Oklahoma State Board of Education
Encyclopedia
The Oklahoma State Department of Education is the state education agency
of the State of Oklahoma
charged with determining the policies and directing the administration and supervision of the public school system of Oklahoma. The State Board of Education, the governing body of the Department, is composed of the Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction
and six members appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma
with the approval of the Oklahoma Senate
. The State Superintendent, in addition to serving as chair of the Board, serves as the chief executive officer of the Department and is elected by the voters of Oklahoma every four years.
The current State Superintendent of Public Instruction is Janet Barresi. Barresi is currently serving her first term in office, with her first term beginning on January 10, 2011, and is set to end in 2015.
The State Board of Education, and thus the State Department of Education, was created in its current configuration in 1971 during the term of Governor
David Hall
. The agency maintains its headquarters in the Oliver Hodge Building at 2500 North Lincoln Boulevard in Oklahoma City
.
Together with the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education and the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
, the Department forms the core of Oklahoma's public education system.
and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction
(who is the Chair of the State Board of Education). Under Governor Mary Fallin
, the Education Secretary is Phyllis Hudecki
and Janet Barresi serves as State Superintendent.
in 1907, the State Superintendent, the Governor of Oklahoma
, the Secretary of State of Oklahoma
, and the Attorney General of Oklahoma
served as the State Board of Education. With the passage of the Oklahoma School Code of 1971, the Board consisted of seven members: the State Superintendent (who serves as Chair, and is a statewide elected official) and six members appointed by the Governor by and with the advice and consent of the Oklahoma Senate
. In order to be eligible to serve on the Board, members must possess a high school diploma
or certificate of high school equivalency. The members appointed by the Governor serve staggered six year terms so that one member's term expires every year.
All appointments take effect on April 2 of the year of appointment. Excluding the State Superintendent, there must be at least one member representing each congressional district of the State. Any remaining members are appointed from the state at large, provided that only one member may represent any given county, city or town. In the event of vacancy, the Governor appoints a new member, subject to confirmation by the Senate at the next session of the Legislature, to serve the remainder of the unexpired term.
Members of the Board serve without compensation but are reimbursed for travel expenses.
The Board organizes and has control over the administrative and supervisory agencies, divisions, and personnel of the State Department of Education. A such, it is the Board's responsibility to submit to the Governor
a departmental budget based upon major functions of the State Department of Education based on the needs of local school districts. Appropriation requested by the Board must include State Aid to local schools as well as funds for free textbooks, school lunches, and Indian education. The funds appropriated by the Oklahoma Legislature
to be used by the Board as determined by the Board. However, all funds must be consolidate into two items: administration and aid to schools.
On the December 1 of each year, the Board must prepare and deliver to the Governor and the Legislature an annual report for preceding year. The annual report must contain detailed statistics and other information concerning enrollment, attendance, expenditures (including State Aid), and other pertinent data for all public schools in the State. Also, reports from each and every division, department, institution or other agency under the supervision of the Board are included in the annual report. In such annual report, the Board may make such recommendations for the improvement of the public school system of the state as the Board deems necessary. Each annual report must also include a statement of the receipts and expenditures of the Board for the past year, and a statement of plans and recommendations for the management and improvement of public schools of the state.
It is the duty and responsibility of the Board to provide for the health and safety of school children and school personnel while under the jurisdiction of school authorities. This includes:
When local school boards proposed structure changes to their school buildings, the Board has the authority to review the preliminary plans for new construction and major alterations.
, the Department must recognize that the Director of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections
is the administrative authority for those schools for the appointment of the principals and teachers of those schools.
State education agency
A state education agency , or state department of education, is a formal governmental label for the state-level government agencies within each U.S...
of the State of Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
charged with determining the policies and directing the administration and supervision of the public school system of Oklahoma. The State Board of Education, the governing body of the Department, is composed of the Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction
The Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction, sometimes called the Oklahoma State School Superintendent, is the chief executive officer for the Oklahoma State Department of Education and the President of the Oklahoma State Board of Education...
and six members appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma
Governor of Oklahoma
The governor of the state of Oklahoma is the head of state for the state of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma...
with the approval of the Oklahoma Senate
Oklahoma Senate
The Oklahoma Senate is the upper house of the two houses of the Legislature of Oklahoma, the other being the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The total number of Senators is set at 48 by the Oklahoma Constitution....
