Articles
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Education
Pastor touts anti-Christian-school report
A top official with the group “Pastors for Oklahoma Kids” is touting a report that opposes school-choice programs because participating private schools may adhere to historic Christian teachings about issues such as transgenderism and are free to hire only Christian staff.Ray Carter | January 27, 2021
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Budget & Tax, Education
School choice’s appeal grows along with low-income benefit
Critics suggested Gov. Kevin Stitt’s “Stay in School” program benefitted the well-to-do under the cover of aiding low-income families. But the program’s beneficiaries all earn less than a household headed by Oklahoma teachers earning average teacher pay—and often dramatically less.Ray Carter | January 21, 2021
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Budget & Tax, Education
School choice program proves dramatic success
The “Stay in School” program launched by Gov. Kevin Stitt has allowed over 1,000 low-income Oklahoma students to attend private schools at substantially lower cost than what would have been spent in traditional public schools, a new report shows.Ray Carter | January 20, 2021
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Education
Oklahoma school district says diploma is no indicator of learning
In a court filing, an Oklahoma school district has declared the issuance of either a passing grade or a high school diploma is not—“and never has been”—an indicator that a student mastered state-mandated core courses.Ray Carter | January 20, 2021
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Budget & Tax, Education
Experts warn school ‘equity’ mandate will fuel lawsuits
State Sen. Mary Boren has filed legislation to alter language in the Oklahoma Constitution that currently requires “a system of free public schools” so it instead requires maintenance of “an efficient and equitable system of free public schools."Ray Carter | January 19, 2021
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Education
State agency seeks COVID data on at-home learners
State data on COVID-19 infections among K-12 students will reportedly include cases that occurred among children who never attended school in-person and conducted their learning entirely online this year.Ray Carter | January 18, 2021
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Education
Despite pay raises, officials warn of teacher shortage
State officials continue to inform lawmakers that large tax increases and teacher pay raises enacted in 2018 appear to have had relatively little impact on teacher shortages.Ray Carter | January 15, 2021
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Education
CDC declares schools should be ‘the last settings to close’
Newly released data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that COVID-19 infections in areas with in-person instruction at K-12 schools are comparable to the rate in areas where students are limited to virtual options.Ray Carter | January 14, 2021
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Education, Health Care
Medicaid diverting money from education
A top state official told lawmakers one reason Oklahoma spends less on education today is because the state’s Medicaid program is consuming more and more taxpayer resources.Ray Carter | January 14, 2021
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Education
GOP lawmakers back Stitt on quarantines
Fifty House Republican lawmakers have announced their support for resumed in-person instruction in all Oklahoma schools and Gov. Kevin Stitt’s plan to ease quarantine restrictions at schools.Ray Carter | January 13, 2021