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Oklahoma

News, analysis, and opinion about K-12 education in Oklahoma
Photograph of a stack of newspapers. One reads "Three schools were closed and..."
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School & District Management Local Education News You May Have Missed in 2024 (and Why It Matters)
A recap of four important stories and what they may signal for your school or district.
Evie Blad, December 20, 2024
7 min read
A photograph of Nex Benedict, a nonbinary teenager who died a day after a fight in a high school bathroom, is projected during a candlelight service at Point A Gallery, on Feb. 24, 2024, in Oklahoma City. Federal officials will investigate the Oklahoma school district where Benedict died, according to a letter sent by the U.S. Department of Education on March 1, 2024.
A photograph of Nex Benedict, a nonbinary teenager who died a day after a fight in a high school restroom, is projected during a candlelight service at Point A Gallery, on Feb. 24, in Oklahoma City. Federal officials determined the district was "deliberately indifferent to students' civil rights" based on its responses to reports of sexual harassment.
Nate Billings/The Oklahoman via AP
Federal Nex Benedict's District Was 'Indifferent to Students' Civil Rights,' Feds Find
Federal officials found an Oklahoma district responded inconsistently to sexual-harassment claims.
Caitlynn Peetz, November 13, 2024
5 min read
Image of a young boy pulling the bible off of a bookshelf.
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Law & Courts This State Requires Schools to Teach the Bible. Parents and Teachers Are Suing
Opponents of an Oklahoma directive that compels schools to teach the Bible are suing the state’s superintendent of public instruction.
Brooke Schultz, October 18, 2024
4 min read
Ryan Walters, then-Republican candidate for Oklahoma State Superintendent, speaks at a rally, Nov. 1, 2022, in Oklahoma City.
Ryan Walters speaks at a rally on Nov. 1, 2022, in Oklahoma City as a candidate for state superintendent of public instruction. He won the race and has built a national profile for governing in the MAGA mold.
Sue Ogrocki/AP
Federal Q&A Oklahoma State Chief Ryan Walters: 'Trump's Won the Argument on Education'
The state schools chief's name comes up as Republicans discuss who could become education secretary in a second Trump administration.
Alyson Klein, October 18, 2024
8 min read
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School Choice & Charters States Are Spending Billions on Private School Choice. But Is It Truly Universal?
More than half a million students in eight states last school year took advantage of private school choice open to all students.
Mark Lieberman, October 8, 2024
7 min read
Ryan Walters speaks at a rally, Nov. 1, 2022, in Oklahoma City. Republican State Superintendent Walters ordered public schools Thursday, June 27, 2024, to incorporate the Bible into lessons for grades 5 through 12, the latest effort by conservatives to incorporate religion into classrooms.
Oklahoma state Superintendent Ryan Walters speaks at a rally on Nov. 1, 2022, in Oklahoma City. Walters is now facing scrutiny from GOP lawmakers, who seek an investigation into his stewardship of education funding and his agency's transparency.
Sue Ogrocki/AP
States Oklahoma GOP Lawmakers Demand Investigation of Education Chief
They have concerns about Ryan Walters' stewardship of federal and state funds and his transparency on meetings and open-records requests.
Brooke Schultz, August 15, 2024
4 min read
°ÄÃÅÅܹ·ÂÛ̳ opinion letters submissions
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Curriculum Letter to the Editor Christian Nationalism vs. Spirituality in America’s Schools
A retired teacher responds to the Oklahoma state schools superintendent's guidance on teaching the Bible in public schools in the state.
August 13, 2024
1 min read
Oversized Keys on a barren landscape with a single figure in contemplation, Concept idea art of choice, work, life, philosophy, lost, and problem solving. Surreal artwork.
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Social Studies Opinion Yes, Religion Should Be Taught in School—But It Needs to Be Done Right
For nearly two decades, I have witnessed firsthand the tremendous impact that a deep and diverse study of religion has had on my students.
Juan Resendez, August 8, 2024
4 min read
A hand holding a magnifying glass hovers over a Bible opened to the Ten Commandments.
Marinela Malcheva/iStock/Getty
Curriculum How Oklahoma's Superintendent Wants Schools to Teach the Bible
Oklahoma's state superintendent directed schools to teach the Bible and to place a copy in every classroom.
Evie Blad, July 24, 2024
4 min read
bible lying on a school desk with a lesson plan and calendar
tamaw/E+
Curriculum Should the Bible Be Taught in Public Schools?
Are recent pushes to include the Bible about cultural literacy—or a pretext for politicians who want Christianity in public schools?
Evie Blad, July 15, 2024
10 min read
Image of a bible sitting on top of a school backpack.
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States How States Are Testing the Church-State Divide in Public Schools
A new order to teach the Bible in Oklahoma is the latest action to fuel debate over the presence of religion in schools.
Evie Blad, June 28, 2024
7 min read
cellphone distraction policy bans in schools static
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Ed-Tech Policy Tracker Which States Ban or Restrict Cellphones in Schools?
See which states are requiring cellphone restrictions or bans in schools.
1 min read
The Oklahoma Supreme Court is pictured in the state Capitol building in Oklahoma City, May 19, 2014. The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled Tuesday, June 25, 2024, that the approval of the nation's first state-funded Catholic charter school, St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual Charter School, is unconstitutional.
The Oklahoma Supreme Court is pictured in the state Capitol building in Oklahoma City, May 19, 2014. The high court ruled Tuesday, June 25, 2024, that the approval of the nation's first state-funded Catholic charter school, St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual Charter School, is unconstitutional.
Sue Ogrocki/AP
Law & Courts Religious Charter School Is Unconstitutional, Oklahoma Supreme Court Rules
The state high court says the planned Catholic virtual charter school violates a state provision against aid to 'sectarian' institutions.
Mark Walsh, June 25, 2024
4 min read
A green apple with a cross shaped stem in between red apples.
Richard Mia for °ÄÃÅÅܹ·ÂÛ̳
School Choice & Charters Opinion What Would Religious Charter Schools Mean for Public Education?
Discriminating and proselytizing on the taxpayer dime will never be acceptable, writes Kevin G. Welner.
Kevin G. Welner, May 29, 2024
5 min read