Common Core repeal could put Oklahoma schools under more federal control

With the legislative session now adjourned, attention shifts to Governor Mary Fallin, who has 15 days from the day bills reach her desk to sign or veto legislation (she can also exercise a pocket veto by taking no action on… Read more [More...]

New school meals program can help kids in poverty

Oklahoma is a hungry state. A 2011 study ranked Oklahoma 15th nationwide for food insecurity; one in six Oklahomans lacks consistent access to adequate food. And food insecurity is higher for children than adults: one in four children was food-insecure… Read more [More...]

Governor should sign bill easing third-grade retention mandate

On May 9th, the State Department of Education announced that 7,970 third graders, or 16.4 percent of Oklahoma’s third grade population, scored unsatisfactory on the state’s standardized 3rd grade reading test, the OCCT. These children and their families will be… Read more [More...]

A better way to understand and improve school performance (Guest Post: Ryan Miskell)

Ryan Miskell is an OK Policy Research Fellow and a research associate with the Oklahoma Center for Education Policy. He is working on his Ph.D. in Education Leadership and Policy Studies from The University of Oklahoma. Oklahoma, like most states,… Read more [More...]

Infographic illustrates why Oklahoma should end drilling tax break

A new infographic from Together Oklahoma, a coalition which includes Oklahoma Policy Institute, shows why Oklahoma needs to reign in a tax break for horizontal drilling. [More...]

Mandatory retention law down to 11th hour

Earlier this month, some 50,000 Oklahoma third-graders came head-to-head with high-stakes testing. These 8- and 9-year old children took the state standardized reading test known as the OCCT.  Under revisions to the Reading Sufficiency Act passed in 2011, beginning this… Read more [More...]

What the horizontal drilling tax break is costing your kids’ school

For Oklahoma’s elected officials looking to increase funding for education, the sensible solution can be found right under our feet. By doing away with what has become an increasingly unnecessary and unaffordable tax break, every school district and every school… Read more [More...]

Fact Sheet: Investing In Education Is Key For Growth And Job Creation

Download this fact sheet as a PDF. “Years ago, I often heard companies say the cost of doing business was their No. 1 concern. During my time in the Tulsa Regional Chamber and now as secretary of state, I am… Read more [More...]

Education rallies, then and now (Guest Post: Steve Lewis)

Steve Lewis served as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1989-1991 during the time of HB 1017. He currently practices law in Tulsa. I don’t know how much was accomplished by the education rally at the Capitol last week,… Read more [More...]

Education follows the ROADS to guaranteed funding growth

A decade ago, following the overwhelming defeat of a referendum to boost state taxes on motor fuels, supporters of increased transportation funding hit on a new approach.  In 2005, the legislature approved HB 1078,  creating the Rebuilding Oklahoma Access and… Read more [More...]