Articles
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Education
Barrier to special-needs education access could fall
Children with special needs would have faster access to a state scholarship program that pays for private-school tuition under legislation approved by an Oklahoma Senate committee.Ray Carter | February 14, 2023
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Education
Senators seek to improve Oklahoma’s abysmal student performance
Expectations matter. For too long, Oklahoma has sent the implicit message that we don’t expect students to learn to read or do well in academics. The need for change is clear. Senate lawmakers deserve credit for trying to raise the bar.Jonathan Small | February 14, 2023
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Education
Legislation would reduce Oklahoma high-school athletic competition
Legislation has been filed that supporters say could result in private schools being barred from playoffs that include public schools. Essentially, state high-school athletics could be divided into two separate systems, one for public schools and one for private schools.Ray Carter | February 13, 2023
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Education, Culture & the Family
School transparency bill clears Oklahoma House subcommittee
Parents would have online access to textbooks and instructional materials used in their children’s classes under legislation that has won easy approval in a state House subcommittee.Ray Carter | February 13, 2023
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Education
Facing strong school choice support, union touts push poll
A new poll released by public-school interest groups says Oklahomans oppose school choice. In contrast, the polling firm that was correct about the Stitt-Hofmeister race continues to find lopsided support for school choice in Oklahoma.Ray Carter | February 9, 2023
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Education
Here’s how to raise Oklahoma teachers’ pay
If all of these proposals were adopted, a high-performing teacher could see an approximately $24,000 pay raise. That may sound fanciful to some, but it proves that there is a route to making a robust financial commitment to teachers while also reforming the education system so that those investments are aimed at improving student outcomes.Curtis Shelton | February 9, 2023
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Education
Oklahoma public schools spend $12,967 per student
According to Oklahoma State Department of Education data from the Oklahoma Cost Accounting System, school district expenditures in 2022 totaled $9,058,129,282.81. Student enrollment is 698,577. Thus, the per-student expenditure is $12,967.Brandon Dutcher & Curtis Shelton | February 8, 2023
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Education
Lawmakers vote to end school bans on student Indian regalia
American Indian students in Oklahoma public schools could not be prohibited from wearing tribal regalia under legislation that has won committee approval in the Oklahoma Senate.Ray Carter | February 7, 2023
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Budget & Tax, Education
A spending increase is not a ‘cut’
Those who proclaim spending increases and teacher pay raises are “cuts” are not only crying wolf—they are also insulting voters’ intelligence.Jonathan Small | February 7, 2023
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Education
Superintendent warns federal funds can strip state control
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters warned lawmakers that they risk losing control of state schools if they accept all forms of federal funding without hesitation.Ray Carter | February 1, 2023