Articles
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Education, Law & Principles
One reform would dramatically boost Oklahoma voter participation. Lawmakers should finish the job
Oklahoma’s school-board elections are intentionally held on obscure winter and spring dates, producing abysmally low turnout and giving disproportionate influence to special interests.Jonathan Small | February 9, 2026
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Education
Incremental improvement isn’t enough: Oklahoma’s draft standards fall short
Oklahoma’s new 2026 Draft Academic Standards for Social Studies represent a modest improvement over the weak 2019 standards. Unfortunately, they still reflect the education establishment’s studied lack of interest in patriotism, the historic roots of the American republic, or any notable achievements by conservatives or Republicans.David Randall, Ph.D. | February 6, 2026
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Education
Oklahoma House committee advances bill blocking sexually explicit books in school libraries
House Bill 2978, which prohibits Oklahoma public school libraries from offering students books containing sexually explicit depictions of certain acts, advanced on a 10–1 bipartisan vote in the House Common Education Committee.Ray Carter | February 5, 2026
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Budget & Tax, Education
Munson’s claims of education cuts rebutted by revenue reports
House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson claims that recent school-funding increases are simply a recovery from “massive cuts” a decade ago—but state revenue records don’t support her story. It’s not the first time her claims have been contradicted by data.Ray Carter | February 5, 2026
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Budget & Tax, Education
Democrats criticize Stitt’s final address, challenge his tax and education priorities
Democratic lawmakers slammed Gov. Kevin Stitt’s final State of the State address, arguing that his $1.6 billion in tax cuts were ill-advised. One exception: Democratic state Sen. Mary Boren backed Stitt’s criticism of OSSAA over its treatment of open-transfer students.Ray Carter | February 3, 2026
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Education
Oklahoma Democrats say public school improvement could take years—but want to block students’ emergency exit
Democrats insist the Parental Choice Tax Credit isn’t helping working-class Oklahomans, but the parents quoted in this story—widowed mothers, single dads, military families, rural couples, and households making under $50,000—tell a very different story.Ray Carter | January 30, 2026
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Education, Economy
Report: Oklahoma ranks 16th in school choice, trails Arkansas and Texas
A new report ranks Oklahoma 16th nationally for its student-centered funding programs, highlighting the strong performance of the Oklahoma Parental Tax Credit program—but also warning that the state’s $250 million cap is holding back thousands of families who want access to private-school options.Ray Carter | January 28, 2026
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Budget & Tax, Education
Stitt launches school choice hub, opts Oklahoma into new federal tax credit
Gov. Kevin Stitt marked National School Choice Week by ordering the creation of an Oklahoma School Choice Hub—an online, parent-friendly resource launching within 90 days—and announcing that Oklahoma will join a new federal tax-credit program that funds private-school scholarships.Ray Carter | January 27, 2026
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Education
Oklahoma public school funding soars, but less money reaches classrooms
State Superintendent Lindel Fields told lawmakers this week that Oklahoma’s per-pupil funding is up about 50 percent over the past decade and that average teacher pay, adjusted for cost of living, is $69,046. He said more school days could help lift student performance.Ray Carter | January 27, 2026
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Education
Literacy improvement a major focus of Oklahoma leaders
Oklahoma lawmakers are making early literacy a top priority this session, filing a slate of bills aimed at reversing the state’s decline in reading outcomes. Led by House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, legislators want to revive and strengthen proven, science-based reading reforms.Ray Carter | January 16, 2026