SAME STUDENTS! Where they start where they finish not comparison of different children at different levels, with different backgrounds. #OklaEd
A3) Our kids should be able to do things. That means starting in early grades with less testing and more inquiry and chances to build and design and create. It means continuing with our upper grades with project and portfolio development. #OklaEd
A3 - Some things aren’t measurable!!. But for the things we can measure - per pupil spending, college/career statistics (Ss committing in a 1,2,4 or more program), & a reverse in neg. statistics b/c ed impacts them all (incarceration, teen preg., etc). #oklaed
Reality: students in this environment WILL learn. They WILL grow academically. They will also have doors opened to them. Oklahoma can be a place people WANT their family. But we cannot get there with a test. #oklaed
A3: hello, friendly neighborhood hippie teacher here 👋🏼Top 10 means happy students, qualified teachers, diverse opportunities that students are TAKING! We have risk takers, creative thinkers, & resources for ALL the needs of students. Tell me the test that measures that #oklaed
A3: Graduation rates, teacher retention, college access, restoring funding to Higher Ed to Pre-Recession levels. Increase funding to schools.
@OKhighered#oklaed
A3c #oklaed ...but seriously, let's get out of the bottom ten for funding, and then stay out of the bottom ten. Without that, any talk of joining the top ten is pointless.
@stittforGov I'm Looking forward to your success in turning around our State to be a TOP 10 STATE. What a wonderful thing that will be! Every one of Oklahoma's children from every background deserve the chance to succeed just like our own children have. @oklaed@shawnhime#oklaed
In reply to
@StittforGov, @shawnhime, @StittforGov, @OklaEd, @shawnhime
A4 - Develop and implement a long-term funding plan bringing the state per pupil expenditures to the regional average, to equip schools with the tools and resources to improve student achievement and produce college- and career-ready students. #OklaEd
A3 When we view our children as our greatest resource our priorities will shift...our current situation indicates that we have not placed a high priority on children! Make them a priority and watch our communities prosper, prison numbers drop etc.. #OklaEd
A4 -- local communities AND our legislature AND our governor MUST be willing to INVEST in our schools. Money, yes. And time, and passions. There are great needs and many must be met with more funding. #TruthHurts#oklaed
A3 #Oklaed
As a former teacher I despise the word “benchmark” so I’m just giving y’all helpful hints from frontline teachers
I’d like to make sure all charter schools (or any school that takes public tax dollars) have as much accountability as their public counterparts.
A3: Educating the whole child and preparing them for their next chapter in life,....college, tradeschool, the workforce. The first step is to graduate, success will look different for every student. #oklaed One size doesn’t fit all.
A3: The most important question is this;
Do we want to be known for ACT scores or do we want to be known for a high quality of life driven by great schools and an abundance of good paying jobs and homes in low crime neighborhoods?
I know which I choose. #okleg#oklaed
A3: Not a fan of "top ten" rhetoric without evidence of a significant paradigm shift in #oklaed. So, how about just focusing on how we can get better. This starts and end with quality teachers and building admin. It's not complicated. Great teachers and principals=great schools.
A3: Instructional Tools, professional development for teachers, incentives for Ts to continue own education, competitive pay, investment and commitment to STEM education to prepare #oklaed Ss for the jobs not yet created.
A3:
Per pupil $
LT Educ Funding Plan
Grad Rates -ACT/SAT
Teacher Pay
School/Student Support
SEL/Mental Health Stud/Families
Wrap around services
#OklaEd
Counselors are in the top 5 priority but we need a certified teacher in every classroom. We need to retain and recruit teachers. We need more counselors. These are a package to me. I can’t prioritize them except to say they all come first. #oklaed
A3: Per pupil spending equal with the regional average, teacher pay increase, continued teacher training, additional counselors who actually get to work with students! #OklaEd
A3) Moving to STEAM and not just STEM. Offering pathways where students don’t have to choose as sophomores, let’s face it, some of the most successful people out there didn’t know in HS. Eliminating EOI and going to the ACT family of tests, no college cares about EOI. #oklaed
A4: Embrace and reward innovation. There are some amazing pockets of excellence in spite of budget, it would be great to see statewide models set up. #oklaed
A4: We must continue to focus on core services and the citizens of our state. Our track record in public health, mental health, divorce, teen pregnancy, abuse, incarceration, and poverty MUST be addressed and improved for #oklaed to ever fully prosper.
A4 #oklaed has to believe we can do things we currently don’t see as possible. #okleg has to be a true partner in the journey and do the hard work to understand the reality of what it takes to have a world class education system.
Amen, brother. As long as we're ranked 49th in funding, we can't expect #oklaed schools to perform any better than that - except that they already do. @AlphaPlusEdu
A3) Lets do everything we can to put a top ten type quality teacher in the classroom with every kid In OK. Everything. Pay, respect, class size, operational funding, books, wrap around services. #oklaed
A3: FOUND IT! There are a lot of ways to look at this question. Teacher retention rates, Ts PD participation, graduation rates, ACT/SAT, Ss access to arts/other curricular options, career readiness #oklaed
You two are rock stars as are others :-)
I think its critical to provide support for all teachers. Those who come from different backgrounds will need different support. If they are going to teach, that support MUST be provided. #Oklaed
A3simplified: we need qualified people doing the quality things who care about the kids and do whatever it takes. Everything else will come. Stop measuring and start INVESTING. #oklaed
A4) One way to help achieve the goal of @StittforGov is to look at the building level leadership for what is necessary and move away from one-way-fits-all evaluation measures and testing results that gives a snapshot of a day instead of a picture of learning. #OkLaEd
We @DDOK_official are committed to helping our teachers and students with dyslexia. We are working on professional development opportunities for 2019. #oklaed
A4 Our top Ss must have a desire to join #oklaed, mental health services prioritized for our Ss so they can have a better chance at success, median income increased and fewer Ss living in poverty....
A3) #oklaed. ACT/SAT scores, high school graduation rates, lower remediation at college, increase college graduation rates, increase certifications and credentials in bus. & ind. all three educational groups need to be more seamless and less like individual silos.
A4: Whatever the metrics, we won't get to Top 10 without solutions for the teacher shortage. So many out-of-school factors influence student achievement, but a great teacher can help level the playing field. #oklaed
A3: Students getting to college without taking remedial classes, businesses getting the workers they need with additional training, and teachers staying in Oklahoma classrooms would be definite benchmarks I'd love to see. #oklaed
Then we need an honest and serious conversation about the purpose of K12 education & #oklaed. Do we educate Ss so they become more involved and better citizens or are we a workforce development organization? Serious question.
A3: The most important question is this;
Do we want to be known for ACT scores or do we want to be known for a high quality of life driven by great schools and an abundance of good paying jobs and homes in low crime neighborhoods?
I know which I choose. #okleg#oklaed
#oklaed A3: Find out what Ss like to do, what talents they have, and what career choices they may want to explore. Use the ICAP to help put them on a path and offer classes that go with those choices. Give Ss a choice. ACT/SAT scores are one part of the answer.
