Influence of ALEC on public education in Oklahoma

Abstract

This thesis is preliminary research that has been conducted about the highly influential national organization known as the American Legislative Exchange Council or ALEC, a corporate bill mill. The goal of this preliminary inquiry is to provide more information about the state organization’s influence and activity in shaping Oklahoma’s education system, raise public awareness about its practices, and advocate for more transparency regarding ALEC’s meetings and the legislators who have benefitted from being ALEC members. This preliminary research consists of a review of ALEC’s website, relevant documents, and two interviews including one Oklahoma Education Association (OEA) representative and one elected official who is an ALEC member. Although this topic and organization warrants further investigation, these findings provide insight into the organization, laying the groundwork for future explorations, while also allowing me to practice fieldwork with an organization that tends to operate covertly.