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!
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.
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. …