Oklahoma lawmakers concerned over proposed immigration rules from State Department of Education

This week, several Oklahoma lawmakers expressed their concerns about proposed rule changes from the State Department of Education. Some lawmakers said they believe will drive teachers out of Oklahoma.  

One proposal would require Oklahoma teachers to take a naturalization (citizenship) test before they can teach. This issue was part of a larger proposal to ensure lawmakers vote on rules that come from state departments like OSDE.

Immigration rules from OSDE have brought concerns from lawmakers 

Earlier this year, the state board of education approved rules that would allow schools to collect citizenship data of students.  

“I believe that the request that schools request citizenship information is not within their statutory authority,” said Rep. John Waldron, D-Tulsa, during Wednesday’s House Committee on Administrative Rules hearing. 

Gov. Kevin Stitt has spoken against OSDE’s immigration policy recommendations. Stitt has said children are being used as “political pawns.” Stitt echoed his concerns over these recommendations at Wednesday’s news conference. 

“Maybe we shouldn’t put kids on a list,” Stitt said. “I’m not gonna start on picking on seven and eight-year-olds and start putting them on a list. It’s not a public safety issue.” 

In February, Stitt replaced three board members and appointed Chris Van Denhende, Michael Tinney, and Ryan Deatherage in their places. Stitt said he wanted the board members to act independently from State Superintendent Ryan Walters. The board and Walters have argued in recent weeks over proposed social studies standards.

Lawmakers on both sides disagree with OSDE potential rule changes 

At Wednesday's House Committee on Administrative Rules meeting, democrats and republicans shared concerns over the potential citizenship test requirement for teachers to become certified in Oklahoma.   

“I, too, think that to require career teachers to go back to a test like this for re-certification is a bit of an overreach,” Rep. Marilyn Stark, R-Bethany. 

Potential teacher recruitment problems 

Rep. Michelle McCane, D-Tulsa, said the rule could cause more issues with Oklahoma being able to attract and retain teachers. 

“We would just have a lot of people that just would choose not to enter the profession here,” McCane said. 

McCane is a former Tulsa teacher and said this requirement is a waste of money. 

“If teachers are paying for it, that is an extra burden on them that many may not want to take on - and if the state is paying for it, then we’re not being responsible with taxpayer funds,” McCane said. 

Bill to change administrative rules approval process 

On Wednesday, McCane and her colleagues passed Senate Bill 995 in committee. The bill would change that process, requiring lawmakers to approve administrative rules before they can take effect. Under current law, lawmakers are not required to vote on new administrative rules for them to pass. 

“Allow for more oversight of the rules,” McCane said. “If we are doing anything out of inaction, to me, that’s a problem. I think anything that a legislative body does should be intentional. We should have to say yes or no.”  

McCane said local government needs more transparency, so questions from citizens lead to answers from politicians. 

“OSDE is kind of the focus because that’s where we’ve seen an issue,” McCane said. “We can really pay attention to what we’re passing. “It’s the people’s house. “That means that we have to give our district a voice.” 

What’s next? 

Senate Bill 995 (on the administrative rules process) passed the committee with some amendments. That means the bill has to go through the House and Senate again before moving to Stitt's desk.