Can't view the graphics? View this email online | April 24, 2009 |  www.okprosperity.com

Oklahoma's kids must have a quality education to succeed in a competitive global economy.

Yet test scores for K-12 grade students in our public schools are way too low, and accurate dropout and graduation figures are difficult to find. Here are the facts:

• More than 1/3 of all high school graduates take remediation courses to catch up as they enter college - among the worst levels in the nation.
• The U.S. Chamber's State-by-State Report Card on Educational Effectiveness gave Oklahoma an "F" in academic achievement, an "F" in "truth in advertising about student proficiency," and a "D" for "data quality."
• Oklahoma's Business and Education Coalition found our 4th and 8th graders test well below the national average in reading and math proficiency - stongly conflicting with state test results reported by the Oklahoma Department of Education. Learn more

SB 1111 shifts responsibility for reporting state test results and data from the Department of Education to an independent Education Quality and Accountability Office.

This new structure lets Department of Education staff focus on quality education for our kids. The Accountability Office will monitor and report the results.

SB 1111 now sits on the Governor's desk, awaiting his signature.

Please ask Governor Henry to sign SB 1111 TODAY!

Act NOW!

Click here to fax a free, automatic letter to the Governor, or

Call the Governor at 405/521-2342

© 2009 Oklahoma Prosperity Project
The State Chamber of Oklahoma. All Rights Reserved.
Mailing address: 330 NE 10th Street * Oklahoma City, OK 73104
www.okprosperity.com | 405-235-3669 | info@okprosperity.com