OAESP Legislative Goals 2021-22

FUNDING: OAESP will

• Oppose any efforts to divert public funds to non-public schools.
• Support sustainable operational money to keep teacher salaries regionally competitive.
• Support funding a formalized induction programs for all new teachers, including emergency certified and alternative certified teachers.
• Support ensuring that state appropriated per-pupil funding reaches regionally competitive levels to achieve appropriate class sizes for all age levels.
• Provide funds for principal/teacher professional learning designed to equip educators to address the needs of our most challenging populations, including children in trauma, and to successfully implement state mandated initiatives.
• Support adequate funding to provide regionally competitive salaries for school support staff and paraprofessionals and their ongoing professional development.
• Support funding resources for alternative education that provides student support for behavioral and mental health in order to provide a safe environment for students to be successful.

ACADEMICS: OAESP will

• Promote grade-level appropriate student assessments aligned with current research and the Oklahoma Academic Standards.
• Protect and promote recess as a crucial and necessary component of a child's development.
• Support legislation to ensure a high quality, transparent, research-based model for virtual education if a district decides to offer virtual learning.

LOCAL CONCERNS: OAESP will

• Oppose any legislation that would remove educational decisions from locally elected Boards of Education.
• Support legislation that will maintain student transfer decisions at the local level.