Articles
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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
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Education
Mississippi’s results speak for themselves: Retention policies work
Oklahoma lawmakers are preparing to make early reading a centerpiece of the upcoming legislative session with the READS Act, which includes a revived third-grade retention policy. As the “Mississippi Miracle” demonstrates, retention polices work.Tyler Williamson | January 12, 2026
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Education
‘Life-changing’: Oklahoma working-class families shift to private schools
Oklahoma’s school-choice tax credit is transforming education for thousands of families, including those living paycheck-to-paycheck. Parents say the program has opened doors they never imagined.Ray Carter | January 12, 2026
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Budget & Tax, Education
Oklahoma school spending and staffing up, but ACT scores fall
Oklahoma’s public schools are spending more than ever and hiring faster than enrollment grows, yet ACT scores have dropped to a new low.Ray Carter | January 6, 2026
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Education, Law & Principles
New Oklahoma law closes loophole allowing abusive school employees to hop districts
A new Oklahoma law aims to end the practice known as “passing the trash,” in which school employees accused of abusing students resign and quietly move to another district without their misconduct being disclosed.Ray Carter | December 22, 2025
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Budget & Tax, Education
Lawmakers seek to address Oklahoma’s reading crisis
After a decade of steep declines in student reading performance, two Oklahoma lawmakers have introduced legislation aimed at restoring literacy as a core focus of K-12 education.Ray Carter | December 19, 2025
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Education
Momentum builds to revive Mississippi-style reading reform in Oklahoma
The State Chamber is urging lawmakers to revive the Mississippi-style early literacy law that once helped Oklahoma make major gains but was later gutted, triggering a steep decline in reading outcomes.Jonathan Small | December 1, 2025