Articles
-
Education
Oklahoma lawmakers try to crack down on sexting teachers
Trying to deter more cases of sexual abuse of students in Oklahoma schools, state lawmakers have advanced legislation that would impose new regulations on teacher communications with children.Ray Carter | May 2, 2024
-
Budget & Tax, Education
Countdown to the budget deal: A look at education spending
As Oklahoma budget talks continue, we take a look at state agency growth over the years. Today’s spotlight is on the state Department of Education.Curtis Shelton | May 1, 2024
-
Education
Caving to teacher unions, Oklahoma House kills teacher-empowerment bill
An effort to give teachers greater control over their interactions with unions—and reduce interruption of school days for non-school activities—has failed in the Oklahoma House of Representatives after lawmakers caved to union pressure.Ray Carter | April 29, 2024
-
Education
Oklahoma House votes to mandate phonics, ban ‘three-cueing’
Under legislation advancing from the Oklahoma House of Representatives, teachers could no longer use the discredited “three-cueing” method to teach reading, and more teachers would instead be trained in the “science of reading,” including phonics instruction.Ray Carter | April 25, 2024
-
Education
Lawmakers object to aiding homeless and special-needs children
Several Oklahoma lawmakers oppose allowing homeless youth to access a scholarship program.Ray Carter | April 25, 2024
-
Education
One-year delay for Oklahoma school-choice program harms children
One provision of the Henry scholarship program has caused anguish for some Oklahoma students and families. Legislation awaiting a vote in the Oklahoma House of Representatives would fix it.Ray Carter | April 17, 2024
-
Education
Democrat lawmaker worries about ‘millionaire grandparents’
Legislation by Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat and House Speaker Charles McCall would make minor fixes to Oklahoma’s universal school choice program. But opponents now claim that wealthy grandparents may game the system.Ray Carter | April 11, 2024
-
Education
Amid abuse concerns, limits on virtual school days advance
Citing concerns that virtual school days are being abused and are contributing to student learning loss, members of the House Common Education Committee have advanced legislation restricting the number of virtual days allowed.Ray Carter | April 9, 2024
-
Education, Culture & the Family
Bible class ‘released time’ a good idea for Oklahoma
Let’s allow Oklahoma students to be excused from school to attend a course in religious instruction.Tom Newell | April 9, 2024
-
Education
Trust the science (of reading)
Senate Bill 1906, by state Sen. Adam Pugh and state Rep. Rhonda Baker, creates a revolving fund to train future Oklahoma teachers in the science of reading.Jonathan Small | April 8, 2024