Oklahoma
U.S.
Rank
Score:
78%
Grade:
C
Rank:
#15
It took a while for charters to gain national recognition but the innovative movement in the Sooner state, starting with its first, a Core Knowledge School, have been attracting more national providers and supporters. Still the law could use a dramatic facelift to ensure that more students, particularly from rural and underserved communities, all have access to great opportunities.
Law passed: 1999
Most recently amended: 2019
Number of charter schools: 24
Number of charter students: 59,755
Cap on the number of schools allowed:? Yes (see analysis).
Virtual charters allowed? Yes
AUTHORIZERS: Local school districts, technology center schools districts, universities, community colleges, Native American tribes; The state board of education on appeal, only following a local district’s denial of an application or for charter schools in low-performing group homes that serve youth under supervision by the state; regional universities with a teacher education program for schools in districts identified as in need of improvement, and the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board for statewide virtual charter schools only. If an application is denied, they must reapply to the same authorizer. If denied again, they can then appeal to state board or choose mediation or arbitration unless applying to a district. In that case, applicants can appeal to the state board but no arbitration/mediation.
GROWTH: The law places artificial limits on growth in less populated communities. A cap is in place that limits the number of charters allowed to be authorized to 5 schools in counties with fewer than 500,000 people, and no more than one new charter school per district per year. In counties with a population of less than 500,000, the state board of education may sponsor up to 5 charter schools per year and no more than one charter school in a single district per year. *In 2 years the number of students in charters has grown while the number of schools themselves have declined. Virtuals have had huge growth, especially since Covid.
OPERATIONS: Charters get a blanket waiver from many state regulations that affect district schools, but are heavily dependent on school districts for funding and support.
EQUITY: Oklahoma law does not provide equitable funding for charters. It stipulates that charter schools receive state funding but not local, and that the state board of education determines the policy and procedure for making the state payments to the school. Federal dollars go directly to the schools. Per-pupil transportation funding is available, but not required.
Score:
Grade:
D
Rank:
#11
An infusion of new funding for the state’s tax-credit scholarship program was a positive development in 2021, but there’s still miles to go before diverse options are afforded to all who need them. Currently the Sooner state’s two choice programs together serve only about 3,557 students in the state.
Law enacted: 2010-2011
Number of programs: 2
Statewide Participation: 3,557
Types of programs: Voucher, Tax Credit Scholarship
Tax-Credit Scholarship
Equal Opportunity Education Scholarships
In May 2021, the state enacted SB1080, which expanded the budget cap for the tax-credit scholarship program from $3.5 million to $25 million. The program launched in 2013 to provide school scholarships to students who meet the income and zoning requirements and allows Corporations and individual donors that donate to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGO) to receive 50% tax credit for one year or 75% tax credit for two consecutive years. In 2019, there were 2,555 participating students. For the 2020-21 school year, eligible students were able to receive up to $6,900 annually, equal to 80% of per-pupil state funding. Students are eligible for scholarships if their family income is lower than 300% of the free and reduced price lunch program, or live in a public school zone with low-performing schools. There is no enrollment cap.
Voucher
Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities
Oklahoma’s Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities was started in 2010 and provides students in foster care or students with disabilities vouchers to attend a private school to best meet their needs. In order to participate, students must have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Individualized Service Plan. This program has no income limit or enrollment caps in place.
Score:
Grade:
C
Rank:
#29
Has strong middle and secondary teacher preparation programs that require candidates to pass content knowledge tests; teacher effectiveness is not a factor in licensure advancement.
TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT: 71%
General Teacher Preparation 72%
Elementary Teacher Preparation 75%
Secondary Teacher Preparation 78%
Special Education Teacher Preparation 55%
Alternate Routes 75%
STAFFING AND SUPPORT: 75%
Hiring 80%
Retaining Effective Teachers 69%
TEACHER EVALUATION: 69%
TEACHER COMPENSATION: 72%
Score:
78%
Grade:
C
Rank:
#15
It took a while for charters to gain national recognition but the innovative movement in the Sooner state, starting with its first, a Core Knowledge School, have been attracting more national providers and supporters. Still the law could use a dramatic facelift to ensure that more students, particularly from rural and underserved communities, all have access to great opportunities.
Law passed: 1999
Most recently amended: 2019
Number of charter schools: 24
Number of charter students: 59,755
Cap on the number of schools allowed:? Yes (see analysis).
Virtual charters allowed? Yes
AUTHORIZERS: Local school districts, technology center schools districts, universities, community colleges, Native American tribes; The state board of education on appeal, only following a local district’s denial of an application or for charter schools in low-performing group homes that serve youth under supervision by the state; regional universities with a teacher education program for schools in districts identified as in need of improvement, and the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board for statewide virtual charter schools only. If an application is denied, they must reapply to the same authorizer. If denied again, they can then appeal to state board or choose mediation or arbitration unless applying to a district. In that case, applicants can appeal to the state board but no arbitration/mediation.
GROWTH: The law places artificial limits on growth in less populated communities. A cap is in place that limits the number of charters allowed to be authorized to 5 schools in counties with fewer than 500,000 people, and no more than one new charter school per district per year. In counties with a population of less than 500,000, the state board of education may sponsor up to 5 charter schools per year and no more than one charter school in a single district per year. *In 2 years the number of students in charters has grown while the number of schools themselves have declined. Virtuals have had huge growth, especially since Covid.
OPERATIONS: Charters get a blanket waiver from many state regulations that affect district schools, but are heavily dependent on school districts for funding and support.
