SB1203: No New Grants for OK High Schools: Career Program Bill Rejected

Plan to expand career education in schools falls short

This article was written with the assistance of ai software*

Photo byDesola Lanre-OlogunonUnsplash

What did SB1203 want to accomplish?

SB1203 aimed to create a special pilot program to help some Oklahoma public schools offer career and technology training for high school students in grades 9 through 12.

The program was designed to give grants (money) to schools so they can start these programs. To be eligible for a grant, a school has to prove that the career training they want to offer isn’t available at a nearby technology center and that it’s important for helping students find jobs.

The State Board of Career and Technology Education planned to review applications from schools and decide which schools get the grants. The state would set aside $5 million to fund this program. Schools that get the grant must write a report explaining how the program is working and if they have any suggestions for improvement.

The State Board of Education would also decide if students can earn academic credit towards graduation by taking these career and technology courses.

Who would have benefited from this law?

✔️High School Students: Students in grades 9 through 12 would get access to career and technology training programs. This would help them gain important job skills and prepare for the workforce after graduation.

✔️Schools in Rural or Underserved Areas: Schools that don’t have nearby technology centers would benefit by receiving grants to offer these programs, helping to bridge the gap in access to career training for students in smaller or less funded districts.

✔️The Workforce: Local industries and businesses would benefit by having more students trained with the specific skills they need, which could help fill important job openings in areas like technology, manufacturing, or healthcare.

✔️Parents and Families: Families would benefit by seeing their children better prepared for high-paying, in-demand jobs right out of high school, reducing the need for expensive college degrees for certain careers.

✔️The State Economy: Oklahoma’s economy could improve as more students enter the workforce with practical skills, helping local businesses and reducing unemployment.

What are some downsides to this law?

Some of these may be the reason the law failed to pass.

⚠️Limited Funding: The $5 million allocated for the program might not be enough to cover all eligible schools, especially if many apply. This could lead to some schools being left out, limiting the overall impact of the program.

⚠️Unequal Access: Schools in larger, more developed areas might have better resources to apply for and implement the grants, which could leave smaller or rural schools struggling to compete for the funds.

⚠️Administrative Burden: School districts would need to apply for these grants and complete reports, which could create extra work for administrators and staff who are already stretched thin.

⚠️Uncertain Success: Since it's a pilot program, there's no guarantee it will work as planned. The programs might not deliver the expected results, especially if schools lack the expertise or resources to run effective career and technology training.

⚠️Potential Overemphasis on Career Training: Focusing heavily on career and technology education might lead some students to miss out on other academic opportunities, such as preparing for college, if the balance between career training and traditional subjects isn't maintained.

⚠️Dependence on Future Funding: If the pilot program is successful but future funding isn’t secured, schools might struggle to keep the career programs going after the initial grants run out.

This bill was introduced on 2/20/24 by Senator David Bullard [R]. Due to a lack of support, missed deadlines, committee action, leadership decisions or veto, this bill failed to pass and will not be signed into law.

➡️Is this something that you think Oklahomans need? How would it have benefited the county you live in?

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