schools
Launch of Oklahoma private school tax credit program delayed
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Tax Commission unexpectedly postponed the opening of the application window for $5,000-$7,500 private school tax credits. The Tax Commission announced the delay Thursday night, mere hours before families were meant to begin applying for the refundable tax credit program Friday morning. Instead, applicants can submit their forms starting at 2 […]
Tulsa district weighing school closures at urging of Oklahoma education officials
OKLAHOMA CITY — Tulsa Public Schools now faces the possibility of closing schools as the state adds new demands for academic improvement. The Oklahoma State Board of Education created another set of goals for Tulsa to achieve by the end of the school year, and state Superintendent Ryan Walters said “all options are on the […]
Oklahoma’s private school tax credits to launch Friday with influx of applicants expected
Editor’s note: The Oklahoma Tax Commission announced Thursday night the start of the private school tax credit application window is postponed until 2 p.m. Wednesday. Read more here. OKLAHOMA CITY — About 130 private schools across Oklahoma have registered for a new tax credit program launching this week that offers $5,000-$7,500 to students’ families. The […]
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 […]
Oklahoma board wants proposed textbooks altered after Moms for Liberty complained
OKLAHOMA CITY — A state board requested a major publisher remove portions of its math textbooks for students in pre-K through fifth grade after a local conservative group complained. Despite the textbooks receiving the top rating from a review team made up of dozens of teachers, the chairwoman of the Oklahoma State Textbook Committee on […]
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 […]
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% […]
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 […]
Gov. Kevin Stitt fills two vacancies on Oklahoma State Board of Education
OKLAHOMA CITY — Gov. Kevin Stitt on Friday appointed two men to fill the remaining vacancies on the state’s top school board. Stitt announced he’s appointing local school board member Zach Archer and Alex Gray, a former Trump administration official, to the seven-member Oklahoma State Board of Education. Both appointees will ultimately need to be […]
Absenteeism a chronic issue in Oklahoma and U.S. schools
OKLAHOMA CITY — Math was a struggle for Jami Cole throughout her years of schooling, and she can pinpoint exactly where it began. While her first-grade classmates learned foundational math skills, Cole was sick in the hospital for months of the school year. The same thing happened again in third grade. While her teacher covered […]