Restore Funding

1. Restore Funding • $300 million in cuts since 2008. • Third largest cuts in the country to student spending • 47th in per pupil expenditures Source: National Center for Education Statistics and Center on Budget & Policy Priorities

2. Impact of funding cuts • Problems recruiting and retaining teachers Source: National Education Association Rankings and Estimates 2011

3. Impact of funding cuts • After 25 years in the classroom, a teacher will only make around between $10,725-$12,000 more than where they started. • The majority of school districts (323) only receive the state minimum salary. • Teacher’s haven’t received a raise since 2007.

4. Impact of funding cuts Larger class sizes • In the past three years, Oklahoma has lost 1,500 teaching positions and enrolled more than 22,000 more students. This has greatly increased class sizes.

5. Impact of funding cuts Program Cuts-Textbooks • Textbook moratorium-Schools have to delay the purchase of textbooks to fill budget holes.

6. Impact of funding cuts Program Cuts- Literacy • Reading Sufficiency fund cut by $6.3 million despite new legislation requiring all third-graders read at grade level before going on to fourth grade.

7. Impacts of funding cuts Program Cuts- Literacy • Effective programs cut like Literacy First increased reading scores on average 123 points

8. Impact of funding cuts Program Cuts-Professional Development • While making major education reform changes like Common Core and the Teacher Leader Effectiveness evaluation, about $2.3 million was cut from professional development.

9. Benefits of Restoring Funding • Providing quality professional development to enhance and sharpen teacher tools. • Lower class sizes to provide better opportunities for student achievement. • Provide necessary materials to schools and the classroom so teachers can produce 21st century learners and thoughtful citizens that will be able to compete in our global economy.

10. Ask a teacher!