Articles
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Education
Walters defends teacher incentive-pay plan
During a legislative budget hearing, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters told lawmakers his proposed incentive-pay plan, which would provide up to $10,000 in increased pay to the best teachers, will be particularly beneficial in retaining promising young teachers who would enjoy a much more rapid path to higher pay than under the current system.Ray Carter | February 1, 2023
-
Education
Rural Oklahomans not alone in supporting school choice
Polling and election results have shown Oklahomans support school choice, including strong support among those living in rural areas, despite critics’ claims that school choice won’t work in rural communities.Ray Carter | January 31, 2023
-
Budget & Tax, Education
Critics claim $330 million increase ‘cuts’ school spending
Legislators say these attacks, untethered from reality, do nothing to foster serious debate on Oklahoma’s education challenges.Ray Carter | January 27, 2023