Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-506.1

The compact for education is hereby entered into and enacted

into law with all jurisdictions legally joining therein, in the form

substantially as follows:

COMPACT FOR EDUCATION

ARTICLE I. PURPOSE AND POLICY

A. It is the purpose of this Compact to:

1. Establish and maintain close cooperation and understanding

among executive, legislative, professional educational and lay

leadership on a nationwide basis at the state and local levels.

2. Provide a forum for the discussion, development,

crystallization and recommendation of public policy alternatives in

the field of education.

3. Provide a clearinghouse of information on matters relating

to educational problems and how they are being met in different

places throughout the nation, so that the executive and legislative

branches of state government and of local communities may have ready

access to the experience and record of the entire country, and so

that both lay and professional groups in the field of education may

have additional avenues for the sharing of experience and the

interchange of ideas in the formation of public policy in education.

4. Facilitate the improvement of state and local educational

systems so that all of them will be able to meet adequate and

desirable goals in a society which requires continuous qualitative

and quantitative advice in educational opportunities, methods and

facilities.

B. It is the policy of this Compact to encourage and promote

local and state initiative in the development, maintenance,

improvement and administration of educational systems and

institutions in a manner which will accord with the needs and

advantages of diversity among localities and states.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 997

C. The party states recognize that each of them has an interest

in the quality and quantity of education furnished in each of the

other states, as well as in the excellence of its own educational

systems and institutions, because of the highly mobile character of

individuals within the nation, and because the products and services

contributing to the health, welfare and economic advancement of each

state are supplied in significant part by persons educated in other

states.

ARTICLE II. STATE DEFINED

As used in this Compact, "State" means a state, territory, or

possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

ARTICLE III. THE COMMISSION

A. The Educational Commission of the states, hereinafter called

"the Commission", is hereby established. The Commission shall

consist of seven (7) members representing each party state. One of

such members shall be the Governor; two shall be members of the

State Legislature selected by its respective houses and serving in

such manner as the Legislature may determine; one shall be the

Chancellor of the State Regents for Higher Education; one shall be

the State Superintendent of Public Instruction; and two shall be

appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor, unless the

laws of the state otherwise provide. If the laws of a state prevent

legislators from serving on the Commission, six members shall be

appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor, unless the

laws of the state otherwise provide. In addition to any other

principles or requirements which a state may establish for the

appointment and service of its members of the Commission, the

guiding principle for the composition of the membership on the

Commission from each party state shall be that the members

representing such state shall, by virtue of their training,

experience, knowledge or affiliations be in a position collectively

to reflect broadly the interests of the state government, higher

education, the state education system, local education, lay and

professional, public, and nonpublic educational leadership. Of

those appointees, one shall be the head of a state agency or
t the members

representing such state shall, by virtue of their training,

experience, knowledge or affiliations be in a position collectively

to reflect broadly the interests of the state government, higher

education, the state education system, local education, lay and

professional, public, and nonpublic educational leadership. Of

those appointees, one shall be the head of a state agency or

institution, designated by the Governor, having responsibility for

one or more programs of public education. In addition to the

members of the Commission representing the party states, there may

be not to exceed ten nonvoting Commissioners selected by the

steering committee for terms of one year. Such Commissioners shall

represent leading national organizations of professional educators

or persons concerned with educational administration.

B. The members of the Commission shall be entitled to one vote

each on the Commission. No action of the Commission shall be

binding unless taken at a meeting at which a majority of the total

number of votes on the Commission are cast in favor thereof. Action

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 998

of the Commission shall be only at a meeting at which a majority of

the Commissioners are present. The Commission shall meet at least

once a year. In its bylaws, and subject to such directions and

limitations as may be contained therein, the Commission may delegate

the exercise of any of its powers to the steering committee or the

Executive Director, except for the power to approve budgets or

requests for appropriations, the power to make policy

recommendations pursuant to Article IV and adoption of the annual

report pursuant to Article III(j).

C. The Commission shall have a seal.

D. The Commission shall elect annually, from among its members,

a chairman, who shall be a Governor, a vice-chairman and a

treasurer. The Commission shall provide for the appointment of an

executive director. Such executive director shall serve at the

pleasure of the Commission, and together with the treasurer and such

other personnel as the Commission may deem appropriate shall be

bonded in such amount as the Commission shall determine. The

executive director shall be secretary.

E. Irrespective of the civil service, personnel or other merit

system laws of any of the party states, the Executive Director

subject to the approval of the steering committee shall appoint,

remove or discharge such personnel as may be necessary for the

performance of the functions of the Commission, and shall fix the

duties and compensation of such personnel. The Commission in its

bylaws shall provide for the personnel policies and programs of the

Commission.