A4: Each District must be given the freedom and flexibility to do what is best for their own district. Knowing there is accountability, Each district is unique and can not be legislated to top 10. #oklaed
A3: before we can measure student success we need to measure accurately student progress. THE SAME STUDENTS! Where they start where they finish not comparison of different children at different levels, with different backgrounds. #OklaEd
A2 Class size limits, remedial opportunities at the elem level rather than just retention, some parent accountability especially regarding attendance,and quality PD for Ts especially alt cert and emer cert. #oklaED
A3 Academic outcomes are inextricably linked to investment. We need to ensure equity is protected. Additionally, we must find a long-term revenue source to increase our levels of investment per pupil w states that lead the nation in achievement. #oklaed
A4 Make meeting the needs of children and families a priority. Provide positive 21st century learning environments for a children. Respect educators as professionals and listen to them. #OklaEd
A3c #oklaed ...but seriously, let's get out of the bottom ten for funding, and then stay out of the bottom ten. Without that, any talk of joining the top ten is pointless.
A4 we have to understand the vast differences in #oklaed schools. The needs are very different. Provide the wrap around supports to the high poverty schools. Put our money where our mouth is on trauma informed education!
A3: Timely Pre and Post tests if test are to accurately assess growth of a student. Comparing apples to oranges gives little information. #oklaed Relevant testing for secondary. i.e. recent move to ACT, Funding of PD..
A4 -- Gonna say it again, another way. We need funding. These are our students...they are our future. They are worth every penny we invest. There is no 'fat' to cut in school budgets. No huge "fraud and abuse." There is a lack of investment in what matters. #oklaed
Agreed - All of these areas impact every person that walks through school doors at every level. A chaotic mind is not ready to take advantage of all it is offered. Let’s give OK kids every opportunity to do well #oklaed
A4: We must continue to focus on core services and the citizens of our state. Our track record in public health, mental health, divorce, teen pregnancy, abuse, incarceration, and poverty MUST be addressed and improved for #oklaed to ever fully prosper.
A3:To becomes a top 10 state, teachers need to be made to feel what we are doing is valued. Parents have a right for their child to have as much money spent on them as neighboring states #OklaEd
A3: Not a fan of "top ten" rhetoric without evidence of a significant paradigm shift in #oklaed. So, how about just focusing on how we can get better. This starts and end with quality teachers and building admin. It's not complicated. Great teachers and principals=great schools.
A4: Emergency certified teachers need to receive additional training and everyone needs to work together to ensure #oklaed remains a priority - without taking away from other necessary expenditures within the state.
A4 There must be a real commitment to put Oklahoma first in education and all social services programs. Our citizens deserve better than they are getting. #oklaed
A4 #oklaed Money and respect. It always comes down to these two elements. Fund public education as well as the states we want to be like. Give teachers the respect, time, and resources they need to develop professionally-sound practices.
A4: Bipartisan collaborations happening at the Capitol regarding education is a must! No more deals, just making my students a priority. Stop settling for being dead last, and let’s invest in our future (students). #oklaed
@StittforGov@joy4ok@mattpinnel Would love to have you visit Purcell anytime!! Short trip down I-35. Work with some amazing people!! Love to show them offf!! #oklaed
A4 - Invite teachers to the table. Yes @StittforGov even us union members :)
Also, true investment. No more cuts. We have to pay for stuff somehow. Also, can we stop with the audit education stuff? Education is the most audited agency out there. #oklaed
One way to invest in students is to reinstate the #NBCT stipends to career teachers who stay in the classroom and provide leadership. #NBCTStrong#oklaed
A4) The partisan political bickering has got to stop! How can we effectively do anything when everyone is so convinced that they are right that they refuse to consider other ideas? #OklaEd
A3 I think an increase in per pupil spending would be in order to become top 10 in education. In 2016, NY spent $22,000 per S. We spent $8,000. We have a long way to go! #oklaedhttps://t.co/SJiXiFJS00
S need & dsrve healthy partnerships ($ and philosophical) between school/family/community & deserve T who feel supported in working for betterment of each child (not arbitrary/distant measures of success as indicated on standardized tests). Our S deserve wise adults! #OklaEd
A3c #oklaed ...but seriously, let's get out of the bottom ten for funding, and then stay out of the bottom ten. Without that, any talk of joining the top ten is pointless.
A4: Truly investing in education. Hard to operate on a 10 yr old budget. Dedicated revenue streams would be a good start. Do what’s best for kids regardless of party affiliation. #oklaed
A4: Work together (our children are not partisan) to increase per pupil funding, additional supports in the classroom to meet the needs of students, decrease class sizes, listen to teachers and the reality of the situation #oklaed
A4 highly qualified/certified teachers who are paid professional wages and compensated for education and experience good schools attract good business’s which attract more jobs / #OklaEd
A4: Depends on what Gov Stitt means when he say's top ten. I would love to see #oklaed be recognized as a national leader for education innovation, for re-imagining secondary education , for developing our teaching profession, for taking care of our kids...
One way to invest in students is to reinstate the #NBCT stipends to career teachers who stay in the classroom and provide leadership. #NBCTStrong#oklaed
A4b - Please invest in our state. My students NEED investment in ALL core services. They need a better quality of life before, during, and after school hours. #oklaed
A4 - communication and respect. bipartisan - oklaed should not be about a political party. listen to the experts in the field and you will learn what needs to be done. #oklaed
A4 pt 2
Beating a dead 🐴 here, but teacher incentives! respecting our teachers as the professionals they are, is the best. We must provide them with what they need, and get out of their way. teachers will not only stay here, but we’ll attract others from other states #oklaed
#oklaed this looks right! TLI has been working with all educators across the state regardless of whether they are K-12, tech, or higher ed and it has surfaced some really interesting discussion about teacher pipelines. Whoever is talking with @StittforGov is dropping knowledge
What I heard in 2018:
-Prepare kids w/skills to thrive in job market of tomorrow
-Set standards that are as rigorous as those across nation
-Allow local communities more authority over teaching responsibilities
-Force more collaboration btwn K12, career tech, higher ed
#oklaed A4
A4b Let me ask the question a different way. Do you believe that #oklaed is good overall at doing what the state has asked us to do? If yes, can we change and be good at something different? If not, do we need to get better at what we're doing now, or change the task first?
A3) Benchmarks for Top10State: AVG ACT 23.8. Highly Certif. Teachers stay in Norman, OKC, Edmond, TUL instead of Dallas, Denton, Kansas City, Little Rock. 33.7% of Oklahomans have Bachelor's degree, Child poverty rate less than 10% @OklaEd@shawnhime@StittforGov#oklaed
In reply to
@shawnhime, @OklaEd, @shawnhime, @StittforGov
A2b: I don’t claim to know how this all works, but I’m gonna say it a little louder so the people in the back can hear. Adjustments are needed and it will take some outside of the box thinking for this to occur. Let’s not be about the fluff/Talk. @StittforGov#oklaed#BMEsTalk
A2: Some way, staffing formulas need to be adjusted to fit the needs of the school site. Programs like foreign languages are cut, and thus crippling certain learners in their academic journey.. One size fits one. #oklaed#BMEsTalk
A4: invests in us, stop comparing students that are coming from completely different backgrounds, stop acting like students are all the same, start respecting teaching as a profession, invest in us, and also invest in us. #oklaed
Before the teacher walkout legislators were not participating in the #oklaed chats. That just really started happening since the primaries when so many educators unseated so many #okleg. It shouldn’t have taken that but I’m glad you’re here. Now let’s work together! #oklaed
A4: Needs to be a team effort. Bipartisan solutions from the #okleg and face the reality that different districts have different needs. There is not a one size fits all model that works! #OklaEd
I’d love to read from #oklaed participants how you’d like to see Oklahoma define #TopTen success in education. How do we measure it? Do you focus on ACT/SAT scores? NAEP scores? graduation rates? Look forward to your chat @shawnhime & everyone’s input
Tonight’s #OklaEd chat will focus on the upcoming legislative session: Gov. Stitt’s top 10 plan, the education budget and policy legislation. Be ready to share your ideas about the most important actions we can take to provide a better opportunity for #OklaEd children.
