Oklahoma Constitution Article XIII: EDUCATION
Oklahoma Constitution – Article XIII: Education – Summary
Purpose:
Article XIII of the Oklahoma Constitution lays the foundation for the state's public education system. It defines the state's responsibility to provide free public education and establishes key structures for educational governance.
Key Provisions:
Free Public Schools (Section 1):
The Legislature must establish and maintain a system of free public schools open to all children in the state.
Compulsory Attendance (Section 2):
The Legislature shall require children of school age to attend school (with certain exceptions), ensuring universal education access.
Separate Schools (Section 3): (Historical context)
Mandated separate schools for white and African American children.
Note: This section has been rendered unconstitutional and unenforceable due to federal civil rights rulings (e.g., Brown v. Board of Education, 1954).
State Superintendent (Section 4):
Establishes the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, elected by the people, to oversee the public school system.
School Land Commission (Section 5):
Provides for the Commissioners of the Land Office to manage lands granted to the state for the benefit of schools and education.
School Funds (Section 6):
Outlines the creation and protection of permanent school funds, which support public education.
Higher Education Institutions (Sections 7–13):
Establishes and authorizes the governance of institutions of higher education, such as the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State University), and others.
Use of Funds (Sections 4a, 6a):
Specifies how education funds must be used strictly for public education purposes.
Additional Notes:
Article XIII reflects Oklahoma’s strong constitutional commitment to education as a public good.
Though it includes provisions that are now outdated (e.g., segregated schooling), they remain in the text for historical reference but have no legal effect.
The article also intersects with other parts of the Constitution that further define educational institutions and governance, such as Article XIII-A (State System of Higher Education).
RELATED Blog
0 comments