F. The Commission may borrow, accept or contract for the

services of personnel from any party jurisdiction, the United

States, or any subdivision or agency of the aforementioned

governments, or from any agency of two or more of the party

jurisdictions or their subdivisions.

G. The Commission may accept for any of its purposes and

functions under this Compact any and all donations, and grants of

money, equipment, supplies, materials and services, conditional or

otherwise, from any state, the United States or any other

governmental agency, or from any person, firm, association,

foundation, or corporation, and may receive, utilize and dispose of

the same. Any donation or grant accepted by the Commission pursuant

to this paragraph or services borrowed pursuant to paragraph (f) of

this article shall be reported in the annual report of the

Commission. Such report shall include the nature, amount and

conditions, if any, of the donation, grant, or services borrowed,

and the identity of the donor or lender.

H. The Commission may establish and maintain such facilities as

may be necessary for the transacting of its business. The

Commission may acquire, hold, and convey real and personal property

and any interest therein.
rt of the

Commission. Such report shall include the nature, amount and

conditions, if any, of the donation, grant, or services borrowed,

and the identity of the donor or lender.

H. The Commission may establish and maintain such facilities as

may be necessary for the transacting of its business. The

Commission may acquire, hold, and convey real and personal property

and any interest therein.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 999

I. The Commission shall adopt bylaws for the conduct of its

business and shall have the power to amend and rescind these bylaws.

The Commission shall publish its bylaws in convenient form and shall

file a copy thereof and a copy of any amendment thereto, with the

appropriate agency or officer in each of the party states.

J. The Commission annually shall make to the Governor and

Legislature of each party state a report covering the activities of

the Commission for the preceding year. The Commission may make such

additional reports as it may deem desirable.

ARTICLE IV. POWERS

In addition to authority conferred on the Commission by other

provisions of the compact, the Commission shall have authority to:

1. Collect, correlate, analyze and interpret information and

data concerning educational needs and resources.

2. Encourage and foster research in all aspects of education,

but with special reference to the desirable scope of instruction,

organization, administration, and instructional methods and

standards employed or suitable for employment in public educational

systems.

3. Develop proposals for adequate financing of education as a

whole and at each of its many levels.

4. Conduct or participate in research of the types referred to

in this article in any instance where the Commission finds that such

research is necessary for the advancement of the purposes and

policies of this Compact, utilizing fully the resources of national

associations, regional compact organizations for higher education,

and other agencies and institutions, both public and private.

5. Formulate suggested policies and plans for the improvement

of public education as a whole, or for any segment thereof, and make

recommendations with respect thereto available to the appropriate

governmental units, agencies and public officials.

6. Do such other things as may be necessary or incidental to

the administration of any of its authority or functions pursuant to

this Compact.

ARTICLE V. COOPERATION WITH FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

A. If the laws of the United States specifically so provide, or

if administrative provision is made therefor within the federal

government, the United States may be represented on the Commission

by not to exceed ten representatives. Any such representative or

representatives of the United States shall be appointed and serve in

such manner as may be provided by or pursuant to federal law, and

may be drawn from any one or more branches of the federal

government, but no such representative shall have a vote on the

Commission.

B. The Commission may provide information and make

recommendations to any executive or legislative agency or officer of

the federal government concerning the common educational policies of

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 1000

the state, and may advise with any such agencies or officers

concerning any matter of mutual interest.

ARTICLE VI. COMMITTEES

A. To assist in the expeditious conduct of its business when

the full Commission is not meeting, the Commission shall elect a

Steering Committee of thirty (30) members which, subject to the

provisions of this compact and consistent with the policies of the

Commission, shall be constituted and function as provided in the by-

laws of the Commission. One-third of the voting membership of the

Steering Committee shall consist of Governors, and the remainder

shall consist of other members of the Commission. A federal

representative on the Commission may serve with the Steering
to the

provisions of this compact and consistent with the policies of the

Commission, shall be constituted and function as provided in the by-

laws of the Commission. One-third of the voting membership of the

Steering Committee shall consist of Governors, and the remainder

shall consist of other members of the Commission. A federal

representative on the Commission may serve with the Steering

Committee, but without vote. The voting members of the Steering

Committee shall serve for terms of two (2) years, except that

members elected to the first Steering Committee of the Commission

shall be elected as follows: fifteen for one (1) year and fifteen

for two (2) years. The Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Treasurer of

the Commission shall be members of the Steering Committee and,

anything in this paragraph to the contrary notwithstanding, shall

serve during their continuance in these offices. Vacancies in the

Steering Committee shall not affect its authority to act, but the

Commission at its next regularly ensuing meeting following the

occurrence of any vacancy shall fill it for the unexpired term. No

person shall serve more than two terms as a member of the steering

committee: provided that service for a partial term of one (1) year

or less shall not be counted toward the two term limitation.