A4: Investment in Core Services
STEM $ Investments
Bi-Partisan work -throw out party lines and unify for our Kids, Our Future, Our State.
SEL/Whole Child
Not be okay w mediocrity investments.
Listen to those w expertise
No unfunded mandates
#OklaEd
A1 increased investment in schools/teachers has helped relieve some of the stress co-workers experience financially. This has allowed them to focus more on their students. I believe our PD fund also saw a boost which benefits Ss.
#oklaed
I would argue we have set high quality rigorous standards and assessments to go with. We need to support to provide the world class education everyday in the classroom. #oklaed
What I heard in 2018:
-Prepare kids w/skills to thrive in job market of tomorrow
-Set standards that are as rigorous as those across nation
-Allow local communities more authority over teaching responsibilities
-Force more collaboration btwn K12, career tech, higher ed
#oklaed A4
A4 Mental health, incarceration, poverty, etc. all issues that affect Ss and families before they make it to the classroom. Once we tackle these issues, then we’ll begin to see advancement in education around the state. #oklaed
@StittforGov@shawnhime#oklaed. And this one too. $10,000 per pupil funding is needed to be Top Ten State. with tax brackets for income and property tax like Top Ten States. @OklaEd
A4: Per Pupil Funding = to Top Ten; Respect for the work that educators do; Addressing the critical social and emotional needs of Oklahoma's families; District flexibility to appropriately serve it's patrons #oklaed
A4: We must have further communication, transparency & accountability. We must ensure teachers don’t walkout out of classrooms before being heard and offered a seat at the table. #oklaed
Connect schools with @OKhighered & @okcareertech to further establish pipelines for students
In reply to
@shawnhime, @OKhighered, @okcareertech
A4 -- Respect the professionals...in the district offices, in the administration, in the classrooms. Respect the parents who send us their very best children and want to work with us. RESPECT...listen to the professionals. #OklaEd
A5). We treat new #okleg just like veteran POLs which we treat just like our Ss, Ps, & other #alexps stakeholders. We start a relationship and we build on it. We invite them into our classrooms. We invite them to our S’s activities. We ask them to get to get involved #oklaed
A5: Standing invitation for any elected official in the Tulsa area or state to visit Tulsa MET & see what we are doing as an alternative school. Focus on relationships, relevance, rigor. #studentfocus#oklaed
A4: We need to get out of the bottom 5 in so many areas of our citizenry. That only comes to fruition with a focus on Oklahomans.
For #oklaed, that means a long-range plan similar to roads and bridges. We cannot be a flash in the pan. We need consistency and TRUST.
Right now, we need to agree on a target. No matter how good we get at hitting one, if it's the wrong one it is wasted effort. Start by defining the task, then go from there. #OklaEd
A4 Many of our challenge spots are vicious cycles: issues outside of education have correlation and causation to what goes on in the classroom. We have to focus on breaking those cycles, as opposed to bandaging the wound and dusting our hands. #OklaEd
A5) Our two representatives, Speaker McCall & Rep Townley are attending a #daviswolves faculty luncheon on our Jan 7 professional day to listen to teachers & speak to them on the upcoming session. We greatly appreciate our reps dedicating their time to collaborate. #oklaed
To increase our ACT avg., we need to start in elementary. I have freshman saying, "I don't read" and "I don't write." Ss must be nurtured through the process of discovering who they are as readers & writers so they are willing to engage in both. #oklaed
A3) Benchmarks for Top10State: AVG ACT 23.8. Highly Certif. Teachers stay in Norman, OKC, Edmond, TUL instead of Dallas, Denton, Kansas City, Little Rock. 33.7% of Oklahomans have Bachelor's degree, Child poverty rate less than 10% @OklaEd@shawnhime@StittforGov#oklaed
In reply to
@shawnhime, @OklaEd, @shawnhime, @StittforGov
A4 We need to be prepared to provide for all students. The options for students must be available for each student, in every classroom, in every corner of state, not just those lucky to have “that” school or teacher. #oklaed
A5: We have meetings set up w/some on how to ensure federal $ is used to support effective practices in each #oklaed classroom. Here's one of many tools.
A5 #oklaed Honestly, more slowly than I had hoped for. Trying to change that as soon as possible. Visit their offices. Invite them to our activities. Show them the initiatives our district has in place to reach all students.
A5 As a legislator, I’m all 👂to my constituents, as we all should be as reps. I’m attempting to unite all newly and oldie former educators up at Capitol no matter party, to get to know each other, pass ideas, prevent more walkouts. ✊🏼#oklaed
A4) Of course, per pupil funding. But to add to this, it is about retaining talent. The cost of teacher turnover is significant so per pupil funding will mean nothing if we don't actively bring people into the profession and support teachers properly. #oklaed
A3 College and/or career preparedness. ID students early for career or college track and cater to their needs to get them there. Ensure they get what they need without remediation. #OklaEd
A5: I cannot wait to work closely with my new representative @Conley4House! I will continue to be a vocal and personal advocate for all of Oklahoma, but especially #oklaed. We have some new fresh faces that I am really pumped about. #bipartisanship can be a real thing in #okleg!
A5) I support all of our legislators who are willing to listen and help. I understand the time and process to get something done.But I also remember the first outing I attended in Oklahoma in 2015 when a legislator said education was overfunded.He was unwilling to listen. #oklaed
A5 -- I'll be visiting the Capitol and legislators' offices...I will be reading bills and contacting legislators to talk about how I can help support their work. Leggies will probably get tired of seeing my face. #oklaed
A5: I am really fortunate to already know my new senator and returning house rep but come January I will be spending time building relationships with the members of the #okleg that represent the students and families I serve #oklaed
I’m a parent and a pediatric Speech Language Pathologist. I joined Twitter just tonight for this chat. A5: Emailing, phone calls and constant engagement. #oklaed
A5 -- I'll be visiting the Capitol and legislators' offices...I will be reading bills and contacting legislators to talk about how I can help support their work. Leggies will probably get tired of seeing my face. #oklaed
A5 My Rep was re-elected...I’m anxious to see if he will be the advocated for education that he has promised. We have to communicate with our reps and hold them accountable. #OklaEd
A5. We need to be in constant communication with #okleg. Inviting to our classrooms and events in the school. And send them our concerns whenever we have one. #oklaed
A3. I think one indicator ought to be whether teachers WANT to work in the state. A “Top 10 in Education” state shouldn’t see teachers fleeing to other states or the private sector. #oklaed
A5) I hope we can continue to share the concerns we’ve heard on the doorsteps from across the state. Each House/Senate district is just as important as the other...but HD30 will always be the best. IJS #oklaed
A5: Reaching out to legislators, building relationships with newly elected and strengthening relationship with those returning. Attending events, inviting them to visit, will begin working withTs to develop advocacy groups for positive working relationships. #OklaEd
@OklaEd A4: The leg & Gov have to abandon the failed fiscal policy of trying to cut our way to prosperity. The state is desperate for deep investments in health, edu, public safety. You can’t make those by eroding an already dwindling tax base. #oklaEd
The K20 Center would love to formally and publicly invite both @StittforGov and @mattpinnell to our facility for a tour and conversation.
