Latest news with #StateDepartmentofEducation
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Collection of student immigration data in Oklahoma public schools blocked
A proposed rule collecting the immigration status of Oklahoma public school students was blocked after Gov. Kevin Stitt let an altered set of rules take effect. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY — A controversial proposed rule from Oklahoma's chief education official to require schools to collect immigration status of students will not take effect. Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt let the legislatively altered set of rules governing the State Department of Education take effect without his signature. The measure, which passed the House and Senate with unanimous, bipartisan support, removed two of the most controversial rules: a requirement that public schools collect proof of U.S. citizenship during enrollment and that teachers pass the U.S. Naturalization Test to earn or renew their certifications. Stitt had said he would reject the proposed immigration rule. He previously said even though it was a political issue that people would 'come after' him for, it was the 'right thing to do' and kids shouldn't be 'put on a list.' Lawmakers had argued the immigration rule didn't have any statutory authority and was unenforceable. The administrative rules are proposed by state agencies based on current law. They are subject to review and approval by the Legislature and the governor. When approved and enacted, the rules carry the force of law. 'I will never waver in my belief that Oklahoma taxpayers deserve the utmost transparency – especially if their hard-earned dollars are being used to fund illegal immigrant's education,' said state Superintendent Ryan Walters in a statement Thursday. He said Oklahomans should know who is in their schools. 'Conservatives have an obligation to uphold conservative principles, not just to win an election, but year round,' Walters said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Oklahoma schools will find it more difficult to 'pass the trash' with new law
Note: The attached video is from previous coverage of a case mentioned in this article. OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma lawmakers are making it tougher for teachers under investigation to go to another school district. 'The Protect Our Kids Act' was signed into law by Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt on May 22, and it includes an emergency clause, making the law effective immediately. Were Four State schools 'Passing the Trash' with former Miami teacher accused of sexually abusing student? Rep. Derrick Hildebrant, R-Catoosa, authored the Protect Our Kids Act, House Bill 1075. 'Our top priority is keeping students safe, and this new law reflects that,' Hildebrant said. He said prior to this law, if a teacher or administrator resigned during an investigation into serious misconduct, there was no requirement to finish the process or report it. Suspects were able to move between districts without accountability. House Bill 1075 closes that loophole by requiring investigations to be completed and reported to the State Department of Education, even if the person resigns, Hildebrant said. Former Miami teacher charged with having sex with former student The measure is designed to strengthen transparency and accountability in cases involving alleged abuse or sexual misconduct by school employees. The law now closes long-standing gaps in how school districts report staff misconduct, particularly in cases where a teacher or administrator resigns during an ongoing investigation. School teacher pleads guilty to sexually abusing his elementary students In a story we recently published, a former Miami teacher, Kanyen Derris Cole, 29, pleaded guilty to sexual battery and three counts of soliciting sexual conduct or communication with a minor by use of technology, all felonies. He was sentenced to 90 days in the Ottawa County jail; he also lost his teaching license and is required to register as a sex offender. Another former Miami teacher accused of sexual misconduct Before hiring the young coach, Miami school leaders received a glowing recommendation from Sand Springs school officials, even saying they would rehire Cole. Former Miami teacher convicted of sex crimes receives 10-year suspended sentence What Miami school officials didn't know was that Cole was forced to resign as a physical education and health teacher at Charles Page High School for 'engaging in social media and texting with female students,' according to an arrest affidavit. Sand Springs school leaders failed to disclose to Miami School leaders that Cole was the center of multiple complaints and was being investigated and questioned about his contact with female students. Sand Springs officials failed to notify Miami administrators of the allegations. Under the new law, school district superintendents must send a copy of any termination recommendation to the State Board of Education, regardless of whether the employee resigns before or after the recommendation. The record will be expunged from the State Board's files if an investigation concludes with no grounds for termination or criminal charges. The law also requires that findings from such investigations be submitted to the Board when a resignation occurs during an active inquiry. If a school employee later applies for a position in another district, and the new district requests records from the State Board, the employee retains the right to submit a written response or additional information to accompany the report. Failing to remove a 30-year career teacher for sexually abusing students cost a school district millions Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Greenville County Schools set 2025-26 and 2026-27 makeup days
GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – Greenville County Schools have updated their Student Calendars to include state required, makeup days for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 academic years. Greenville County Schools said the makeup days are being added from Hurricane Helene's impact, which resulted in a widespread of power outages for an extended period of time. Schools remained closed for eight days, with students unable to participate in eLearning. The State Department of Education is requiring districts to make of three days that were missed during Helene, allowing the Greenville County Schools board to excuse three days and the State Board of Education to excuse three days. Here are the following makeup days: 2025-2026: May 20/21 (two half days become full days), March 13 and April 6. December 19 is no longer a half day. 2026-2027: March 12, March 29 and April 16. Makeup days were determined by the Calendar Committee, with feedback from parents and school faculty, along with state requirements factors such as testing dates by the SC Department of Education. Most of the makeup days were scheduled on days that were already set as student/teacher holidays, or as teacher professional development days, Greenville County Schools said. Greenville County Schools said that eLearning will continued to be used in the future as needed for unpleasant weather. For more information, you can visit the Greenville County Schools website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gov McMaster signs bill to let students participate in ‘work-based learning'
