Articles
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Education
Why did these charter schools fail?
A common refrain against expanding educational choices for students is that some of the choices may turn out not to work. That is exactly what happened in two New York City charter schools. The failure is tragic for the students whom the school has failed, but, like most failure, it is also instructive.Trent England | March 25, 2015
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Education
YOU GUEST IT: Schools should prepare students for life's realities
For some years now, many in education have tried to gut gifted-and-talented and honors school programs, or even eliminate the traditional top class rankings historically bestowed on valedictorians and salutatorians.Mike Brake | March 24, 2015
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Education
OEA, NEA have spent big on failed efforts to grow government
Whether it ought to have the state-granted power of collective bargaining or not, the OEA and its members have a right to engage in political activity. The question now faced by legislators is whether taxpayers should subsidize such political groups by serving as their dues collector.Trent England | March 23, 2015
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Education
Oklahoma Education Association dues fund anti-gun politics
Even with its membership declining, the Oklahoma Education Association (OEA) is the largest public employee union in the state. The group is on record stating, “education is politics.” Yet the politics of the group, and of its national affiliate, are not always widely known.Trent England | March 19, 2015
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Education
Taxpayer subsidies to abortion politics could end
A measure now pending in the Oklahoma Senate could extend the principle of right-to-work laws to state taxpayers. While workers in Oklahoma cannot be forced to support unions and union politics, current law forces taxpayers to provide dues-collection services to unions. This in-kind subsidy from taxpayers supports some surprising political causes.Trent England | March 18, 2015
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Education
YOU GUEST IT: Who’s afraid of school choice?
Will giving parents more educational options spell the end of the traditional district school system?Jason Bedrick | March 17, 2015
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Criminal Justice
Licensing reform key to corrections reform
In November of 2014, the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs released its 2015 Freedom Agenda. This document details the most significant public policy prescriptions we believe are vital to make lives better for Oklahomans.Jonathan Small & Lauren Aragon | March 11, 2015
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Judicial Reform
Judicial discretion key to corrections reform
In November of 2014, the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs released its 2015 Freedom Agenda. This document details the most significant public policy prescriptions we believe are vital to make lives better for Oklahomans.Jonathan Small & Lauren Aragon | March 10, 2015
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Education
OKC Schools listening tour no threat to status quo
On Thursday, I attended one of the Oklahoma City Public School District’s “Great Conversation” public meetings.Trent England | March 9, 2015
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Education
OKLAHOMA ESA PROPOSAL ENSURES COST SAVINGS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS
The design of the Education Savings Account (ESA) proposal in Oklahoma ensures that local school districts will have substantially more resources for the students they serve when some students access ESAs.Benjamin Scafidi | March 6, 2015