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Oklahoma fundraising campaign hopes to wipe out over $76,000 in school lunch debt
OKLAHOMA CITY — A fundraiser aims to relieve more than $76,000 in lunch debt for Oklahoma students, as struggles with outstanding meal fees continue in schools. That total would cover overdue cafeteria bills from seven school districts across the state. The largest of them, Stillwater Public Schools, reported $37,003 in student lunch debt from the […]
Public Montessori school approved to open in OKC, three other charters rejected
OKLAHOMA CITY — A public Montessori elementary school has been approved to open in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma Montessori Initiative would be the only public school in the city using the renowned Montessori method of student-driven, hands-on learning. It was the only charter school to gain approval out of four that have applied recently with Oklahoma […]
Tulsa interim superintendent says district turnaround is a ‘beautiful challenge’
OKLAHOMA CITY — To Ebony Johnson, F stands for focused. It designates a school that needs time, money and talent from Tulsa Public Schools’ leaders. Recent state report cards show 22 Tulsa schools need that level of focus from the district after being graded an F for their performance last school year. Johnson has handled […]
Muscogee (Creek) Nation sues Tulsa over traffic ticket enforcement
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Muscogee (Creek) Nation has accused Tulsa of unlawfully prosecuting Native Americans for traffic offenses within its tribal boundaries, despite multiple court rulings that strip the city of this authority. In a lawsuit filed Wednesday, the tribal nation asked the Tulsa federal court to forbid the city to pursue any criminal court […]
Oklahoma public schools show continued academic struggle in state report cards
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma’s public school system showed consistent levels of academic results but weakening growth in the 2022-23 school year compared to the year before. The Oklahoma State Report Card, released Wednesday, grades the success of every school in the state, as well as the overall performance of the public education system. Only 27% […]
Oklahoma charter schools rank in national top 10 for academic performance
OKLAHOMA CITY — A decade of testing data ranks Oklahoma near the top in the country for charter school performance. Oklahoma ranked No. 6 among 36 states for the academic success of its charter schools, according to test score data from 2009 to 2019, which Harvard University compiled in a report and released on Tuesday. […]
Proposed charter schools hope to add educational options in historically Black OKC community
OKLAHOMA CITY — With efforts underway to boost businesses and housing in Oklahoma’s City’s northeast side, LaTasha Timberlake saw a need to strengthen another core piece of the historically Black area — its schools. That’s why the longtime educator and nonprofit director is part of a group trying to found a charter middle school in […]
Tribes, Oklahoma law enforcement clash over tribal license plate citation
OKLAHOMA CITY — Multiple Native American tribes said they were caught off guard Thursday by an alleged change in how the state enforces tribal license plate protocols. Otoe-Missouria Tribe officials accused the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety of unexpectedly altering its position on tribal vehicle registration after one of its members received a $249 ticket. […]
Oklahoma commissioner on mental health, substance abuse services to depart
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma’s top mental health official announced Tuesday that she plans to step down. Commissioner Carrie Slatton-Hodges said she will leave the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services for a national position. Her final day on the job will be Dec. 31. Slatton-Hodges, a longtime licensed professional counselor, has led […]
Ryan Walters’ administration tasked with offering Civil Rights Movement curriculum
OKLAHOMA CITY — A new law that took effect last week mandates that state education officials develop a curriculum on the Civil Rights Movement, a requirement that has raised doubts among Black leaders in Oklahoma. House Bill 1397 instructs the Oklahoma State Department of Education to develop and make available an optional curriculum on Martin […]
Four new charter schools applying to open in OKC
OKLAHOMA CITY — Four potential charter schools have applied to open in Oklahoma City, with three seeking to expand educational options in majority-Black neighborhoods. It marks the first time in four years that Oklahoma City Public Schools has received any charter applications. The district’s school board reviewed the applications for the first time on Monday. […]
Stitt Cabinet official’s concerns over Oklahoma education agency finances prompted resignation
OKLAHOMA CITY — The governor’s former education secretary said she resigned from her position after three months because the state superintendent’s administration limited her oversight of his agency. Katherine Curry said she repeatedly asked for financial documents showing how the agency budgeted and spent money, but the Oklahoma State Department of Education never provided them. […]