Articles
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Budget & Tax, Education
Watchdog report: No shortage of funds in Oklahoma schools
Funding for Oklahoma public schools surged more in the last five years than in the prior 25 years. So far, there is little indication that this massive spending binge has generated any notable improvement in academic outcomes.Ray Carter | June 26, 2024
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Budget & Tax
A look at Oklahoma DHS spending
Continuing his series on Oklahoma’s 10 largest state agencies, Curtis Shelton looks at funding growth at the Department of Human Services.Curtis Shelton | June 26, 2024
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Education, Law & Principles
Oklahoma Supreme Court blocks religious charter school, but reinforces private-school-choice legality
The Oklahoma Supreme Court has ruled that the Oklahoma Constitution prohibits the Catholic Church from operating a state charter school. But the court majority’s decision also reinforced the legality of private-school-choice programs that put parents in control.Ray Carter | June 25, 2024
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Culture & the Family
Research shows marriage crucial to societal thriving
The biggest issue driving a lot of America’s most pressing problems is the retreat from marriage, a University of Virginia professor told an OCPA audience this week.Ray Carter | June 25, 2024
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Education
School choice big winner in Oklahoma primary elections
School choice played a prominent role in several state legislative races across Oklahoma this month.Ray Carter | June 24, 2024
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Education
Phonics key to reversing bad Oklahoma trends
A new Oklahoma law requires that Oklahoma teachers be trained in “the science of reading” so that they can teach children to read rather than to guess.Jonathan Small | June 24, 2024
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Budget & Tax
Arkansas cuts income tax rates (again)
While Oklahoma chose massive government-spending hikes in 2024, Arkansas cut its income-tax rate from 4.4 percent to 3.9 percent.Curtis Shelton | June 20, 2024
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Higher Education
Oklahoma Legislature can stop CCP influence in higher ed
Some states are taking action to protect their educational institutions from Chinese Communist Party (CCP) influence. Oklahoma should do likewise.Trent England | June 20, 2024
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Budget & Tax
A look at transportation spending
Continuing his blog series on Oklahoma’s 10 largest state agencies, today Curtis Shelton looks at spending growth at the Department of Transportation.Curtis Shelton | June 19, 2024
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Education
Short school year hurting Oklahoma students
New research on shorter school years, including in Oklahoma, shows short school years have a significant, negative cumulative impact on student learning over time.Ray Carter | June 18, 2024