Columbia S.C. (WSPA) – In Columbia, Governor Henry McMaster signed a bill into law that encourages students to take part in work-based law allows students in South Carolina public schools to participate in certain extracurricular activities, such as Future Farmers of America and Four-H programs, forcing school districts to excuse 10 days of missed school. The law references worked-based learning experiences, but was inspired by Future Farmers of America. Ian Headly from the State Department of Education said it's important to pass laws like these, that 'allow for them to expand, even beyond students in agriculture programs, but other relevant, organizations that provide these extremely valuable real-world experiences to our students,' he said. Hundreds of students showed up to support the bill signing. Cameron Williams, the SC State F.F.A. president, said this bill will help students maximize experiences and engage with organizations to prepare them for their lives. 'I think this bill is just going to increase that number, increasing not only the number of people within the F.F.A. and increasing the number that are active, but that are also going and doing these events, going and being active within their chapter.' He added that this opportunity with F.F.A. is what has shaped him, and he can guarantee this law will shape other students, no matter the organization. 'The leadership skills these students learn is just an amazing thing to have happened through college and into life.' Governor McMaster technically signed the bill into law on Monday, and said he was pleased that this bill is going to support the growth of students and South Carolinians. 'South Carolina's the best place in the whole world to live, work and raise a family, right here where you stand,' he said to the students. Williams said he knows of several students who had to miss events because they were not able to get excused absences, which he says held them back. The ten days of excused absences for work-based activities doesn't affect the other days students are allowed to miss if they're sick. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
House fights over corporal punishment of Oklahoma disabled children, sends ban to governor
Lori Wathen holds a paddle printed with the word "no" to oppose the practice of corporal punishment in schools before an interim study on the subject on Oct. 21. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY — House lawmakers on Wednesday fought over whether educators should be able to physically discipline disabled students before ultimately voting to send a bill prohibiting the practice to the governor. Senate Bill 364 prohibits school personnel from 'hitting, paddling, spanking, slapping' or using any other physical force on a student with a federally recognized and protected disability. Existing state law only prohibits schools from administering corporal punishments on students with the 'most significant cognitive disabilities.' 'It's really sad, the broad links people will go to to try to twist and turn words to continue to allow people to slap, choke, pull hair, cause bruises, push, shove, and anything else that they can do to a kid with special needs,' said Rep. Anthony Moore, R-Clinton, the bill's author . He said only a small percentage of Oklahoma districts — around 60 that he knows of — still allow corporal punishment. But Moore quickly ticked off a list of disabled children who have been choked or paddled by school personnel without parental permission. Moore said he was not going to publicly name the districts. Nothing in the measure prohibits parents from administering corporal punishment on their disabled children, but schools could not, he said. 'I don't think a kid with Down syndrome should be spanked,' Moore said. 'I don't think a kid with epilepsy should be beaten. I don't think a kid with autism should be choked.' Moore said he's a devout Christian, a deacon in his church, and administers corporal punishment on his own children. But he said it is appalling that people cite the Bible to justify choking a child with special needs. 'It makes me ashamed to be someone that might be categorized with that person,' he said House lawmakers have previously garnered national attention for refusing to put such a ban into state law. Administering corporal punishment on disabled children has been banned by the State Department of Education since 2020. Federal records show hundreds of Oklahoma children with disabilities were physically disciplined during the 2020-21 school year. Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland, said the language of the bill passed Wednesday is nearly identical to the previous measure that failed to advance out of the same chamber about two years ago. Olsen said the prior one didn't advance because of concerns that the number of protected students was too broad and because it stripped away parental power and local control. Those concerns remain, he said. There are certainly children who should never have corporal punishment used on them, but Senate Bill 364's prohibition is too broad because in addition to protecting the profoundly disabled, it also includes students who suffer from hearing, speech and visibility impairments and serious emotional disturbances, Olsen said. 'If you had a 10-year-old boy that was physically healthy, intellectually normal, and he couldn't say his R's correctly, under the provisions of this bill, he would be prohibited, even if the parents wanted it, he would be prohibited from having corporal punishment used on him,' he said. 'No exceptions.' He said the Bible references that the 'rod and reproof gives wisdom, but a child left to himself brings his mother to shame.' 'I have observed over the years that when we get to thinking that we're smarter than the Bible that doesn't turn out very well,' he said. Rep. Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay, said it's appalling that lawmakers are having to have a conversation about 'inflicting suffering on a child that has no idea what is happening.' She said multiple studies show that students with disabilities have corporal punishment applied at disproportionately higher rates than their non-disabled peers. Multiple child psychology organizations oppose 'beating a kid in school,' and most experts recommend non-violent methods to address inappropriate behavior in school, Roe said. Roe, who is also a child abuse examiner, said corporal punishment signals to a child that the way to settle conflict is by inflicting physical force and pain and that it's OK to 'just slug somebody in the face because you don't agree with what they're saying.' She said lawmakers talk about protecting their children from predators, but are not protecting vulnerable children from punishments they can't understand. 'They don't realize that the behavior they're exhibiting is not appropriate, and they're not understanding that getting their butt beat is because of the behavior they just exhibited,' Roe said. But Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, said lawmakers are stripping parents of the ability to permit the use of an effective discipline method that they know will 'get my child's attention.' The bill also does nothing to change the fact that children who aren't diagnosed with a disability can still be subjected to physical discipline in school, he said. West said lawmakers should be looking at school corporal punishment usage in totality, not just one part. The bill leaves the door open for a broad interpretation, and West said he fears that if a school district does allow corporal punishment, there's a 'very, very strong chance that a parent could sue, even if they had given permission.' The bill, which awaits a decision from Gov. Kevin Stitt, passed 61-23. 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