Articles
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Education
Fort Worth recruits Oklahoma teachers
What allows Texas to pay its teachers thousands more per year than Oklahoma has been able to do for decades? There are differences in how Oklahoma and Texas structure and fund public education.Mike Brake | May 22, 2018
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Education
Too many mandates? School boards can now make them disappear
There is a relatively new law in town, only a few years on the books, that allows a school board to designate any campus a “conversion school.”Brandon Dutcher | May 22, 2018
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Education
Cushing baseball coach out as police investigation continues
Coach Jon Yates had coached baseball for four years at the school, but every year had drawn criticism for his coaching style even as questions surrounding fiscal issues have swirled.Stacy Martin | May 18, 2018
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Education
Look closely at Texas on teacher pay
The Fort Worth Independent School District has rented 10 billboards around Norman, Oklahoma City, Stillwater and Tulsa advertising starting teacher salaries of $52,000 a year.Jonathan Small | May 18, 2018
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Education
2017 Oklahoma student proficiency rates
Though test scores aren’t everything, they are one useful measurement—and Oklahoma’s new test score standards provide parents and taxpayers with a more honest assessment of student performance.Brandon Dutcher | May 16, 2018
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Budget & Tax, Economy
A look at the April economic report
The Oklahoma Treasurer’s monthly economic report was released this week highlighting April revenue collections. The Treasurer’s report shows a breakdown of total gross receipts collected for the month along with a breakdown of various economic measures for the state of Oklahoma.Curtis Shelton | May 16, 2018
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Budget & Tax
State spending growth vs. population growth and rate of inflation
Spending has grown substantially over the last two decades. That is a simple fact, but it’s reasonable to ask how growth compares to changes in population or the economy. Let’s take a look.Curtis Shelton | May 16, 2018
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Budget & Tax
State appropriations vs. total Oklahoma government spending
In discussions about taxes and state government spending in Oklahoma, some advocates insist that available funding has been slashed to the bone for important public services.Curtis Shelton & Dave Bond | May 15, 2018
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Budget & Tax
A look back: 25 years of state spending
The data analyzed in these charts come from Oklahoma’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) created by the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES).Curtis Shelton | May 15, 2018
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Budget & Tax
State appropriations over the last eight years
The signing of Senate Bill 1600 completed the last legislative budget of Gov. Mary Fallin’s time in office. This is a good time to look back on how state appropriations have changed over the last eight years.Curtis Shelton | May 15, 2018