No matter what you call it, merit pay could help Oklahoma schools but the HOW matters!
A Joint Interim Study on November 4 explored issues related to an incentive-pay plan proposed by Secretary of Education Dan Hamlin. Here’s what Oklahomans need to know about that.
Oklahoma could learn something from Texas about improving schools
Oklahoma can learn a lot from Texas about how to provide actionable data on school performance to the public and how to use it to improve schools.
Wednesday’s interim study will explore retention in “literacy-focused grade levels”
Today I’m sharing research and data about Oklahoma’s third-grade reading retention law for the info of those who will be watching House Interim Study 25-089 tomorrow, Oct. 22!
Celebrating Oklahoma turning “outrage into action” for K-12’s future
Organizers Erika Buzzard Wright and Sandra Valentine of the Oklahoma Rural Schools Coalition address the crowd at the “Big Send-Off Bash” on Sunday, Oct. 12, at the Oklahoma State Capitol.
Light enters first State Board meeting under Supt. Fields
When Oklahoma’s State Board of Education met for the first time under State Superintendent Lindel Fields, sunshine poured into the board room illuminating a symbol of the new administration: Let there be light!
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.
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.
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.
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.