B. The Commission may establish advisory and technical

committees composed of state, local, and federal officials, and

private persons to advise it with respect to any one or more of its

functions. Any advisory or technical committee may, on request of

the states concerned, be established to consider any matter of

special concern to two or more of the party states.

C. The Commission may establish such additional committees as

its bylaws may provide.

ARTICLE VII. FINANCE

A. The Commission shall advise the Governor or designated

officer or officers of each party state of its budget and estimated

expenditures for such period as may be required by the laws of that

party state. Each of the Commission's budgets of estimated

expenditures shall contain specific recommendations of the amount or

amounts to be appropriated by each of the party states.

B. The total amount of appropriation requests under any budget

shall be apportioned among the party states. In making such

apportionment, the Commission shall devise and employ a formula

which takes equitable account of the populations and per capita

income levels of the party states.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 1001

C. The Commission shall not pledge the credit of any party

states. The Commission may meet any of its obligations in whole or

in part with funds available to it pursuant to Article III(g) of

this Compact, provided that the Commission takes specific action

setting aside such funds prior to incurring an obligation to be met

in whole or in part in such manner. Except where the Commission

makes use of funds available to it pursuant to Article III(g)

thereof, the Commission shall not incur any obligation prior to the

allotment of funds by the party states adequate to meet the same.

D. The Commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts

and disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of the Commission

shall be subject to the audit and accounting procedures established

by its bylaws. However, all receipts and disbursements of funds

handled by the Commission shall be audited yearly by a qualified

public accountant, and the report of the audit shall be included in

and become part of the annual reports of the Commission.

E. The accounts of the Commission shall be open at any

reasonable time for inspection by duly constituted officers of the

party states and by any persons authorized by the Commission.

F. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to prevent

Commission compliance with laws relating to audit or inspection of

accounts by or on behalf of any government contributing to the

support of the Commission.
he accounts of the Commission shall be open at any

reasonable time for inspection by duly constituted officers of the

party states and by any persons authorized by the Commission.

F. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to prevent

Commission compliance with laws relating to audit or inspection of

accounts by or on behalf of any government contributing to the

support of the Commission.

ARTICLE VIII. ELIGIBLE PARTIES; ENTRY INTO AND WITHDRAWAL

A. This compact shall have as eligible parties all states,

territories, and possessions of the United States, the District of

Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. In respect of any

such jurisdiction not having a Governor, the term "Governor", as

used in this compact, shall mean the closest equivalent official of

such jurisdiction.

B. Any state or other eligible jurisdiction may enter into this

compact and it shall become binding thereon when it has adopted the

same: provided that in order to enter into initial effect, adoption

by at least ten eligible party jurisdictions shall be required.

C. Adoption of the compact may be either by enactment thereof

or by adherence thereto by the Governor; provided that in the

absence of enactment, adherence by the Governor shall be sufficient

to make his state a party only until December 31, 1967. During any

period when a state is participating in this compact through

gubernatorial action, the Governor shall appoint those persons who,

in addition to himself, shall serve as the members of the Commission

from his state, and shall provide to the Commission an equitable

share of the financial support of the Commission from any source

available to him.

D. Except for a withdrawal effective on December 31, 1967, in

accordance with paragraph C of this article, any party state may

withdraw from this compact by enacting a statute repealing the same,

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 1002

but no such withdrawal shall take effect until one year after the

Governor of the withdrawing state has given notice in writing of the

withdrawal to the Governors of all other party states. No

withdrawal shall affect any liability already incurred by or

chargeable to a party state prior to the time of such withdrawal.

ARTICLE IX. CONSTRUCTION AND SEVERABILITY

This Compact shall be liberally construed so as to effectuate

the purposes thereof. The provisions of this compact shall be

severable and if any phrase, clause, sentence or provision of this

compact is declared to be contrary to the constitution of any state

or of the United States, or the applicability thereof to any

government, agency, person or circumstance is held invalid, the

validity of the remainder of this compact and the applicability

thereof to any Government, agency, person or circumstance shall not

be affected thereby. If this compact shall be held contrary to the

constitution of any state participating therein, the compact shall

remain in full force and effect as to the State affected as to all

severable matters.