Lankford Stands Up for Oklahoma Parents’ Access to Charter Schools

WASHINGTON, DC – Senators James Lankford (R-OK) joined Senators Tim Scott (R-SC) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) led 24 of their colleagues in championing a resolution celebrating National Charter School Week and commending charter schools on their contribution to education. 

“Charter schools remain a vital option for parents who want to be sure their child’s education meets the unique needs of their child, regardless of their zip code,” said Lankford. “Charter schools should be able to compete on a level playing field with other traditional public schools, private schools, and faith-based schools to offer a high-quality option to kids and parents. I am glad to join Senators Scott and Bennet and our colleagues to support access to charter schools in Oklahoma and around the nation.” 

“Education is the closest thing to magic we have in America,” said Scott. “As someone who grew up with a single mom, in a family mired in poverty, I understand the power of a good quality education. Every child – no matter their zip code – should have access to an education that sets them up to live out their version of the American Dream. That’s why millions of families have turned to the high-quality education provided by charter schools to offer a better future for their child. This week, we double down on our mission to support our nation’s charter schools and the many families and students who choose them.”

“Every kid deserves access to a high-quality education and the chance to graduate with the skills to earn a living wage,” said Bennet. “During National Charter Schools Week, we celebrate the teachers and school leaders who work every day to educate and shape the next generation.”

Joining Senators Lankford, Scott and Bennet on the resolution are Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Katie Britt (R-AL), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Mike Braun (R-IN), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Tom Carper (D-DE), Chris Coons (D-DE), John Cornyn (R-TX), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Jim Risch (R-ID), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Rick Scott (R-FL), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Todd Young (R-IN).

Lankford remains a strong school-choice and parental rights advocate that puts parents at the helm of their kids’ education. When new rules for charter schools were under consideration, he urged the Department of Education to reconsider proposed rules redefining the Charter School Program. He stood firmly for parental rights and school choice when he called for the Senate to immediately pass his resolution to support parents having the freedom to choose the best educational environment for their kids and remain in control of whether or not they want their children exposed to “woke” ideologies at school, including Critical Race Theory and others. Democrats blocked the Senate from unanimously standing up for American parents. 

Lankford voted on a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to disapprove of the Biden Administration’s new rules adding burdensome requirements to charter schools seeking funding. Lankford, Scott, and 20 of their colleagues introduced the resolution in September. The measure failed in a vote of 49 to 49.

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