Elevate Oklahoma's Kids

Classrooms are hot political battleground, but that's nothing new America's classrooms are a hot political battleground. That's nothing new, though experts agree that the political debate around education has reached a fever

We've been dealt unfortunate news. The Oklahoma Legislature was unable to come together and put education first. SB 407 would have supplied life-changing opportunities to lower-income families across the state AND provided more grants for innovative public school projects.

This would have been a win for ALL kids and ALL schools. We are extremely disappointed students and families won't be afforded more opportunities to succeed. But we will never give up or lose hope. We will back next legislative session fighting to increase the tax-credit cap. We believe in this issue!

Thanks to all who called legislators and supported our mission.

🚨 THE FINAL COUNTDOWN 🚨

The Legislature could adjourn as early as the end of the week. NOW is the time to push SB 407 over the finish line! Call your legislators TODAY and tell them to put Oklahoma families and education first. Increasing the tax credit cap will provide more K-12 scholarships to families in need while simultaneously providing more grants for public school projects. SB 407 helps ALL kids and ALL schools.

Click here to take action and find your legislators' contact information: https://bit.ly/2xttmRG

Increasing the cap on tax credits that can be issued for private donations to scholarship-granting organizations does not benefit "an elite few."

Meet Alexis Ford, a tax credit scholarship beneficiary who grew up with an abusive father. She endured years of "a living hell," which put her on a downward spiral of theft, drugs, suicidal thoughts and social isolation.

An equal opportunity scholarship literally helped save her life. She found an accepting and nurturing learning environment at The Cross Christian Academy. In 20 months, she was able to kick her addictions and gain life skills. Now, she's on the path to success.

Passing SB 407 means more students like Alexis will be able to find learning environments best suited to their needs. These scholarships aren't for the elite — they provide life-altering opportunities to students in need.

After ‘a living hell,’ teenage girl finds a new beginning - Elevate Oklahoma’s Kids by Ray Carter – April 6, 2019

It's time to show your support for ALL kids and ALL schools! SB 407 will Increase the tax credit cap on donations to $30 million, which will directly benefit public school projects and provide more K-12 scholarships for Oklahoma families in need.

ZIP codes should NOT dictate destiny, and no child's potential should be limited. Tell your legislators to put our kids first and pass SB 407!

Click here to take action: https://bit.ly/2xttmRG

SB 407 is about helping all kids at all K-12 schools throughout Oklahoma, not just those born into certain circumstances. That's why it's so important to urge your legislators to get this bill passed!

Don't you agree it's time to invest in our kids' education and help lower-income families across the state?

Find your legislators' contact information here: https://bit.ly/2xttmRG

Thanks to the Equal Opportunity Scholarship program, Alegra Williams was able to enroll her son at Crossover Preparatory Academy. A new school and a new environment proved to be life-changing.

SB 407 would grant more of these opportunities to parents across Oklahoma, while simultaneously providing more funding for public schools. ALL kids and ALL schools win if SB 407 passes!

Urge your legislators to put education first. Click here to take action: https://bit.ly/33PoPVK

Laura Martinez is on a mission to be the first person in her entire family to graduate from college. But she wouldn’t be on that path without the Equal Opportunity Scholarship program. A scholarship secured her spot at Cristo Rey Oklahoma City Catholic High School, where she is getting the right tools and experience.

“I wish everyone could have the advantages that I have had through the Equal Opportunity Scholarship program. Cristo Rey reminds us to focus on faith, service and purpose. I feel like I’ve really found my purpose here.” - Laura Martinez

SB 407 will help more students like Laura achieve lifelong dreams. Tell your legislators it’s time to increase the cap on tax credit donations. Click here to learn more: https://bit.ly/33PoPVK

Over the last month, we've seen how difficult providing the proper technology for distance learning has been for many of our schools. SB 407 will help public schools in desperate need of project funding, and it will provide more opportunities for families wanting to provide a different learning environment for their children.

Click here to learn more and find your legislators — tell them it's time to take action: https://bit.ly/33PoPVK

Employers around the state are being hit hard by the COVID-19 health crisis. Layoffs and salary cuts have increased, which means more families that didn’t need our help before are going to need us now.

That's why passing SB 407 is more important than ever. Increasing the tax credit cap on donations to $30 million will provide more K-12 scholarships to families in need. It will also help fund more public school projects, meaning ALL kids and ALL schools will be positively impacted by this legislation.

Urge your legislators to pass SB 407 to help Oklahoma families and students affected by the pandemic. Click here to learn more: https://bit.ly/33PoPVK

The COVID-19 crisis has taught us public education needs more innovation. Instead of making excuses, we should seize the opportunity to brainstorm more ways to use remote learning and other innovative learning methods.

That's why passing SB 407 is so important — it will allow public schools to fund some of the ideas that will come out of this time of distance learning. It is time to bring public education into the 21st century and prepare our children for the future.

Point of View: Now is the time for innovation in public education - Elevate Oklahoma’s Kids By Robert Ruiz - April 12, 2020