Articles
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Education, Culture & the Family
Oklahoma educators should teach the success sequence
Gov. Kevin Stitt declared November to be “Family Month” in Oklahoma. Policy makers should consider having Oklahoma educators teach the success sequence.Brandon Dutcher | November 3, 2023
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Education
Oklahoma A-F grades provide transparency
A-to-F letter grades are a longstanding way of signifying academic achievement. That’s why some school officials in Oklahoma are now fighting to get rid of grades for both students and schools.Jonathan Small | November 1, 2023
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Education
On reading, Oklahoma working to catch up to Mississippi
Oklahoma and Mississippi share similarities in student demographics, but they are very different when it comes to students’ ability to read, with Mississippi outperforming Oklahoma. State officials are now trying to change that trend and close the gap, and some see Mississippi as a model.Ray Carter | October 30, 2023
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Education
Oklahoma school-choice tax credit implementation advances
If Gov. Kevin Stitt supports the rules as expected, Oklahoma families will be able to apply for refundable tax credits to pay for private-school tuition starting on Dec. 1.Ray Carter | October 25, 2023
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Education
Oklahoma reading instruction, teacher prep, failing students
Despite spending billions of taxpayer dollars on public schools each year, a strong majority of Oklahoma children are not proficient in reading.Ray Carter | October 20, 2023
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Education
Teachers union touts website criticized as ‘a pedophile’s paradise’
For “National Coming Out Day,” the National Education Association (NEA) is encouraging educators to use materials that suggest students should be prepared to leave their family home.Ray Carter | October 16, 2023
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Education, Law & Principles
AG warns Tax Commission on rules for school-choice program
In a letter to the Oklahoma Tax Commission, Attorney General Gentner Drummond warned the commission that its proposed rules for the Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit Act impose excessive bureaucracy not authorized by the law and fail to make the program user-friendly for parents.Ray Carter | October 13, 2023
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Education
Absenteeism surging in Oklahoma schools
A recent legislative study highlighted another downside of COVID school shutdowns: They are associated with a much higher level of chronic absenteeism after the pandemic.Ray Carter | October 12, 2023
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Education
School climate outweighs pay in teacher retention
During a recent legislative study, lawmakers were told one reason for the persistence of the teacher shortage is that school climate and societal trends can outweigh financial considerations for many teachers.Ray Carter | October 11, 2023
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Education
Oklahoma school officials: Scrap A-F grades for schools and students
During a legislative study this week, school officials urged lawmakers to scrap the state’s A-F school report cards—and indicated they want to do the same for students even though parents oppose that move.Ray Carter | October 3, 2023