Tulsa
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 schools turning to the new, old way of teaching students to read
In a classroom full of future teachers at Oklahoma State University, Robin Fuxa instructs her students to count sounds in words like “map” and “can,” by placing pennies on a corresponding chart. “Let’s look at ‘stop’,” Fuxa prompts. “Ss-tuh-ah-puh,” her students respond in unison. “Four,” they count and move four pennies into the sound boxes […]
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 doesn’t mandate sex ed, so some churches are trying to fill the gaps
Margo Starr grew up going to All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa. When she was in middle school, the church offered classes on Sunday afternoons, and one of them was a sex education course. Her friends signed up for it and, in classic middle school fashion, she joined in on what her friends were doing. […]
Tulsa Race Massacre survivors bring reparations case to state Capitol
OKLAHOMA CITY — A century after their homes were burned and scores of their neighbors were killed in the Tulsa Race Massacre, victims of the 1921 attack brought their case for reparations to the state Capitol for the first time on Thursday. Two of the three last known living survivors of the race massacre, Viola […]
The mystery of Walters: How a beloved history teacher became Oklahoma’s culture-warrior-in-chief
Ryan Walters was one of the most well-liked teachers at McAlester High School. A history teacher and 2016 finalist for Oklahoma teacher of the year, he encouraged vigorous debates on pivotal moments like Roe v. Wade and, closer to home, the forced relocation of Native Americans known as the “Trail of Tears.” During homecoming week, […]
Libs of TikTok scrutiny puts unwanted national spotlight on Oklahoma schools
OKLAHOMA CITY — Some Oklahomans are concerned a right-wing social media account run by an out-of-state conservative figure is politicizing Oklahoma schools, harming districts, educators and students in the process. As Libs of TikTok has taken a growing interest in Oklahoma schools, some parents are questioning Superintendent Ryan Walters’ decision to back the account that […]
Walters told Congress TPS had ‘active connection’ with China. His staff was told the opposite.
OKLAHOMA CITY — By the time State Superintendent Ryan Walters testified to Congress that Tulsa Public Schools “maintains an active connection” with the Chinese Communist Party, his staff already had been notified that the district’s relationship with a Chinese language program had been severed weeks earlier. Emails Tulsa Public Schools provided to Oklahoma Voice show […]
Ryan Walters’ lips say one thing, but his actions reflect the opposite
State Superintendent Ryan Walters’ has said that “I’m willing to do anything to turn these schools around. I’m willing to do whatever it takes for these kids.” But it is difficult to find any actions that support those words he spoke about improving the academic outcomes at Tulsa Public Schools. Rather than presenting positive plans, […]
Tulsa students can achieve reading success, but experienced teachers are critical, experts say
OKLAHOMA CITY – Tulsa Public Schools has only months to achieve considerable growth in student reading scores. Experts say student outcomes can be accelerated, but it will require having qualified, experienced teachers in Tulsa classrooms at a time when there’s a substantial shortage of those educators statewide. The Oklahoma State Board of Education agreed to […]