Oklahoma House of Representatives

Media Division

January 17, 2013

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: State Rep. Curtis McDaniel

Office: (405) 557-7363

 

Lawmaker Wants to Set Higher Bar for State Superintendent

 

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Rep. Curtis McDaniel today filed legislation to ensure candidates for state superintendent are at least as qualified as individual school district superintendents.

House Bill 1501 would require candidates for state superintendent to have completed a standard master’s degree and a program in education administration approved by the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation with an emphasis on district-level leadership skills, which are equivalent to the educational requirements for a superintendent of schools.

“I do not know how it came to pass that Oklahoma requires district superintendents throughout the state to have a higher level of professional training than the state superintendent, but I aim to fix this glaring oversight,” said McDaniel, D-Smithville. “As a school administrator for over 16 years, I am aware of the importance of qualified professionals in education. It stands to reason that we require highly qualified educators at every level.”

McDaniel also announced a second bill that would localize the high school diploma appeals process. Currently, the appeals process is administered by the state board of education.

House Bill 1502 would put the appeals process in the hands of individual school districts.

“Local control has long been an objective of the Oklahoma Legislature and I think this bill gives us an opportunity to tweak a process that has turned into a headache for the state board while supporting the ability of local communities to make their own education decisions,” McDaniel said.

Today is the last day for filing legislation for the 2013 session, which convenes Feb. 4, 2013.

 

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