Articles
-
Education, Culture & the Family
Teachers union to lawmakers: Ignore voters on school choice
A recent poll showed Oklahoma voters support school-choice policies that allow parents to use tax funding to place their children in private schools. In response, the head of the state’s largest teacher union is urging Oklahoma’s Republican lawmakers to look the other way.Ray Carter | December 2, 2020
-
Education
Stillwater per-student revenue growing
Enrollment in Stillwater Public Schools has grown by more than 12 percent over the last decade. During those same 10 years, total revenue has grown by 21 percent.Curtis Shelton | December 2, 2020
-
Education
Poll shows strong support for school choice in Oklahoma
A new poll shows strong support for school choice policies in Oklahoma, including those that allow parents to use taxpayer dollars for private-school tuition. Those poll results continue a pattern that has been consistent in Oklahoma for the better part of a decade now.Ray Carter | December 1, 2020
-
Education, Good Government
Parent warns against ending state tests in schools
Some officials have called for elimination of state testing in Oklahoma schools for the second year in a row. But one mother of three children is among those opposed. “I don’t understand how we can afford to lose another year of data."Ray Carter | November 24, 2020
-
Education, Culture & the Family
Parent group launches, seeks accountability from schools
Gathered at the Oklahoma Capitol on a brisk Monday, parents announced the formation of a group that will seek to empower families to have greater control in their children’s education—including the ability to hold recall elections for school board members that ignore parents’ wishes.Ray Carter | November 23, 2020
-
Budget & Tax, Education
Muskogee per-pupil revenue growing
Enrollment in Muskogee Public Schools has declined by nearly 900 students, a 13 percent decrease, over the last decade. Over that same time, total revenues have fallen by 5 percent.Curtis Shelton | November 19, 2020
-
Education
Agency hides memo warning of illegal activity
The Oklahoma State Department of Education has stripped its website of a memo issued by the state attorney general, which warns that the agency has acted illegally in its administration of a state program for children with special needs.Ray Carter | November 17, 2020
-
Education
State board of education on shaky legal ground
In September of this year, the Oklahoma State Board of Education denied the applications of two Christian schools to the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship program.Ryan Haynie | November 17, 2020
-
Education, Good Government
Epic Charter given time to address alleged deficiencies
In an all-day meeting that ran into the evening hours, the State Board of Education opted not to downgrade Epic Charter School’s accreditation status in response to alleged deficiencies. Board officials noted other schools have been given time to address concerns before facing potential probation and said Epic should not be treated any differently.Ray Carter | November 13, 2020
-
Education
Christian school remains barred from state program
The State Board of Education has shelved the request of a Christian school to participate in a program for children with special needs and instead requested an official opinion from the state attorney general.Ray Carter | November 12, 2020