Oklahoma State Senate
Senator Stratton Taylor
President Pro Tempore Emeritus
Chairman, Appropriations Subcommittee on Education
Senate District 2
Rogers and Mayes counties

For Immediate Release: February 13, 2006

Taylor Comments on Senator Wilcoxson’s Misrepresentation of Facts

“Sadly, Senator Wilcoxson is misrepresenting what happened in the Education Committee today.

“The Senate Education Committee voted to pass a plan that would increase incentives for teachers to become national board certified as well as increase incentives for teachers to become mentors to less experienced teachers in Oklahoma classrooms.

“Senator Wilcoxson’s amendment would have added another layer of bureaucratic red tape for teachers who are taking the personal responsibility to become nationally board certified and that is simply wrong. Her amendment could in fact, lead to the decrease of teachers who are seeking national board certification status.

“Senate Democrats want greater accountability in Oklahoma classrooms and offering greater financial incentives to teachers who are willing to undertake a rigorous curriculum to become national board certified and to teachers who agree to mentor less experienced teachers will certainly help us reach that goal.

“It is sad that Senator Wilcoxson is choosing to misrepresent the facts in order to score political points on an issue that should clearly reach far beyond party lines.”

For more information contact:
Senator Taylor's Office - (405) 521-5555