October Volume 15 Number 10
- Change We Can Believe In
- October 03, 2008
- By Patrick B. McGuigan
Recently, Oklahoma City University law professor Andrew Spiropoulos announced the launch of an OCPA-backed effort to study Oklahoma's ultra-populist constitution (see page 4). The intention is, "after long and careful study," to present possible reforms to state voters.
Read More >
- Does Education Spending Boost Economic Growth?
- October 03, 2008
- By J. Scott Moody and Wendy P. Warcholik
Policy discussions on education spending usually revolve around the assumption that more spending equals better educational outcomes and greater economic growth. Unfortunately, this is a very simplistic way to look at a complex public policy issue.
Read More >
- Reforming Oklahoma's Constitution
- October 03, 2008
- The reform we need, and why it matters
By Andrew Spiropoulos[This article is adapted from a talk given by Professor Spiropoulos at OCPA on August 28.]
Like most people, particularly those with children, I am constantly surprised by how quickly time passes. For example, I find it hard to believe that this is my 18th year teaching law in Oklahoma and that for most of these nearly two decades, I have been working with OCPA in an effort to change the direction of government in our state.
Read More >
- Special-Needs Students Deserve School Choice
- October 03, 2008
- By Jason Murphey
Let's suppose you are one of the growing number of parents whose child has been affected by autism. Each of your waking moments is dedicated to coping with this tremendous challenge. Read More >
- Educating Students for Freedom
- October 03, 2008
- By J. Rufus Fears
There has been a great deal of concern about what is called "civic illiteracy," the fact that not only students but even adults don't know the most basic principles of our government. Various groups, such as the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, have conducted surveys which indicate that, even in some of the best colleges and universities, students know less about the Constitution and about American history when they graduate than when they entered. Even those who score best seldom make above a 50 on a multiple-choice test.
Read More >
- Guilty Until Proven Innocent
- October 03, 2008
- By Joseph Henchman
Advertisements often have puffery, containing statements like "longest lasting" or "best tasting" or the like. Indeed, many advertisements feature the improbable, from cars racing (safely) through obstacles or scantily clad women suddenly dancing when a soda bottle is opened. Most of us take these claims with a healthy amount of skepticism. Officials at the Oklahoma Tax Commission evidently lack this ability.
Read More >
- A Chance to Choose
- October 03, 2008
- By Patrick B. McGuigan
In the life of a reporter, you hear lots of stories. Many, even some good ones, never work their way into print. This one did. Among other things, it is a story about choices.
Read More >
- Fifteen Enthusiastic Years ...
- October 03, 2008
By Brett A. Magbee
I remember the first OCPA board of trustees meeting-in Oklahoma City in 1993-almost as vividly as the most recent board meeting in Tulsa just a few weeks ago. Read More >
- Quote/Unquote
- October 03, 2008
- "The
number one reason teachers leave the classroom is not salary-related.
It is a lack of support from the people within the school, Gillispie
said."
State capitol reporter Erin Boeckman, in a September 16 news story quoting Ted Gillispie, executive director of the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation Read More >
Pages: 1
Make a Donation
Want to invest in the work of OCPA, the state's premier public policy think tank? Make a donation today!
Perspective
Check out OCPA's monthly journal, Perspective, which contains articles, information and analysis on timely policy issues. View current or View Archived.
Spend-O-Meter
How Fast Does State Government Spend Your Money? See Details