We are here to serve #oklaed and believe we can help bridge the gap!
I have not built a relationship with them yet, but I plan to reach out and build a relationship soon. I want them in our classrooms to see the struggles we endure and the successes we achieve. #oklaED
I’m a parent and a pediatric Speech Language Pathologist. I joined Twitter just tonight for this chat. A5: Emailing, phone calls and constant engagement. #oklaed
Need to start now. We have their attention. Many are looking at #OklaEd for the first time in a long time. My #oklaleg didn’t change but need to start rebuilding the relationship.
A5) I’ll be striving to start an email conversation our new Rep and hopefully get him to understand where we are. If I can get to be face to face meetings, even better. Unfortunately I don’t know that my Senator (Daniels) can be convinced of anything. #oklaed
A5 -- If you haven't already, contact your legislators and invite them for coffee. Get to know them. Build a relationship. Learn about them and their goals. Share yours. Get to know their legislative assistants. Look for ways to be a strong partner. #oklaed
A5: We asked @afugate our new state rep in Del City to have lunch and speak to some of our students. He came to our school and asked our students what they needed. We need more of our elected officials to genuinely listen to our students! #oklaed
A5: I'm not great at building those relationships, have always been busy focusing on my kiddos, but I see that communication between teachers and legislators will help my Ss as much if not more. #OklaEd
@StittforGov we can"set standards" AND Legislature must fund #oklaed to overcome adverse childhood experience of Okla's high poverty & incarceration & abuse & foster care rates. Low class size, wrap-around services & shared social capital are needed to meet standards. @shawnhime
What I heard in 2018:
-Prepare kids w/skills to thrive in job market of tomorrow
-Set standards that are as rigorous as those across nation
-Allow local communities more authority over teaching responsibilities
-Force more collaboration btwn K12, career tech, higher ed
#oklaed A4
Education can't be just about college/career readiness. Some students aren't going to see the value in reading and writing beyond just their career aspirations. They need to see value in education at a personal level--and now, not just for their future lives. #OklaEd
A3 College and/or career preparedness. ID students early for career or college track and cater to their needs to get them there. Ensure they get what they need without remediation. #OklaEd
A5 continuing conversations with legislators, joining Parent Legislative Action Committee to set legislative goals and setting up Capitol visits #oklaed
A5: I started last spring by engaging with candidates who ran in my district! I follow and engage with my rep on social media (including #oklaed chats!) and will be making some visits to OKC this spring to see her in person and discuss public education.
A5: I talk regularly to several #okleg. What I need to work on, is crossing the aisle and engaging with (R) Representatives and Senators. Full transparency. It’s a 2019 goal for me. I have about 3 I have a relationship with. I hope to increase this number. #oklaed
A5 I'm mtg or have met w all of the Supt.'s of the school dist.'s I represent. Continuing relationships w @OSSBAoklahoma@joy4ok@CCOSA@okea@okc_aft and having face to face meetings with Republican and Democratic Senators and Representatives. #oklaed
I would also argue that wrap around services are critical for student success. That every student in every school can eat two hot meals a day. That our school day become more flexible for our communities. #oklaed
The K20 Center would love to formally and publicly invite both @StittforGov and @mattpinnell to our facility for a tour and conversation.
We are here to serve #oklaed and believe we can help bridge the gap!
A4: Oklahoma must create a lot germ revenue plan to reach a Top Ten average per pupil investment allowing for additional teaching staff, class size reduction, much needed resources, counseling... #oklaed
I agree -- it's so hard. What if you made a 'coffee date' on a Saturday morning...just an hour. Then your emails will remind them of your conversation. I KNOW how hard it is. Start small. #oklaed
A5: I have already spoken with all of the state reps in my district, touring schools with @proven4oklahoma in the near future and Ross Ford shows up for Pizza day at the middle school every month! #oklaed
The Oklahoma Parents and Educators for Public Education Facebook group does a good job at this. @angmlittle is a great example to follow for guidance on building relationships. #oklaed
A5: Tell our story every chance we get, stay connected with our #okleg invite them to our schools, stay involved in the process. Communication is key. #oklaed
Q4: The degradation of education didn’t happen overnight. It’s going to take a lot of us working together and having bipartisan ideas to put it back together. We are seriously divided. #OklaEd
Yes, this has to be a major focus going forward. We know what the data says about our state to do nothing would be educational/legislative malpractice #oklaed
A6 - Governor Stitt should propose a multi year #OklaEd funding plan bringing the state per pupil expenditures to the regional average, to equip schools with the tools and resources to improve student achievement and produce college- and career-ready students.
A6) @StittforGov please use the surplus revenue to adequately fund social services for children. IMO, the best thing you could do to make the biggest impact in #oklaed is to give children the support they need when they need it the most.
A5: We have welcomed our local legislators to @BixbyPS for lunch and school visits and will host a legislative forum in Bixby on Jan 28. #Oklaed must be as committed in supporting & communicating w/ our legislators as we expect them to be in supporting & communicating w/ us.
@OklaEd A4: The leg & Gov have to abandon the failed fiscal policy of trying to cut our way to prosperity. The state is desperate for deep investments in health, edu, public safety. You can’t make those by eroding an already dwindling tax base. #oklaEd
This revenue growth is a good sign that Oklahomans are gainfully employed, our economy is expanding and opportunities are growing. Oklahoma’s tax base is strong. But we must also recognize that this figure was based on a higher oil price than seen today. A6 #oklaed
What a wonderful idea! I love all you do on our behalf, but I'm looking forward to testing the waters of communication a little myself. Thanks for setting the bar! #oklaed
A5: To hear again “your name is familiar” when I go to make an appointment for some time to chat - because I will be. I’m looking forward to having genuine conversation & an open attempt to make a better future for OK through #oklaed
A2: Hiring more teachers (smaller classes). Increasing funding for PD allowing better networking and sharing. Continued increase in pay so teachers can focus more fully on their career with less financial stress.
#oklaed
Just want to wish you guys a happy new year. I need a break from politics for the next few days so that is why I am not on the chat tonight. The shutdown is affecting my household and I am not in a good place. #oklaED
A5: I have had discussions with both my representatives (Pugh & M. Osburn) regarding our district’s needs - including education. I encourage everyone to invite your legislators to see your schools, interact with your students and listen to your teachers. They will!! #oklaed
Yes, this has to be a major focus going forward. We know what the data says about our state to do nothing would be educational/legislative malpractice #oklaed
#oklaed the Bixby PLAC is building relationships before the session starts with legislators and are confident this is a step in the right direction to make a positive impact for OK schools, students, parents, and teachers
Q4 We must address mental health. We have many children coming into our classrooms suffering from trauma. Our school counselors are overwhelmed from preparing for testing and not able to assist those children. #Oklaed#oklaED
A6
We MUST realize that if we want to be top 10 in anything other than poor health outcomes, incarceration, and STDs, we MUST invest in all of our core state services, ESP our public schools. It isn’t rocket science. Bet rocket scientists agree with me tho #Oklaed
A6 #oklaed Take a good, hard look at @joy4ok's budget request. More money for the formula (to add to raises and decrease class sizes). And a separate line item for counselors. We need to have better student:counselor ratios in our schools too.
