Articles
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Education
Oklahoma superintendents’ wages surge as less money reaches classroom
Revenue in Oklahoma’s public school system has surged to $13,736 per student. And 17 school districts pay their superintendents a quarter-million dollars or more.Ray Carter | April 8, 2025
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Education
Millions diverted from Oklahoma classrooms
Since 2018, per-student revenue in Oklahoma public schools has surged by 51 percent—yet academic outcomes have gone in the opposite direction. One possible explanation for that disturbing trend: Much of the money provided to schools is not reaching the classroom.Ray Carter | April 8, 2025
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Education
Limit on school virtual days moves ahead in Oklahoma House
Legislation to address the perceived widespread abuse of “virtual learning” has cleared its first hurdle in the Oklahoma House of Representatives.Ray Carter | April 7, 2025
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Education
Oklahoma House committee supports aid to special-needs children
Members of the House Common Education Committee have voted to simplify the process for Oklahoma children with special needs to access the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship program.Ray Carter | April 2, 2025
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Education
Poor reading outcomes impact Oklahoma taxpayers, economy
Oklahoma students lag behind students in nearly all of the 50 states when it comes to reading proficiency. These low reading outcomes translate into a significant, lifelong drain on taxpayer resources and the state economy.Ray Carter | April 1, 2025
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Education
Public schools serve rich and poor alike—and so does school choice
In one important aspect, the Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit program operates just like the public school system: The program is open to all.Jonathan Small | March 31, 2025
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Education
Oklahoma Senate approves limit on school virtual days
Oklahoma’s brick-and-mortar public schools would not be allowed to transition to virtual learning in most situations, other than true emergencies, under legislation approved by the Oklahoma Senate.Ray Carter | March 28, 2025
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Education
Oklahoma’s school spending spree may not make it to classroom
Oklahoma public schools receive an average of $13,736 per student, but state lawmakers have defeated legislation requiring that at least half of school funds be spent in the classroom.Ray Carter | March 27, 2025
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Education
Study: School choice doesn’t increase homeschool regulation
A study by researchers at Johns Hopkins University and the Texas Home School Coalition finds that the growth of school choice “does not appear to have negatively impacted homeschool regulation. In fact, homeschool regulation has decreased rather than increased over time.”Ray Carter | March 25, 2025
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Education
Seven ways to boost Oklahoma’s reading outcomes
Oklahoma’s reading outcomes are among the worst in the nation. It’s time for policymakers to act.Jonathan Small | March 19, 2025