Articles
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Education
Top 10 states in education deliver bang for the buck
In their new ranking of the quality of states’ education systems, scholars at the University of Texas at Dallas focus on what really matters: student learning.Brandon Dutcher | July 12, 2019
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Education
A next-generation school agenda for Oklahoma
Oklahoma has the opportunity to lead the nation into a new generation of education reform. Policy research and recent experience suggest a reform agenda focused on three goals, none of which requires significant increases in the education system’s spending levels.Greg Forster, Ph.D. | July 10, 2019
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Education
Two new schools in Norman area signal desire for education choices
Two new schools opening in the Norman area this fall provide the latest examples of Oklahoma parents wanting more educational options for their children.Ray Carter | July 9, 2019
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Education
Illegal votes and coercion claims mar school board election
A school board race in Wilburton that required a do-over because of ineligible voting has now been rocked by allegations of attempted vote-buying.Ray Carter | July 2, 2019
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Education
OEA membership down 16 percent over five years
The number of active NEA/OEA members in Oklahoma declined 1.7 percent to 16,384 in the 2017-2018 school year. Over a five-year period, the union’s Oklahoma membership has declined more than 16 percent.Ray Carter | July 1, 2019
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Education
Abused child finds new life thanks to adoption, faith, and school choice
As a child, Gina Jackson endured years of horrific abuse from her biological father and even officials working in the state’s child-protection system. Today, thanks to a loving adoptive mother and her religious faith, she’s found spiritual healing. And thanks to Oklahoma’s tax-credit scholarship program, she’s made academic strides that now allow her to pursue a college degree.Ray Carter | June 10, 2019
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Education
As public charter schools come under attack, parents, school officials tout success
In Oklahoma and at the national level, public charter schools have come under attack from critics who claim the schools are bad for racial minorities and operate on an ethos of heartless profiteering. Oklahoma parents and charter school officials say their experiences prove otherwise.Ray Carter | June 6, 2019
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Budget & Tax, Education
Democrats attack bills, then vote for them
House Democrats decried portions of this year’s budget plan on Thursday, but then voted for bills they said either provided insufficient funding or misspent money.Ray Carter | May 23, 2019
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Budget & Tax, Education
Lawmakers vote to junk April 1 school-funding deadline
A seldom-obeyed law mandating passage of a public school budget by April 1 may soon be a thing of the past. House Bill 2769, which repeals the funding deadline, has passed both chambers of the Legislature and is headed for the governor’s desk.Ray Carter | May 22, 2019
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Budget & Tax, Education
Democrats call for dramatic education spending increase
This year’s state appropriation for K-12 schools was above $3 billion for the first time ever. It’s now estimated K-12 schools will have received a $638 million increase in appropriations in just two years, including money for an average combined two-year pay raise of $7,320 for teachers.Ray Carter | May 22, 2019