By AP
Oklahoma City, OK –
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Budget cuts in Okla. education ax popular programs
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The Oklahoma education budget was cut by about 4 percent because of a massive state budget shortfall. Now, educators are feeling the effect of the cuts.
The Oklahoman reports that among cuts is a $15 million program that pays teachers bonuses for achieving national board certification. The program paid about 3,000 teachers an extra $5,000 as an incentive to go through the certification process.
Also cut was a $2,000 payment to teachers to cover the costs of getting certified.
State schools Superintendent Janet Barresi says the cuts don't amount to a no-confidence vote on the programs. But she says with the tight budget, she had to focus available money on core programs.
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Information from: The Oklahoman, http://www.newsok.com
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.