Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt announced a new initiative called ‘Classrooms to Careers’ to reform graduation requirements for students.

“In Oklahoma, we’re turning classrooms into career launchpads. From expanding apprenticeships to higher education, we want to prepare every student for success in the workforce,” Stitt said.

According to KOKH, the governor’s initiative would require students to graduate from Oklahoma high schools.

“Stitt also wants students to have to be accepted into a college. If not college, he says kids should be accepted into a CareerTech,” the outlet reports.

“Otherwise, Stitt says a student would have to be going into the army,” it continued.

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The outlet noted that the governor’s office said “he is not suggesting mandatory military service.”

“You have to have some kind of plan post-graduation to go get a great job,” Stitt said.

KOKH reports:

Joe Dorman with the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy says he likes the idea of getting students ready for life after graduating high school, but he says there needs to be some exceptions.

“There are children out there that are not capable,” Dorman said. “You’ll have children with special needs, and other categories. It will be difficult for them to be able to move into the workforce.”

The former lawmaker says state leaders should give students more opportunities through classes to better prepare them for their future.

“You have so many children these days that are graduating that don’t know how to do a load of laundry. They don’t know how to use an oven. We’ve got to make sure that these kids have those life skills classes in place. You have to have those opportunities for children to do some type of apprenticeship, or have opportunities for them to learn about other jobs.”

Dorman says while lawmakers often think about reading, writing and arithmetic, they also need to focus on how children can survive on their own once they graduate.

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Per KOCO:

Stitt’s initiative includes reformed graduation requirements, the Parental Choice Tax Credit Act, recognition of relevant work experience as high school credit by CareerTechs, and the addition of more financial literacy courses in high schools.

“I would love to see more support for our public education across the board,” Darrow said. “More support for our teachers, for our counselors, our school nurses, bus drivers, etc.”

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Darrow also supports Stitt’s push for reducing phone usage in schools, noting that a committee has been formed to address this issue.

“I did not realize that until before this committee and I was hearing some of the stories from teachers and principals,” Darrow said. “But it’s certainly relevant and it’s certainly real.”

As the new year approaches, the next legislative session is set to begin in February, where further discussions on educational investments and policies are expected.

 

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