A6: Invest in our future by increasing the spending that supports our students, their families, and the teachers and administrators that serve them #oklaed
A6: Is that increased over last years collections or the estimate for FY 19? b. We need to invest in recruiting and retaining quality teachers. #oklaED
I am proud to know my rep and senator personally. I feel they represent us admirably. I am hugely concerned big money lobby is going to influence policy like they have in this state for 100 years. Newbies will be easy pickings. #oklaed
A5) We recently invited a whole group of #okleg to our upcoming conference on February 27... when they are in session! So we have to go to them. But at least many of them know about our organization now since we are new to #oklaed
A6) The hot topic is education. Parents want a better education and future for their kids. The education budget was 3.8 Billion 10 years ago. It’s 2.9 Billion now. I understand that all 612 million can’t go to education. But at least 60% of that needs to be invested in #OklaEd
A6) Look for revenue that is not a one-time occurrence and will not be dipped into by other agencies. Create a set level funding formula that is sustainable and meets the needs of the state. Give localities the ability to use funds as needed and not so restrictive. #oklaed
A6: Prioritize #oklaed. Top state, always Mass., achieves about 50% of Ss passing NAEP; OK about 30%. We can do this if we fund it! https://t.co/0Nfwq39sYE
A6) Use wisdom when establishing priorities for increasing budgets. #oklaed is a foundation for our state and making it a priority sends a message for marked and focused improvement.
A6: Continue to make investments in Public Education, we need a Long Term plan not just 1-2 yr shots in the arm. We need ongoing incremental investments. Core services and mental health for Ss & Families is critical as well. #OklaEd
A6 - I think it is pretty crazy to assume we could put a large chunk of it in a rainy day fund before we have paid our bills. I feel like we have to pay off our debt (restore funding to AT LEAST 2008 levels) before we start putting it away for emergencies. #oklaed
A4 -- Respect the professionals...in the district offices, in the administration, in the classrooms. Respect the parents who send us their very best children and want to work with us. RESPECT...listen to the professionals. #OklaEd
Couldn't agree more! Got a chance to talk with her about this week and am really inspired by the focus on doing what's right for kids through this budget #oklaed
A6 #oklaed Take a good, hard look at @joy4ok's budget request. More money for the formula (to add to raises and decrease class sizes). And a separate line item for counselors. We need to have better student:counselor ratios in our schools too.
A6) Services are in desperate need of funding to serve our families and Ss to help bring up with their well being, which in turn, will help them in the classroom. #oklaed
I hope everyone realizes how huge this is to have your state Governor participating in education dialog with educators and admin and beyond. We haven’t ever experienced this leadership before. This gives me hope for the future of my students and yours. #oklaed
Today’s oil & gas price means #okleg must be better and more diligent with next year’s budget. Need to end the practice of negotiating behind closed doors with special interest groups. Transparency and a better system for all Oklahomans. #oklaed
#oklaed Time, Choice, Learning conditions would make great benchmarks. The better we provide all three, equitably for ALL OK students, the better our educational system.
A6: I believe #oklaed needs to begin a fund, like 43 other states, focusing funds on capitol improvements for Oklahoma schools. Our students need safe, efficient, and up-to-date schools to learn in.
A6: I am happy for the increase in the state budget. We all know that $612M is not enough for all of the years of funding cuts in all departments. Create a TRUE funding source for #oklaed. Without it, the state will never truly prosper.
A6b) @StittforGov In addition to my previous comment, consider the services that overlap, like mental health and health care to have education as part of their funding so when the budget does get hit it isn't taking away from our children. #oklaed
Can we make all of our schools like @IPROMISESchool? I love that they have programs to help parents earn their GED. I think parent enrichment classes would be a wonderful addition to #oklaEd
Experts have told me we need at least $2 billion in state savings to weather another downturn. Today, Oklahoma has about $870 million in our Rainy Day account. Q6 #oklaed
A6. First figure how the state is wasting money. Then invest in education, social services and more. Make sure every ounce of income is actually being used correctly. #oklaed
A4. I’d still be in a public school classroom if I felt I could actually teach, but with 160+ papers to grade it’s impossible to make all kids better writers (not to mention forging the absolutely necessary relationships). Fix the class size problem, save the world. #oklaed
#oklaed A6: Drive south on I-44 towards the Texas border, and you'll see why people complain about the roads. The roads, the medical care, and education should be the focus. Don't forget about rural Oklahoma.
A6: Many core services need to be funded after years of neglect. 1, fund those services. 2, do not see this as prosperity and cut income so we have to deal with cuts again for the next ten years. #oklaEd
. @StittforGov get at me about DHS. A6) I contend education outcomes depend on meeting the needs of our children/families when they are outside the classroom, not just in the classroom. And we are so close from being out from under the Pinnacle Plan. #familiesfirst#oklaed
A6: invest in kids. Their education, their health, their mental state, their families, their future. There’s MANY ways you can invest in the kids and we need to start doing it. #oklaed
The Oklahoma Parents and Educators for Public Education Facebook group does a good job at this. @angmlittle is a great example to follow for guidance on building relationships. #oklaed
A6) There are many shortfalls in funding core services. All of these shortfalls affect our students both inside and outside of the classroom. Please allocate money to help our children learn by meeting their needs. #oklaEd
A6; I think the $612M is overly optimistic and fails to adequately reflect the current oil/gas prices. That said, we need to continue to fund #oklaed and other health/social services while building a larger reserve (Rainy Day Fund) to reduce impact of future revenue shortfalls.
A6) Figure out the best way to help our kids in need...social services, mental health, counseling, arts opportunities. Just don't spend it on testing. #OklaEd
Q6: 9,000 eligible for retirement in <3 years, 5,000 more Ts needed, 3,000 emergency certs. I think the answer is clear and that money needs to be used as an incentive to attract more educators. #OklaEd
Critical that #okleg end the frequent state "revenue shortfalls" that suck the life out of #oklaed one month and then a few more months down the road every fiscal year. ... JS
The state has major obligatory expenses that we must address-sum could exceed $200M.
We must cont. to investment in education that is student-centered &forward thinking. We must also consider ways to ⬆️our state's savings so that we can protect ed in future economic downturns.
A6: I'd like to see the Gov and the Leg focus on long term stable funding. I've been here through several oil booms and busts and I'm tired of depending on others to take care of our bills. Lets find a source that we can count on and you'll be amazed at how we blossom #OklaEd
A6 Continue to diversify the economy. When we get to the point that major dips in oil prices make us choose between prime rib and filet instead of going from prime rib to hamburger then we know we are where we belong #oklaed
Communication is the only way to solve Oklahoma’s problems, whether it be education, mental health, prison reforms. Tonight I am glad we are communicating with #oklaed to find solutions to help our students and teachers succeed in Oklahoma. @officialOKGOP
A6: I believe #oklaed needs to begin a fund, like 43 other states, focusing funds on capitol improvements for Oklahoma schools. Our students need safe, efficient, and up-to-date schools to learn in.
Actually, Governor, the increased revenue is because of the largest, bipartisan revenue increase in state history. The policy of investing instead of cutting taxes has given us this new money. Please remember that. Learning the lessons of the past mistakes is crucial. #oklaed
A3simplified: we need qualified people doing the quality things who care about the kids and do whatever it takes. Everything else will come. Stop measuring and start INVESTING. #oklaed
A6) When crafting an exec budget I would think about how any organization becomes top 10 in anything: create a great plan, invest in your people, and let them do their job. #oklaed
A7). Every child deserves the best T leading their classroom. And by the best, I mean the most effective T available. We must remove ALL barriers in law, policy, & #oklaed procedure that prevents this from happening. Salary, prestige, climate, culture, EVERYTHING.
