Senate Bill 1792: Math Proficiency as a Requirement for Attaining a Driver's License

Author:
Senator Paddack

Summary:
Oklahoma law currently requires that people applying for a driver's license or permit and who are under 18 attend school and show proficiency in reading. This bill would also require that a proficiency in mathematics be proven.

Reasons to Oppose Senate Bill 1792:

1. Teens who have proved they can drive safely should not be denied a license just because they cannot pass a math test. Math ability has nothing to do with driving ability.

2. If homeschoolers were to take the statewide criterion referenced test, they would be at a major disadvantage because it is based on the state curriculum, which homeschoolers do not use.

3. Homeschoolers would have no control over what alternative tests the Department of Education might approve. This would put them at a significant disadvantage.

4. A driver's license is an important gateway to meet basic transportation needs for those who have demonstrated they can drive safely. It must not be trivialized into a reward for good behavior for students who have jumped though enough hoops.

Status:

01/21/2006		Senate: Prefiled
2/6/2006		First Reading in Senate
2/7/2006		Second Reading in Senate
2/8/2006		Referred to Senate Education Committee
2/20/2006		Education Committee Hearing
3/6/2006		Floor vote Measure and Emergency passed: Ayes: 32 Nays: 15
3/7/2006		First Reading in House
3/16/2006		Second Reading in House, referred to Common Education Committee

HSLDA's Position:
Oppose.

Action Requested:
None requested at this time.

Other Resources

Feb.-17-2006—Oklahoma—Calls Needed to Stop Math Requirement for Driver's License

Feb.-23-2006—Oklahoma—Calls Needed to Stop Driver's License Restriction

Mar.-3-2006—Oklahoma—Calls Still Needed to Stop Driver's License Restriction