Governor's Education Initiative

Governor Henry introduced his Education initiative proposing the implementation of the Achieving Classroom Excellence (ACE) program. This initiative would include:

Full-Day Kindergarten
Due to a 322% since the 1996-1997 school year, the Governor has proposed $24.6 million to fully fund optional full-day kindergarten programs.

Middle School Initiatives
Because of the low math scores, the Governor has proposed a budget that includes $2 million for middle school math improvement labs as well as $2 million for continuing education for middle school math teachers. Teacher who participate in the program or have already passed the assessment exam will receive a $1,000.00 bonus.

Mastery Exams
The Achieving Classroom Excellence Task Force will develop a mastery exam for the 8th grade for students entering the 6th grade in the 2008-2009 school year.

High School Reform
Because students are showing a deficiency in math, the Governor intends to require three (3) years of high school math to be taken between 9th and 12th grade. If student has taken Algebra I in the 8th grade, the student is still required to take three (3) accredited math courses.

Parents will now have the option of enrolling students in OHLAP college preparatory curriculum or a Default Curriculum.

Achieving Classroom Excellence (ACE) Mastery Exam
Two additional end-of-course instruction tests and requiring high school freshman entering the 2008-2009 school year to complete four of the six exams to receive a diploma.

Concurrent Enrollment
The Governor proposes that the tuition costs of Oklahoma’s high school students concurrently enrolled in college be paid by the state rather than the student.

Higher Education Bond Issue
$500 million capitol bond issue to fund projects such as renovation for classrooms, infrastructure expansion and upgrades on libraries and fine arts centers.

To read Governor Henry’s entire Education Initiative www.gov.ok.us (click on Issues & Initiatives) or www.osf.state.ok.us/bud06.pdf (for entire budget)