#teachershortage is the biggest obstacle #oklaed students are confronted with. We need long term funding. Long term pay increases and real recruitment and retention
Sounds like one more reason for more diversity, variety, and an increase in where funding comes from so that this Rainy Day Fund is less likely to be needed #oklaed
A6: We need more #oklaed funding, but please don't forget that state parks, DHS, and other state departments shouldn't be cut. Any increase needs to be used wisely across all depts - just fund us first! ;-)
A7 All experienced Ts have to pull together and support our inexperienced colleagues. The best thing that I can do for my emergency certified neighbor is check in with him or her and have him or her know that my door is ALWAYS open. Takes a village, ya know #oklaed
As a state, I want us to continue focusing on honoring & restoring respect our teachers deserve. We need to recognize the countless hours you spend with students and the effect they have on students’ lives. #oklaed A7
A6: 1. Take the Medicaid expansion from the federal govt. 2. We must diversify our funding sources in this state so that we are not so tied to oil and gas. #oklaed#medicaid
A7 we need to provide the investment as support to begin to reverse the shortage first. Not far behind we need to rethink how we onboard emergency/alt cert teachers. We can do way better! #oklaed
A7 -- My biggest fear: we are burning out our career teachers as they face larger classes, and new teachers who desperately need guidance and mentoring. ALL educators need support. How could we address the needs of newbies in a systematic way? I want to help #oklaed
A7. Pay! You want teachers to stay in Oklahoma. You need to pay educators and provide services for new teachers to help them in their first couple of years. #oklaed
A7: We need investments in real mentoring and teacher developing programs. Proper training for mentors & mentees.
Pay is important, but climate is key. Teachers will not stay or join the ranks of #oklaed if the environment is toxic. We need to bring respect back for our T's.
A7: Strong support HAS to begin prior to teachers entering the classroom. Longer & paid internships for education majors, Paid internships for alternative/emergency certified candidates. Once trained, pay enough to keep them in #oklaed!
As a state, I want us to continue focusing on honoring & restoring respect our teachers deserve. We need to recognize the countless hours you spend with students and the effect they have on students’ lives. #oklaed A7
Cut out the stigma surrounding alt/emergency cents and provide SUPPORT. When I started teaching I was alt cert and hired 3 days before school and told to essentially “figure it out.” We can do better than that. #oklaed
#oklaed This is absolutely right! As an educator, I can always make an immediate connection to education - "All roads lead to education" is my line. But schools cannot do this without counseling, food assistance, SoonerStart, etc @TeachFromHere this is a #boomsauce for you!
A8 P1 Everything should be on the table: Tax incentives for teachers in tough to staff areas, low cost loans for homes, and any other public/private ideas to help our teachers move off the breadline.
Simply let teachers teach; respect our teachers as professionals #Oklaed
A6 Continue to restore funding that has been stripped away over the past 8 years to crucial services our Ss rely on. Across the board cuts have significantly impacted our most vulnerable and fragile Ss. #oklaed
A7: We need to ensure they are receiving additional training and have EFFECTIVE mentors in place. Show them how much teaching can mean and convince them to stay in the field! #oklaed
A7) New teachers need training. They need to be given ways to handle students and immediate development on boundaries, power struggles, and the proper way to handle disruptions without damaging learning. We need community and parental support to achieve quality teachers. #oklaed
6b Definitely take the Medicaid expansion. Our state health care system is dithering while that money has been refused for no good reason, for years. #oklaed
A7) Bring back the NBCT program with a requirement that they do service hours that could include mentoring teachers. Reach out to those of us who were emergency or alt cert and have stayed in the classroom. We an help. #OklaEd
A7) Tough one. Stopping the outflow is most important. The best resource for an inexperienced teacher is an experienced teacher. Classroom sizes, mental health resources, etc. are key to retaining experienced teachers. #oklaed
A6 Core services must be addressed to properly serve Oklahoma's families and children. Per pupil funding for public education must be a top priority along with core services #oklaed
@StittforGov I agree...we are here to help, to partner, to support...we love our students and our profession. We are fully invested in #oklaed and we need YOUR support.
It then becomes super critical for good professional development to be available for teachers to participate in. To do this there needs to be some funding for that and the opportunity for teachers to participate. #Oklaed
In reply to
@SmallGov4All, @JessRob, @StittforGov, @joy4ok
A7: look to those Top Ten states at the support structures they have in place. I can testify that as a Newbie, I had three years of PD. Each focused on a specific area (Classroom Management, Standards Allignment, & Assessment Accuracy)... I STILL use what I learned #OklaEd
A7 - Bring back mentoring programs. Increase funding so master Ts (potentially dept. chairs) could teach half day and serve as an instructional coach the other half day.
Do more to get HS Ss interested in teaching - scholarships for staying in OK like OU does. #oklaed.
I am so sick of the “if it’s not measured it doesn’t count” mentality. There is so much we do for children that can’t be measured. We need accountability. We need transparency. We need to accept that sometimes just being kind to another human being has value. #oklaed
In reply to
@SmallGov4All, @AubreeNoelle2, @EpicCharter, @KIPP, @joy4ok, @StittforGov, @OklahomaAFP
A6 Obviously some additional investments can and will be made in a number of areas, but the most recent experience instructs us to be frugal and to hold stronger reserves. #OklaEd
A7: The city of Tulsa provided some funding to give a bonus to specific teachers like ELL and teachers that allow student teachers in the classroom. Would love to have a bonus like that for veterans to "mentor" all new teachers not just emer cert. #oklaed
As a state, I want us to continue focusing on honoring & restoring respect our teachers deserve. We need to recognize the countless hours you spend with students and the effect they have on students’ lives. #oklaed A7
A7: Give those emergency cert teachers time to learn the craft and time to take the test. Rushing through the process never produces great results, but I know some pretty awesome alt/emer cert teachers that have turned out to be pretty freaking awesome #OklaEd
A6) @StittforGov Stop proposing partisan solutions drawn up by failing think tanks, Plenty of GOP majority states have looked at the numbers and reached better solutions for schools, health, courts & jobs. Stop political math & use business math. #oklaed@oklaed@shawnhime
A7. Inexperienced teachers need more options for PD and a safe environment to express their concerns and questions. We also need to work on making OK schools appealing to teachers from not only OK but other states through pay, classroom funding, and legislative support. #oklaed
A7: Provide EC Ts with extra support, PD and mentorships. Many will become amazing teachers if given the resources and support from their admin. #OklaEd
All teachers need increased support and respect as professionals. EC teachers are in a tough situation and are expected to do even more with even less. We have to stem the flow of teachers leaving the state. Wish I had that answer. #oklaed
A7 Competitive pay...and meeting the national average in pay won’t cut it...there’s a reason that the teacher shortage is nation wide. New teachers need to be supported in areas of classroom management and Trama Informed Interventions. #OklaEd
A7: The certified Ts can handle supporting the Emerg cert. Ts, we need state leadership to handle ensuring that the number of emerg. Cert. starts decreasing rather than the current trend. This isn’t acceptable and reflects poorly on our state. #oklaed
A7: Clearly, teacher training for the person in any OK classroom today is a key step. Providing a salary that will get the best #oklaed teachers back into our classrooms would help also.
