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!
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.
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. …