Articles
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Education
Oklahoma Department of Education must stop discriminating against Christians
Jonathan Small, president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, issued the following statement today regarding apparently illegal action taken by the Oklahoma State Department of Education to restrict student opportunity and bar Christian schools from participating in the Lindsey Nicole Henry (LNH) Scholarships for Students with Disabilities program.Staff | November 11, 2020
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Education, Culture & the Family
Some Oklahoma officials echo Biden on statewide mask mandate
Following the lead of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, some state officials are demanding that Oklahoma institute a statewide mask mandate—including for school children.Ray Carter | November 10, 2020