#oklaEd wrap around services should be a huge priority, public ed teachers are faced with more responsibilities every year... unfortunately they are not equipped to provide all the support their students need to learn @StittforGov and @mattpinnell
In reply to
@TeachFromHere, @StittforGov, @mattpinnell
A7 educators(future¤t) need to feel supported, respected & cared for. lower the class sizes, give them classroom support - they can't continue to carry the burden while feeling isolated and unheard. #oklaed
Smaller class sizes and effective RTI resources. Eg: Reading Specialists, Reading Labs, etc. We spend a great deal of time testing our S’s and collecting data, but we MUST have effective RTI or the data is useless. #Oklaed
I am so sick of the “if it’s not measured it doesn’t count” mentality. There is so much we do for children that can’t be measured. We need accountability. We need transparency. We need to accept that sometimes just being kind to another human being has value. #oklaed
In reply to
@SmallGov4All, @AubreeNoelle2, @EpicCharter, @KIPP, @joy4ok, @StittforGov, @OklahomaAFP
A8 P2
Listen to and do what veteran teachers are asking for!
Listen to experts at UCO about what they need to incentivize teachers to go thru pro teaching progs
Invest in our schools and make it a job peeps for which peeps will fight!
I could go on #Oklaed
A7: Continued training for new teachers. Increasing salaries and properly funding classrooms is a start. Being respected by our elected officials is another big step. Our schools have been not been a priority for a number of years. It will take time to right that ship! #oklaed
#oklaed. The national graduation rate is 44%. Oklahoma falls short of this. If we want to bring business to Oklahoma we need a better educated workforce. I agree, loans are a big problem. This can also be done by expanding access to concurrent enrollment. Neb. is a good ex.
@StittforGov college graduation is fine but retaining those educated here is more important. Convert all higher education funding to student loans with the taxes paid by the student being counted as repayment. If the student leaves the state or doesn’t work, they must repay.
A7 ensure new Ts are paired w a good, supportive mentor and ensure that veteran Ts are receiving support; decrease class size, increase pay, make sure classrooms have needed resources. #oklaed
This should be common sense, but...umm... when someone new asks you a question, don’t treat them like it was the dumbest question in the world. Be gracious and HELP THEM #oklaEd
#oklaed You are tremendous! Unfortunately, when there is a huge demand on YOUR time and your job is consistently challenged or changed, it becomes exhausting to carry the weight of a 4-year program (or other high quality alt cert pathways).
A7: look to those Top Ten states at the support structures they have in place. I can testify that as a Newbie, I had three years of PD. Each focused on a specific area (Classroom Management, Standards Allignment, & Assessment Accuracy)... I STILL use what I learned #OklaEd
A7b #oklaed Maybe instead of the next billionaire philanthropist funding Big Standardized Tests, we can encourage one to fund scholarships for teacher prep candidates and student loan relief for starting teachers.
I am so sick of the “if it’s not measured it doesn’t count” mentality. There is so much we do for children that can’t be measured. We need accountability. We need transparency. We need to accept that sometimes just being kind to another human being has value. #oklaed
In reply to
@SmallGov4All, @AubreeNoelle2, @EpicCharter, @KIPP, @joy4ok, @StittforGov, @OklahomaAFP
As a state, I want us to continue focusing on honoring & restoring respect our teachers deserve. We need to recognize the countless hours you spend with students and the effect they have on students’ lives. #oklaed A7
A7) Mentoring is critical as is quality PD. Colleagues and admin must facilitate communication and support for new/alt/emergency certified teachers. #oklaed
A7: To build & maintain a sustainable, high quality teaching force in #oklaed will require higher pay, more teacher autonomy, greater respect, more support for children w/ learning challenges, more mental health & family supports, & reduced emphasis on test scores, just to start.
A7b: We’re talking personal convos & week-long sessions with gurus in Portland, Chicago, etc. Your want the BEST teachers? OK has scores HUNGRY to be just that, but cannot get to these trainings themselves. Start some serious PD grants for #oklaed as a start.
A7: look to those Top Ten states at the support structures they have in place. I can testify that as a Newbie, I had three years of PD. Each focused on a specific area (Classroom Management, Standards Allignment, & Assessment Accuracy)... I STILL use what I learned #OklaEd
A7: The crisis has made education as a profession unappealing to today’s college students, just look at teach ed #’s. Make it more appealing to be an educator by treating it as a worthwhile profession. #oklaed
A6 #oklaed Take a good, hard look at @joy4ok's budget request. More money for the formula (to add to raises and decrease class sizes). And a separate line item for counselors. We need to have better student:counselor ratios in our schools too.
Wm. Stubbs joining in late... A7: We need to reassess the multiple tests required for teachers to be certified. The rigors associated with teaching make test prep/passing a true task for some. #oklaed
I am so sick of the “if it’s not measured it doesn’t count” mentality. There is so much we do for children that can’t be measured. We need accountability. We need transparency. We need to accept that sometimes just being kind to another human being has value. #oklaed
In reply to
@SmallGov4All, @AubreeNoelle2, @EpicCharter, @KIPP, @joy4ok, @StittforGov, @OklahomaAFP
JACOB: LET TEACHERS TEACH. I’m good at my job, I’m motivated, I love my kids, I buy all my curriculum, and do STEAM in my own room, my test scores are amazing. I won’t leave my beloved profession over money. #OklaEd
A7: To build & maintain a sustainable, high quality teaching force in #oklaed will require higher pay, more teacher autonomy, greater respect, more support for children w/ learning challenges, more mental health & family supports, & reduced emphasis on test scores, just to start.
The purpose is going to be different for every student. That's why Ts need small class sizes and time outside the classroom. They need to be able to know their students and plan curriculum that will nurture those students. #oklaed
A6 If the goal is to reach regional averages in investment (which is a moving target), we will have to make above average additions to investment. The only way this happens is if local communities/school boards are involved too. #OklaEd
A7) Ongoing training/PD & support are big for both inexperienced & experienced Ts. Continue w Pay increases, it will take time to restore the pipeline. We repeatedly hear Ts need support (Counselors, specialists, instructional coaches, resources, class sizes,SEL, etc.) #OklaEd
A7: Emergency certified Ts need a team of support working with them, not just a mentor teacher next door. If they can’t pass the certification test they more then likely are weak in the classroom #oklaed
A8) Face to face, digital, civic clubs, newspaper, community forum, engage them in our teams/committees & volunteer partnerships/mentorships. Not only share good news but listen for ways to improve. #cpsreds team presents across OK/USA to share #oklaed best practice. 💛🌪🏆
This revenue growth is a good sign that Oklahomans are gainfully employed, our economy is expanding and opportunities are growing. Oklahoma’s tax base is strong. But we must also recognize that this figure was based on a higher oil price than seen today. A6 #oklaed
A7: We need investments in real mentoring and teacher developing programs. Proper training for mentors & mentees.
Pay is important, but climate is key. Teachers will not stay or join the ranks of #oklaed if the environment is toxic. We need to bring respect back for our T's.
A7b) Let's be careful not to paint the emergency certified teacher as the villain. There are many good educators who started as an emergency certified teacher. It is all in the development and mentoring of these individuals that will help make or break them. #Oklaed
#oklaed A7: Provide more training for classroom management and instructional strategies, pair them with a mentor teacher, lower health insurance premiums, and increase salaries.