. The State Superintendent, in addition to serving as chair of the Board, serves as the chief executive officer of the Department and is elected by the voters of Oklahoma every four years.
The current State Superintendent of Public Instruction is Janet Barresi. Barresi is currently serving her first term in office, with her first term beginning on January 10, 2011, and is set to end in 2015.
The State Board of Education, and thus the State Department of Education, was created in its current configuration in 1971 during the term of Governor
Governor of Oklahoma
The governor of the state of Oklahoma is the head of state for the state of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma...
David Hall
David Hall (Oklahoma governor)
David Hall , U.S. Democratic Party politician, He served as the 20th Governor of Oklahoma from January 11, 1971 to January 13, 1975, after serving as Tulsa County District Attorney, and was previously a law professor at the University of Tulsa.- Early life :David Hall was born in Oklahoma City, and...
. The agency maintains its headquarters in the Oliver Hodge Building at 2500 North Lincoln Boulevard in Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City is the capital and the largest city in the state of Oklahoma. The county seat of Oklahoma County, the city ranks 31st among United States cities in population. The city's population, from the 2010 census, was 579,999, with a metro-area population of 1,252,987 . In 2010, the Oklahoma...
.
Together with the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education and the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education is the agency of the government of Oklahoma that serves as the governing body of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, which is the largest provider of higher education in the state of Oklahoma...
, the Department forms the core of Oklahoma's public education system.
Leadership
The Department is led by the Secretary of EducationOklahoma Secretary of Education
The Oklahoma Secretary of Education is a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor...
and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction
The Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction, sometimes called the Oklahoma State School Superintendent, is the chief executive officer for the Oklahoma State Department of Education and the President of the Oklahoma State Board of Education...
(who is the Chair of the State Board of Education). Under Governor Mary Fallin
Mary Fallin
Mary Fallin is the 27th and current Governor of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. She was a U.S. Representative for from 2007 until 2011....
, the Education Secretary is Phyllis Hudecki
Phyllis Hudecki
Phyllis Hudecki is an American educator from Oklahoma. Hudecki was appointed by Governor of Oklahoma Mary Fallin to serve as her Secretary of Education...
and Janet Barresi serves as State Superintendent.
Board of Education
At the ratification of the Oklahoma ConstitutionOklahoma Constitution
The Constitution of the State of Oklahoma is the governing document of the U.S. State of Oklahoma. Adopted in 1907, Oklahoma ratified the United States Constitution on November 16, 1907, as the 46th US State. At its ratification, the Oklahoma Constitution was the longest governing document of any...
in 1907, the State Superintendent, the Governor of Oklahoma
Governor of Oklahoma
The governor of the state of Oklahoma is the head of state for the state of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma...
, the Secretary of State of Oklahoma
Secretary of State of Oklahoma
The Secretary of State of the State of Oklahoma is the chief clerical officer of Oklahoma and a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary of State is only appointed constitutional member of the executive branch of the Oklahoma state government...
, and the Attorney General of Oklahoma
Attorney General of Oklahoma
The Attorney General of Oklahoma is the State Attorney General for the state of Oklahoma. The Attorney General serves as the chief legal and law enforcement officer of the State of Oklahoma. The Attorney General is responsible for providing legal advise to the various agencies and departments of...
served as the State Board of Education. With the passage of the Oklahoma School Code of 1971, the Board consisted of seven members: the State Superintendent (who serves as Chair, and is a statewide elected official) and six members appointed by the Governor by and with the advice and consent of the Oklahoma Senate
Oklahoma Senate
The Oklahoma Senate is the upper house of the two houses of the Legislature of Oklahoma, the other being the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The total number of Senators is set at 48 by the Oklahoma Constitution....
. In order to be eligible to serve on the Board, members must possess a high school diploma
High school diploma
A high school diploma is a diploma awarded for the completion of high school. In the United States and Canada, it is considered the minimum education required for government jobs and higher education. An equivalent is the GED.-Past diploma styles:...
or certificate of high school equivalency. The members appointed by the Governor serve staggered six year terms so that one member's term expires every year.
