Oklahoma education ills an issue in governor race

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – An underfunded, little-known Democratic candidate for governor has a new tool to use in attacking the Republican incumbent after the federal government stripped Oklahoma of authority to decide how to spend millions in education funding because of the state’s repeal of national academic standards.

State Rep. Joe Dorman of Rush Springs says Republican Gov. Mary Fallin’s role in the repeal of the Common Core English and math standards is the latest example of a lack of leadership and flip-flopping, citing issues such as storm shelters for public schools and the creation of a state health insurance exchange.

Dorman says Oklahoma school children will be hurt because of the education policy problems. Fallin’s spokesman declined comment other than to note that Dorman had voted in the Legislature to repeal Common Core.