A8: Social media sites for S's, T's, Parents, Community. Developing newsletter for start of second semester. Will begin sharing via email to elected officials! @tulsametjh@TulsaSchools#OklaEd
I am so sick of the “if it’s not measured it doesn’t count” mentality. There is so much we do for children that can’t be measured. We need accountability. We need transparency. We need to accept that sometimes just being kind to another human being has value. #oklaed
In reply to
@SmallGov4All, @AubreeNoelle2, @EpicCharter, @KIPP, @joy4ok, @StittforGov, @OklahomaAFP
A8: by offering an open door. They’re free to visit my classroom anytime. @EmilyVirginOK visited my students once. My students fell in love of course. Who wouldn’t?! #oklaed
A7 The pay gap btwn Ts & other professions requiring a 4 yr. degree is 28% in yr 1. Recruiting Ts is going to take additional investment to make wages competitive. We need to streamline the alternative pathway to cert and incentivize the traditional route. #oklaed
I believe Oklahoma can have a Top Ten education system. From creating a universal PreK program, to securing teachers a much-needed pay raise, to shoring up teacher retirement, progress is being made in Okla. But there is still more to do.. #oklaed
A7: 1. Competitive salaries and benefits 2. Smaller more appropriate class sizes 3. appropriate supplies, materials, resources 4. Funding for professional development 5. Respect and support 6. Core services and support for families #oklaed
I taught with emergency certs four of my first five years. I needed extra support, which was spotty for me, and I did ask a lot of questions...but I stuck with it and retired with 39 years. #oklaed
A6) My advice would be allowing someone from every state agency to have a seat at the table before deciding. It’s important to hear from those doing the work. #oklaed
My commitment in leading us there is to keep listening to you - parents, teachers, superintendents, board members, school counselors, and to keep problem solving by looking at what others are doing across the nation. #oklaed
Professional Development. And time for teachers to participate without feeling pressured by missing classes.
Rethink our school day. See my earlier tweet about educators in other countries. They are not in front of students 90% of their work week.
They have time for PD.
#oklaed
A7b #oklaed Maybe instead of the next billionaire philanthropist funding Big Standardized Tests, we can encourage one to fund scholarships for teacher prep candidates and student loan relief for starting teachers.
A7) TLI does just that. We partner with school districts to help execute an effective, instructional and research-based strategy for novice educators. We start by providing a direct service through training and coaching and then build internal capacity to continue #oklaed
A8) Utilizing social media and email to the fullest. Not just for my own programs either. Programs Hs wto get over their egos show your stakeholders, Ls, and anyone you know what good things your Ss are doing. #oklaed
I could not agree more. First step HAS to be eliminating unnecessary and expensive state mandated testing. SB9 passing through the legislature again and getting a Gov signature this time would be relief for every high school statewide immediately #oklaed
A7: Continue taking steps which change the dialog about teaching in OK. Lower class sizes so Ts can connect with and meet Ss needs. Trust them as professionals. #oklaed
More government money is not the answer alone. We must pursue reform that empowers local communities. We need families engaged, working together w/the school to help every child. We need to not fear data & its potential to unlock better understanding. #oklaed
A8. By inviting them to@my campus. I have had @joy4ok and a state board member visit. As well as local legislators not just to@meet with me and admin but also to interact with students. #oklaEd
Instructional coaches should be in their classrooms more than any other teachers’. They should be coaching, maybe even some co-teaching. Am I right, @OklahomaTli? #oklaEd
A7: Simply put we aren’t doing enough!! I asked this question in the Walkout page. They appreciated the fact I even cared enough to ask them. They are drowning. Our veteran teachers are drowning. #OklaEd
A7b #oklaed Maybe instead of the next billionaire philanthropist funding Big Standardized Tests, we can encourage one to fund scholarships for teacher prep candidates and student loan relief for starting teachers.
Teachers - thank you for answering the call to inspire children to see their full portential and to being on the frontline of making Okla a Top Ten state! #oklaed
A7b: We’re talking personal convos & week-long sessions with gurus in Portland, Chicago, etc. Your want the BEST teachers? OK has scores HUNGRY to be just that, but cannot get to these trainings themselves. Start some serious PD grants for #oklaed as a start.
A7: look to those Top Ten states at the support structures they have in place. I can testify that as a Newbie, I had three years of PD. Each focused on a specific area (Classroom Management, Standards Allignment, & Assessment Accuracy)... I STILL use what I learned #OklaEd
Also, NPS plans to continue the walkout by sending delegates to the Capitol once session resumes. We are not finished! NPS was one of the leader school districts during the walkout. #oklaed
Sure, and it's important to also look at metrics that are important to developing our students into life-long learners, who are prepared to be engaged citizens. Test scores are not the only measure #oklaed
In reply to
@SmallGov4All, @StittforGov, @joy4ok, @AFPhq, @EpicCharter, @KIPP
A8 - By having them come to my school to witness it! Isn’t that the best way to do it?! Social media is great, but at the end of the day face-to-face surpasses it all! #oklaed
I want to the first to say THANK YOU to @shawnhime for this amazing chat. It makes me proud as an #oklaed educator to see @StittforGov@joy4ok & all the state Sen&Reps in this chat. We all want want is best for OKLAHOMA’s children. There is more that units us than divides us
So true! Anyone who wants to pay toward my student loans FROM 2006 is welcome to! Don't worry, I only have 11 years left since they were the "wrong type" toqualify for repayment. Ugh! #oklaed
A7b #oklaed Maybe instead of the next billionaire philanthropist funding Big Standardized Tests, we can encourage one to fund scholarships for teacher prep candidates and student loan relief for starting teachers.
A8) I invite them to our schools, use social media, and tell our story. We need to work to make our key influencers our education partners. We all should ‘own’ this work together. #oklaed
A8) I am lucky to have such great relationships with many of the districts I represent. @SapulpaDistrict@BixbyPS@glenpoolps And much love to Kiefer, Mounds, Liberty, and Lone Star! #oklaed
Excited to have our soon-to-be new Governor involved and hands-on with #oklaed Great step in the right direction for public ed.... let’s keep moving forward! There’s a lot of work to be done.
Good evening #oklaed! My intro to Okla public schools was in 1st grade when we moved to Wayne, OK. We then moved to Norman where I graduated a Norman Tiger! During #okgov race, I enjoyed getting to revisit my alma mater when they hosted an #okgov ed forum for the community.
I want to the first to say THANK YOU to @shawnhime for this amazing chat. It makes me proud as an #oklaed educator to see @StittforGov@joy4ok & all the state Sen&Reps in this chat. We all want want is best for OKLAHOMA’s children. There is more that units us than divides us
I believe Oklahoma can have a Top Ten education system. From creating a universal PreK program, to securing teachers a much-needed pay raise, to shoring up teacher retirement, progress is being made in Okla. But there is still more to do.. #oklaed
A8: If you have known me for long you probably roll your eyes every time I say "At Union..." 😁 Every day I brag on the amazing staff, students, parents and community partners we have. Their work deserves to be celebrated!! #oklaed
A8) thanks for the continued prompting to encourage communication! Sitting back and complaining on social media does nothing but stir the pot. We have to keep the convos going at all levels #oklaed
A8: As an advocate, I’m connecting with teachers within my community and #oklaed Edmond teachers, I’m interested in learning from you and visiting your classes!
A7) Let them know there is support. If funding comes available, allocate for CE or PD (the process to become certified can get expensive) or create advocacy type roles that check in on newer teachers. #oklaed
