Picture courtesy of The Oklahoman

State Rep. Ken Miller, R-Edmond, accepts roses today from Cale Curtain, Courtney Pollock and Liz Kleehammer, students from Oklahoma Christian School in Edmond

We have a feeling that the members of the legislature will soon answer.

Today’s Tulsa World features an editorial that puts the blame for for skyrocketing tuition increases in the lap of the legislature. In many public forums, members of both parties blame the higher ed and university presidents such as the University of Oklahoma’s David Boren.

The World editorial says the legislature didn’t appropriate enough money. We’ve heard frequently from legislators that the regents and the university bosses are poor money managers and that the legislature appropriates sufficient fund id only the money were used more wisely.

Without a doubt, the higher education regents have practiced poor public relations skills with Oklahomans, and capitol observers say that a bi-partisan legislative attempt to remove tuition setting capabilities from the regents is assured. It will be politically popular. Regardless, today’s editorial won’t do anything to help the regent’s poor image, but it will irritate legislators. Watch for more public posturing from both sides as the elections near.

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) today said throwing more money at Oklahoma schools is not the solution for education challenges faced by the state. The statement comes on the heels of an announcement by the Oklahoma Education Association (OEA) that it would request an additional $850 million from taxpayers to increase per pupil spending.

“We believe that public school funding is either ‘too high’ or ‘about right’ just like the 64 percent of Oklahomans that responded to a recent Friedman Foundation survey,” said AFP Oklahoma Director Stuart Jolly. “Oklahoma schools have enough money. It’s just not being spent wisely.”

According to a recent AFP analysis, just 12 years ago Oklahoma’s entire state budget was $3.4 billion. Today, the education budget alone is $3.8 billion, meaning the state spends more today on Oklahoma’s education system than it did on all state programs just 12 years ago. “And what do Oklahoma students have to show for it?” Jolly asked. “The same grade they did 12 years ago – F.”

Meanwhile, education administrative costs in Oklahoma are three times the average amount for the region. In 2006, Oklahoma spent $753 per student while the average for the region was $242 per student. Oklahoma spends three times more on school administration than Arkansas ($215), Kansas ($258), or Texas ($252). Just 59.7 percent of education dollars are actually spent in the classroom. Putting $500 more per student back in the classroom – or $10,000 per classroom – is a first step toward addressing the state’s failing education system, AFP contends.

Since 1985, Oklahoma’s student population has grown by 7.1 percent, but the administration to take care of those students has grown by 46 percent! And the education budget during this same period has grown from $1.4 billion to $3.8 billion. And where does Oklahoma rank today nationally? The same place it did in 1985 – near the bottom.

AFP is calling for a larger percentage of education dollars to be spent in the classroom and for greater choice in education. When taxpayers and families have more choices, schools will improve.

“Taxpayers shouldn’t be forced to throw good money after bad,” Jolly concluded. “Our schools must spend the dollars we have entrusted to them wisely before they even think about asking for more. Ultimately, all families should have more choices when it comes to what schools their children go to.”

Related:

Video: OEA President Roy Bishop on Merit Pay

Hello again, everybody! Every year, the Oklahoma Legislature works through the Spring Break that students enjoy across the state.