All appointments take effect on April 2 of the year of appointment. Excluding the State Superintendent, there must be at least one member representing each congressional district of the State. Any remaining members are appointed from the state at large, provided that only one member may represent any given county, city or town. In the event of vacancy, the Governor appoints a new member, subject to confirmation by the Senate at the next session of the Legislature, to serve the remainder of the unexpired term.
Members of the Board serve without compensation but are reimbursed for travel expenses.
Current board membership
As of 2011, the current board members are:- Janet Barresi, Chair of the Board
- Tim Gilpin of Tulsa; lawyer, represents Congressional District 1, term ends April 2011
- Herb Rozell of Tahlequah; former state senator, represents Congressional District 2, term ends April 2014
- Betsy Mabry of Enid; teacher, represents Congressional District 3, term ends April 2012
- Sue Arnn of Ardmore; community volunteer, represents Congressional District 4, term ends April 2014
- Gail Foresee of Shawnee; teacher/counselor, represents Congressional District 5, term ends April 2016
- Gayle Miles-Scott of Oklahoma City; certified public accountant, at-large, term ends April 2015
Duties of State Board of Education
It is the primary responsibility of the State Board of Education to perform all duties necessary to the administration of the public school system in Oklahoma as specified in the Oklahoma School Code of 1971.Administration
The Board is responsible for establishing and prescribing the duties of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, who is the chief executive officer of the State Department of Education and the Oklahoma public school system. Such duties include the responsibility to give advice and make recommendations to the Board on all matters pertaining to the policies and administration of the State Department of Education and the Oklahoma public school system. The State Superintendent is thus responsible for administering and enforcing the adopted policies and rules established by the Board.The Board organizes and has control over the administrative and supervisory agencies, divisions, and personnel of the State Department of Education. A such, it is the Board's responsibility to submit to the Governor
Governor of Oklahoma
The governor of the state of Oklahoma is the head of state for the state of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma...
a departmental budget based upon major functions of the State Department of Education based on the needs of local school districts. Appropriation requested by the Board must include State Aid to local schools as well as funds for free textbooks, school lunches, and Indian education. The funds appropriated by the Oklahoma Legislature
Oklahoma Legislature
The Legislature of the State of Oklahoma is the biennial meeting of the legislative branch of the government of Oklahoma. It is bicameral, comprising the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the Oklahoma Senate, with all members elected directly by the people. The House of Representatives has 101...
to be used by the Board as determined by the Board. However, all funds must be consolidate into two items: administration and aid to schools.
On the December 1 of each year, the Board must prepare and deliver to the Governor and the Legislature an annual report for preceding year. The annual report must contain detailed statistics and other information concerning enrollment, attendance, expenditures (including State Aid), and other pertinent data for all public schools in the State. Also, reports from each and every division, department, institution or other agency under the supervision of the Board are included in the annual report. In such annual report, the Board may make such recommendations for the improvement of the public school system of the state as the Board deems necessary. Each annual report must also include a statement of the receipts and expenditures of the Board for the past year, and a statement of plans and recommendations for the management and improvement of public schools of the state.
Curriculum
It is the responsibility of the Board to formulate and adopt the curriculum, courses of study and other instructional aids necessary for the adequate instruction of Oklahoma' students in the public schools of the state. The Board has the authority to the license and certify the instructional, supervisory and administrative personnel of the public schools of the state. Also, the Board has the authority to issue the rules governing the classification, inspection, supervision and accrediting of all public nursery, kindergarten, elementary and secondary schools and on-site educational services provided by public school districts or state-accredited private schools. However, no school may be denied accreditation by the Board based solely on the basis of average daily attendance.Oversight
When deemed necessary by the Board, the Board can require any person having administrative control of any school districts in Oklahoma to make regular or special reports regarding the activities of the schools in their districts. In requiring such reports, the Board has the authority to withhold any or all state funds under its control, to withhold official recognition, including accrediting, until such required reports have been filed and accepted by the Board. The Board may revoke the certificates of any person failing or refusing to make reports to the Board.It is the duty and responsibility of the Board to provide for the health and safety of school children and school personnel while under the jurisdiction of school authorities. This includes:
- providing for a uniform system of pupil and personnel accounting, records and report
- the supervision of the transportation of students
- upon request of the local school board, to act on behalf of the public schools of the state in the purchase of transportation equipment
When local school boards proposed structure changes to their school buildings, the Board has the authority to review the preliminary plans for new construction and major alterations.
