Thank goodness for a lack of political aspirations and a transition team
Newly appointed State Superintendent Lindel Fields hugs his daughter, a student at Eisenhower International School in Tulsa, after his remarks at the governor’s news conference hosted by TPS on Oct. 2, 2025.
Making Oklahoma history is worth our time
On Sept. 3, Board Member Michael Tinney of Norman welcomed state officials, news media and other citizens to the first known Special Meeting of the State Board of Education not called by the chair. It was the shortest (and possibly the best) Board meeting I’ve ever attended. Here’s what happened!
Public comments on proposed ESSA-required tests waiver request
Public Comments to the State Department of Education on proposed changes to the Oklahoma School Testing Program are due September 8. But, since they cancelled the State Board of Education meeting today, I had time to finish mine!
Why would you make it harder to hire teachers in Oklahoma?
The number of emergency certified and adjunct teachers grows into the thousands now every year. So, why is our state superintendent making it harder to hire teachers?
Credit where credit is due: Okla. State Dept. of Education Legal Services
Giving credit where credit is due to the Oklahoma State Department of Education for prompt response to Open Records Request for school funding data.
Who is in charge of the Oklahoma School Testing Program?
Every day, some new, off-the-wall spin is rolled out to divert attention from the poor job performance of Oklahoma’s current State Superintendent of Public Instruction. … Thank God it’s Friday!
Public comments on proposed changes to Consolidated State Plan, 2025
Wendy submitted her public comments Aug. 7 for the Oklahoma State Board of Education’s consideration highlighting programs proposed for the 2025-26 school year that do not yet exist.
What does “50th in education” mean to Oklahoma?
What does it mean for Oklahoma to be ranked 50th in education, again? Some say this topic is a distraction but actually it is THE question that must be answered by state leaders.
Why can’t ALL Oklahoma schools provide free lunches for students in 2025-26?
Oklahoma's state superintendent says he will "mandate that every school district fully funds student meals using existing state and federal operational dollars." Sounds great! There's just one a problem: state law. Here are the relevant statutory references and what should happen next.
Oklahoma City’s Jamie Polk illustrates greatness and grace at InspireOK 2025
Oklahoma City’s Jamie Polk illustrates greatness and grace at InspireOK 2025
Oklahoma takes a step back for education’s future
The July 2024 change in cut scores for state tests of English and math involves complicated statistical analyses into which few would delve. For Oklahoma Secretary of Education Nellie Tayloe Sanders, however, it is personal.
What does lowering cut scores on state tests in 2024 mean in 2025?
For years, I had a bad habit of celebrating even small improvements in student proficiency on state tests because it requires a LOT of hard work by a dedicated team and CAN mean a school community takes seriously what is required.
Unfortunately, the data that triggers Oklahoma’s school-improvement process may no longer be valid or reliable. …
Master of the arts, Chandler business owner launches Project 45
One of Pratt Creative’s goals is to highlight the work of other Oklahomans who are true believers in our state and working to make it better. Our first one was Mark Danker of Project 45 in Chandler.
The good news in the bad news about Oklahoma’s low-performing schools
Good news from the State Department of Education that 13 Tulsa Public School sites have “exited” designation as Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) schools. Sadly, few people realize how difficult this is to achieve. Every school improving student success deserves accolades for the hard work and dedication because it does not happen otherwise. …
Notable K-12 progress in peer state reveals solutions for Oklahoma
Can you guess the only state that had more students proficient in 2024 than before the pandemic? No, it wasn't Massachusett.
Oklahoma’s performance on the National Assessment of Educational Progress is depicted and Louisiana’s success analyzed.