Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-1210.52

It is the intention of the Legislature to provide for the

improvement of the public schools of Oklahoma:

(a) by increasing the amount of state financial aid to local

school districts;

(b) by encouraging local school districts to make a maximum

effort to increase their local financial support of their own public

schools in each such school district;

(c) by encouraging local school districts to initiate and

maintain free public kindergartens without compelling such

kindergartens;

(d) by basing state financial aid upon the child and not upon

the classroom unit, the teacher or any other factor;

(e) by strengthening the partnership between the state and the

local school districts in the fulfillment of their joint obligation

to provide education for Oklahoma's children; and

(f) by preserving the autonomy of each local school district and

the citizens thereof to decide the kind and quality of education to

be provided for the children of that district.

It is the further intention of the Legislature to increase and

improve the educational opportunities of the children of Oklahoma

through increased financial support of the public schools in order

to allow local school districts more ample funds:

(a) to increase the compensation of teachers;

(b) to reduce the nonteaching duties of teachers;

(c) to reduce class sizes;

(d) to improve, enlarge and enrich curriculum;

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 1166

(e) to provide special education for children with learning

disabilities; and

(f) to encourage local school districts to initiate and maintain

free public kindergartens without compelling such, while preserving

to each local school district and the citizens thereof a maximum

autonomy in determining which needs are most important and the

priorities of such needs as to available funds. This Act should be

administered, interpreted and construed liberally to effectuate

these purposes.