Relationship with Corrections Department
While the Department establishes rules for the classification, inspection and accreditation of public schools under the jurisdiction of the Oklahoma Department of CorrectionsOklahoma Department of Corrections
The Oklahoma Department of Corrections is an agency of the state of Oklahoma. DOC is responsible for the administration of the state prison system. It has its headquarters in Oklahoma City, in the former Mabel Bassett Correctional Center building.The Department of Corrections is governed by the...
, the Department must recognize that the Director of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections
Oklahoma Department of Corrections
The Oklahoma Department of Corrections is an agency of the state of Oklahoma. DOC is responsible for the administration of the state prison system. It has its headquarters in Oklahoma City, in the former Mabel Bassett Correctional Center building.The Department of Corrections is governed by the...
is the administrative authority for those schools for the appointment of the principals and teachers of those schools.
Organization
- State Board of Education
- Superintendent of Public Instruction
- Administrative Services Division - led by State Superintendent, immediate support staff of State Superintendent, provides support for the services of the various divisions of the state education agency and support of the State Board of Education
- Accreditation and Standards Division - led by Assistant State Superintendent, oversees school accreditation standards while supporting deregulation of schools
- Professional Services Division - led by Assistant State Superintendent, coordinates the certification and continuing education of Oklahoma's professional educators. Specific services are provided to local school board members and the public school districts in meeting federal civil rights laws and state laws and regulations concerning professional development
- Financial Services Division - led by Assistant State Superintendent, primary disbursing and auditing for the annual distribution of state funds to local school districts. Also the central data collection point for information concerning student attendance, valuations, budgets, student transfers, and other data having a direct impact on allocation of state-appropriated funds
- Special Education Services Division - led by Assistant Superintendent, ensures children with disabilities receive appropriate services and that technical assistance is provided to parents, local schools, and other state and federal agencies
- School Improvement Division - led by three Assistant Superintendents, supports School Improvement help school use data from the Oklahoma School Testing Program to improve instruction in the state-mandated core curriculum (PASS) through workshops and technical assistance on grant and program management, curriculum development and implementation, innovation and support programs, and instruction, remediation and assessment
- Office of Innovation, Support, and Alternative Education
- Office of Accountability and Assessment
- Office of Standards and Curriculum
- Fiscal Services Division - directs primarily federally funded programs and serve specialized needs of local school districts
- Legal Services Division - provides legal services and advise to the Department
- Superintendent of Public Instruction
Staffing
The Education Department, with an annual budget of over $3 billion, is one of the larger employers of the State. For fiscal year 2008, the Department was authorized 374 full time employees.| Division | Number of Employees |
|---|---|
| Administration | 42 |
| Professional Development | 30 |
| School Improvement | 21 |
| Special Education Services | 34 |
| Financial Services | 35 |
| Federal Programs | 87 |
| Advance Placement Program | 1 |
| Student Tracking and Identification | 10 |
| Accreditation and Standards | 24 |
| Early Childhood Intervention | 89 |
| Total | 374 |
See also
- Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public InstructionOklahoma State Superintendent of Public InstructionThe Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction, sometimes called the Oklahoma State School Superintendent, is the chief executive officer for the Oklahoma State Department of Education and the President of the Oklahoma State Board of Education...
- Public educationPublic educationState schools, also known in the United States and Canada as public schools,In much of the Commonwealth, including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom, the terms 'public education', 'public school' and 'independent school' are used for private schools, that is, schools...
- Public education in the United States
- Board of educationBoard of educationA board of education or a school board or school committee is the title of the board of directors or board of trustees of a school, local school district or higher administrative level....
- Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education