Oklahoma
State Senate
Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
405-521-5774
For Immediate Release: January 17, 2008
Flanked by Senate co-author Debbe Leftwich, University
and College Presidents
and high school students, Sen. Kenneth Corn on Thursday unveils
his plan
to create Oklahoma’s ‘Second Century Promise’
Sen. Corn Files Bill Creating Oklahoma’s
‘Second Century Promise’
State Sen. Kenneth
Corn has filed legislation to create Oklahoma’s “Second
Century Promise.” The program will target students who currently
do not qualify for Oklahoma’s Promise scholarship program,
formerly known as OHLAP.
“There are three words I use to describe Second Century
Promise—hope, change and opportunity,” said Corn,
D-Poteau. “This is a fundamental change in how we develop
an educated work force. It will provide hope to kids who may not
feel college is an option because of the cost, and it’s
an opportunity for Oklahoma to leapfrog our surrounding states
by increasing the number of college graduates. This will help
attract high paying jobs, grow our economy and ultimately improve
the quality of life for our entire state.”
Since first unveiling the concept last year, Corn has met with
people in all areas of higher education, common education, legislators
from both parties as well as business and community leaders who
have each given input to help fine-tune the proposal.
“The initial feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive
and we received some very constructive suggestions about how to
improve the plan. That process has resulted in the creation of
Senate bill 2020, Oklahoma’s Second Century Promise, which
I believe is the most important piece of legislation we will consider
in the 2008 session.”
SB 2020 includes several key provisions, including:
• Raising the family income limit for Oklahoma’s Promise
from $50,000 to $80,000.
• All students would be required to enroll in Oklahoma’s
Promise, unless parents opt out.
• The program will be phased in to include students who
have not enrolled in Oklahoma’s Promise by providing a two-year
scholarship to any student who graduates from high school beginning
with the 2008-09 school year through 2012-13. During that time
period, any student meeting family income requirements and graduating
with a minimum 2.0 grade point average, or any home-school or
GED student scoring at least a 19 on the ACT, will be eligible
for tuition and fees at a two-year college or career-tech. They
would also have the option to attend a four-year institution,
and would receive a scholarship equal to the average tuition and
fees charged at two-year institutions.
• The program will not cover any remedial courses.
“Beginning in 2014, high school students
who do not achieve the required 2.5 GPA to qualify for the Oklahoma
Promise four-year scholarship would still be eligible for a two-year
scholarship if their GPA is at least 2.0,” Corn explained.
“Furthermore, if they keep their GPA above 2.5 in their
first two years of college, they’ll be eligible for Oklahoma
Promise scholarships for the final two years. It’s what
I call a second chance provision, but they must have enrolled
in the program and completed all other requirements.”
Corn said his own experiences as a child strengthened his determination
to ensure all Oklahoma students have the opportunity to attend
college.
“When I was in the sixth-grade, I entered an essay contest
for a full college scholarship. I won, but I had to keep my grades
up through junior high and high school to keep it. My parents
didn’t have the resources to send me to college, but the
scholarship changed everything. Because I had that chance, I worked
hard in school and it has made all the difference in my life,”
Corn said. “I want every child in Oklahoma to have that
kind of hope and that opportunity.”
Corn said if approved by the legislature and Gov. Brad Henry,
his legislation would take effect during the 2009-2010 school
year.
For more information contact:
Senator Corn's Office - (405) 521-5576
