logo
Login Subscribe
Google Play App Store
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
    • Opinion
  • Sports
  • E-edition
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
      • Opinion
    • Sports
    • E-edition
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
commentary
April 17, 2025
Access to support services vital for student success
By JOE DORMAN OICACEO

OKLAHOMA CITY – When it comes to ideas emanating from the State Capitol, there is no perfect solution to problems faced by what a bill might address.

Such is the case with Senate Bill 105. The bill would modify the requirements for qualification for students with the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship to transfer between school districts. The bill removes the requirement for a student to have attended a public school while on an IEP in the year immediately prior to applying for the scholarship. It also removes the word “disability” and replaces it with the phrase “special need.”

The bill also would remove language stating that acceptance of a scholarship has the same effect as parental

revocation of consent to services under certain provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This update brings the statute in line with federal guidelines.

Due to the Legislature passing language that was signed into law in past years which allows almost all students the ability to transfer to new schools, this legislation cleans up a loophole that impacts those students who fall into the special needs category and allows the additional weighted formula funds, funds designated under the Lindsey Nicole Henry (LNH) Scholarship, to follow the student to the new district or school. This would ensure resources are there to help the child with support for their circumstance which allows them to qualify for this funding.

I was a lawmaker when the LNH Scholarship was originally brought to the Legislature more than a decade ago. I voted against the original language due to fear of this creating a voucher system that would allow students to transfer to another district for reasons other than to seek better support services. After working with many families who have faced issues with not receiving the best services possible in their home district, I now realize how important this policy is for families to be able to seek out different educational options for their children.

This is not about comparing one district or school to another. This is about the unique needs of individual students and families and recognizing that sometimes families can find the services for their students at different schools who may already have particular specialists hired, and specialize in serving students with those needs.

Over the past several years, Oklahoma law has become very flexible for student transfer, even providing up to a $7,500 voucher of state dollars to subsidize students to enroll in a private school depending upon their family’s income, or $1,000 for parents who home school their children.

Unfortunately, several private schools raised their tuition by the amount of the voucher, intentionally keeping the price out of reach for the families who the voucher was most designed to assist. Additionally, agency rules were established which required the payment to be sent directly to the school, allowing the administration to determine the income of the families based upon the level of the payment, a horrible invasion of privacy on these families that I hope will be rectified.

As I pointed out, there are no perfect answers to many of these issues brought forth through legislation, but we must hope they can do the best for those impacted. Such is the case with special needs children who would benefit from Senate Bill 105, and let’s hope policymakers will address the issues with how vouchers might legitimately support children who deserve better opportunities.

About OICA: The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy was established in 1983 by a group of citizens seeking to create a strong advocacy network that would provide a voice for the needs of children and youth in Oklahoma, particularly those in the states care and those growing up amid poverty, violence, abuse and neglect, disparities, or other situations that put their lives and future at risk. Our mission statement: “Creating awareness, taking action and changing policy to improve the health, safety, and well-being of Oklahoma’s children.”

Jay Paul Gumm Director of Communications Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy jpgumm@oica.org (405) 236-KIDS

mailto:jpgumm@oica.org

(5437)

Checotah lit up the sky this 4th of July
A: Main, News...
Checotah lit up the sky this 4th of July
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
July 10, 2025
The City of Checotah showed off its bold stripes, bright stars and brave hearts this Fourth of July after working countless hours so residents could celebrate their freedom with lots of family fun and...
this is a test
A: Main, News...
Sexual Assault Awareness Honor Walk
July 10, 2025
Friday, July 11 at 12 p.m. Posey Park, Eufaula Show your support for survivors Take a stand against violence! Muscogee (Creek) Nation Center for Victim Services
this is a test
A: Main, News...
Annual Memorial Service planned at Honey Springs Battlefield
July 10, 2025
CHECOTAH — Honey Springs Battlefield will hold its annual memorial service on Saturday, July 19, at 10:30 a.m. to honor the 162nd anniversary of the Battle of Honey Springs near Checotah. The service ...
this is a test
Farewell to Checotah’s friend, Jerri Reaves
A: Main, News...
Farewell to Checotah’s friend, Jerri Reaves
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
July 10, 2025
Last Thursday family and friends said goodbye to former city councilwoman Jerri Reaves who had passed away on June 26 at the age of 82. Jerri graduated from Checotah High School in 1962. In 1980, she ...
this is a test
News
Trump administration freezes over $70 million state’s education funds
By NURIA MARTINEZ-KEEL OKLAHOMA VOICE 
July 10, 2025
States won’t receive funds from six federal programs, including after-school care and English learner support, until further notice. OKLAHOMA CITY — The Trump administration is indefinitely withholdin...
this is a test
News
Jeff Starling launches campaign for attorney general
July 10, 2025
TULSA ––Jeff Starling, Oklahoma’s Secretary of Energy and Environment, has officially announced his candidacy for Attorney General of Oklahoma. Starling is a conservative, attorney, businessman, and d...
this is a test
United for Oklahoma
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
Plumb Theatre News
News
Plumb Theatre News
By MATTIE AND PAUL MALOY PLUMB THEATRE 
July 10, 2025
Never too early to start singing and the HALLELUJAH HONEYS are representative of that. Kate Andrews will be singing and playing with two other Honeys, Aubree,13, and Charlee, 10. They are some cuties ...
this is a test
Freedom Fest
News
Freedom Fest
July 10, 2025
Checotah residents celebrated their freedom with lots of family fun and fireworks on July 4th weekend at Freedom Fest.
this is a test
Police training
News
Police training
July 10, 2025
Recently local law enforcement trained for two days on different scenarios that might arise during traffic stops, hostage situations, domestic disturbances, and more.
this is a test
News
Two from area on UCO Honor Rolls
July 10, 2025
EDMOND - Two from this area have made he University of Central Oklahoma recently announced the students named to the university’s honor rolls; a distinction given to those who achieve the highest acad...
this is a test
Warriors of God, ready yourselves
commentary
Warriors of God, ready yourselves
July 10, 2025
Of my 56 years of being in this world, 50 of those years I have been filled with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. I was only six years old when I attended my first Tiger Mount...
this is a test
Facebook
Twitter
Tweets
Twitter
Tweets

MCINTOSH COUNTY DEMOCRAT
300-A S. Broadway
Checotah, OK
74426

(918) 473-2313

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 Mcintosh Democrat

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy