The State Superintendent of Public Instruction; Do Your Job Act; accreditation; Office of Educational Quality and Accountability; salary; effective date.
By modifying existing statutes related to educational quality, the bill reshapes the mechanisms by which school districts are accredited. It introduces provisions that would prevent financial penalties against districts failing to meet certain media personnel criteria, in effect protecting schools from losing accreditation over these standards. Furthermore, the bill requires more rigorous evaluations of classrooms and mandates ongoing state-level monitoring for compliance with accreditation standards.
House Bill 3813, also known as the 'Do Your Job Act', proposes significant changes to the oversight and structure of public education in Oklahoma. The bill mandates a review of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction's performance on an annual basis, thus allowing the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability to impose a salary cut of up to 50% for poor performance. This move aims to hold educational leadership more accountable to the standards expected by the public and lawmakers.
Key points of contention surrounding HB 3813 stem from concerns over the implications of increased state oversight and the potential chilling effect on local governance. Critics argue that the bill may overreach in its attempts to centralize educational control, which could hinder schools' ability to adapt to local needs. Additionally, there is unease about the potential implications for teacher morale and retention, particularly as financial penalties are linked to compliance failures, putting pressure on local administrations.
The bill explicitly states that the accreditation standards will apply to educational services at both public schools and state-accredited private schools, ensuring a wide reach of its regulations. The act will come into effect starting November 1, 2024, providing a timeline for schools to prepare for the new accountability measures.