Governor’s veto of improved reading law creates confusion, instability, Hofmeister warns

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 4, 2018) – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister made the following remarks about Gov. Fallin’s veto of Senate Bill 1190. The measure, which passed 88-1 in the state House and 42-0 in the state Senate, was necessary to adjust cut scores of the Reading Sufficiency Act (RSA) to align with Oklahoma’s adoption of more comprehensive academic standards and assessments.

“It is deeply troubling that the governor would veto a bill that ensured the validity of the Reading Sufficiency Act. Her veto of SB 1190 threatens to severely undermine high standards and create confusion at a time when educators desperately need stability,” she said. “I am particularly alarmed because these were changes recommended by the Oklahoma Technical Advisory Committee of assessment experts, as well as a committee of Oklahoma veteran educators with direct involvement in the process. The recommendation was then unanimously adopted by the Commission on Educational Quality and Accountability, which was chaired by Gov. Fallin’s then-Secretary of Education and included her appointed commissioners.

“Gov. Fallin has been wrong on education policy before, and her veto of this legislation is wrong as well. The RSA has made a positive impact on reading instruction, but its credibility is seriously jeopardized by the governor’s misguided veto.”

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