House defeats higher ed remediation bill

Tuesday, March 7th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Opponents of a measure to end remedial courses at Oklahoma's two largest universities say it would put new burdens on students and further restrict access to the flagship schools.

The measure, which was defeated by the state House on Monday, would end remedial courses in core subjects such as math and English for incoming freshmen at the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University.

"I think they ought to have the opportunity to choose where they go to school," Rep. Kenneth Corn, D-Howe, said during debate on House Bill 1710 by Rep. Carolyn Coleman, R-Moore. "Let's give them school choice when it comes to higher education."

"Everyone should have the opportunity to succeed or fail," said Rep. Mark Seikel, D-Harrah.

Coleman said it is not the role of OU and OSU to provide remedial courses for deficient students. She said students who need them can take remedial courses at smaller schools, including junior colleges.

"It's costing money," she said. "We're talking about comprehensive universities doing high school work, and that's not their mission."

But opponents said ending remediation would defeat the role that land-grant colleges such as OSU have traditionally played as centers of higher education for working-class men and women.

"We should not put another burden on students," Corn said. "If that means remedial courses, so be it."

"We're micromanaging the universities," said Rep. Dale Wells, D-Cushing He said it is an injustice to require students with deficiencies in certain subjects to enroll at another school.

Coleman said Oklahoma's high school graduates should be prepared for university-level courses and should not need remediation. She said about 18 percent of freshmen at the state's four-year colleges require it.

"It's an economic drain for the state to be in this business. And we need to hold our students to higher standards," she said.

The House defeated an amendment by Rep. Clay Pope, D-Loyal, that would have guaranteed any Oklahoma high school graduate admission to OU or OSU.

"Let's give everybody a shot," Pope said. "Give those kids a chance to try." Rep. Russ Roach, D-Tulsa, said Pope's amendment runs a foul of what the state Board of Regents is trying to accomplish.

"It's a huge waste of the taxpayer's money to think everybody should go to OU or OSU," Roach said.

The 50-49 vote by which the bill was defeated may not be the end of the measure. Coleman said she may ask the House to reconsider the vote at a later date.

In other action Monday, the House:

--Voted 89-10 for House Bill 2400 by Rep. Wallace Collins, D-Norman, which would set up a voluntary program in counties, cities and towns to provide the mentally ill with help instead of handcuffs when they come into contact with law enforcement officials.

-- Passed House Bill 2474 by Rep. Al Lindley, D-Oklahoma City, which creates the Independent Living Services Act to support nonprofit centers for independent living where the disabled would help each other to live more independent lives.