EQUITY: Oklahoma law does not provide equitable funding for charters. It stipulates that charter schools receive state funding but not local, and that the state board of education determines the policy and procedure for making the state payments to the school. Federal dollars go directly to the schools. Per-pupil transportation funding is available, but not required.
Score:
Grade:
D
Rank:
#11
An infusion of new funding for the state’s tax-credit scholarship program was a positive development in 2021, but there’s still miles to go before diverse options are afforded to all who need them. Currently the Sooner state’s two choice programs together serve only about 3,557 students in the state.
Law enacted: 2010-2011
Number of programs: 2
Statewide Participation: 3,557
Types of programs: Voucher, Tax Credit Scholarship
Tax-Credit Scholarship
Equal Opportunity Education Scholarships
In May 2021, the state enacted SB1080, which expanded the budget cap for the tax-credit scholarship program from $3.5 million to $25 million. The program launched in 2013 to provide school scholarships to students who meet the income and zoning requirements and allows Corporations and individual donors that donate to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGO) to receive 50% tax credit for one year or 75% tax credit for two consecutive years. In 2019, there were 2,555 participating students. For the 2020-21 school year, eligible students were able to receive up to $6,900 annually, equal to 80% of per-pupil state funding. Students are eligible for scholarships if their family income is lower than 300% of the free and reduced price lunch program, or live in a public school zone with low-performing schools. There is no enrollment cap.
Voucher
Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities
Oklahoma’s Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities was started in 2010 and provides students in foster care or students with disabilities vouchers to attend a private school to best meet their needs. In order to participate, students must have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Individualized Service Plan. This program has no income limit or enrollment caps in place.
Score:
Grade:
C
Rank:
#29
Has strong middle and secondary teacher preparation programs that require candidates to pass content knowledge tests; teacher effectiveness is not a factor in licensure advancement.
TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT: 71%
General Teacher Preparation 72%
Elementary Teacher Preparation 75%
Secondary Teacher Preparation 78%
Special Education Teacher Preparation 55%
Alternate Routes 75%
STAFFING AND SUPPORT: 75%
Hiring 80%
Retaining Effective Teachers 69%
TEACHER EVALUATION: 69%
TEACHER COMPENSATION: 72%
Score:
Grade:
C
Rank:
#32
Oklahoma has provided distance learning support to districts and technology guidelines and has educational technology standards for students, teachers, and administrators. The state no longer requires districts to have their own technology plan in place, but highly encourages it. Recent legislation requires teachers to take professional development on Digital Teaching and Learning in the 2020-2021 school year. Oklahoma also has grant opportunities and free digital content accessible on their website, including instructional resources, Digital Citizenship tools, and Open Educational Resources (OER). More information here.
The Oklahoma Technology Association works toward transforming teaching and learning in Oklahoma by providing support to districts and schools that are making the transition to digital learning.
The Oklahoma Connect and Learn Initiative was launched in 2016, with the goal of ensuring that every school district in the state is equipped with fiber infrastructure, Wi-Fi, and increased broadband adorability. This initiative greatly benefits low-income and rural school districts.
To prepare students with the competencies needed for entering the high-tech killed workforce, Oklahoma created a network of technology center school districts. High school students are able to attend tuition free, and earn credits from local universities. There are currently 29 technology center districts in the state, with 58 campuses. In 2019, over 20,000 high school students enrolled in technology centers.
On a district level, Norman Public School District is a shining example of closing the digital divide for the rest of the state with their iTech initiative. Every K-12 student in the district has their own device at school, and middle and high school students receive a MacBook Air to take home for homework.
Bandwidth: “96.3% of students in Oklahoma can access the Internet at speeds of 100 kbps per student, and many students are connected at higher speeds. But there is still work to be done. 24,394 students still need more bandwidth for digital learning.”
Oklahoma’s School District Empowerment Program gives power to locally elected school board members to govern districts and make changes based on the needs of their diverse students, allowing for personalized and individualized models instruction.
In the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, Oklahoma worked quickly and efficiently to provide students, parents, teachers, and administrators with the resources they needed to be successful through remote learning. The state took steps to determine the technology needs of students, worked with teachers and administrators to assess their planning needs, and attended to needs of special needs and ESL students. A website with information and resources was produced with FAQs and a partnership with the PBS affiliate provided other avenues for learning.
The reopening guidelines are thorough and provide districts much-needed leeway in making the best decisions for their students, with resources for in-person, virtual, and blended learning.
Fast Facts
4th Grade Math Proficiency:
8th Grade Math Proficiency:
12th Grade Math Proficiency:
4th Grade Reading Proficiency:
8th Grade Reading Proficiency:
12th Grade Reading Proficiency:
Graduation Rate:
Average SAT Score:
Average ACT Score:
Public School Enrollment:
Percent Enrolled in Charter Schools:
Average Student Funding:
Score:
Grade:
C
Rank:
#32
Oklahoma has provided distance learning support to districts and technology guidelines and has educational technology standards for students, teachers, and administrators. The state no longer requires districts to have their own technology plan in place, but highly encourages it. Recent legislation requires teachers to take professional development on Digital Teaching and Learning in the 2020-2021 school year. Oklahoma also has grant opportunities and free digital content accessible on their website, including instructional resources, Digital Citizenship tools, and Open Educational Resources (OER). More information here.
The Oklahoma Technology Association works toward transforming teaching and learning in Oklahoma by providing support to districts and schools that are making the transition to digital learning.
The Oklahoma Connect and Learn Initiative was launched in 2016, with the goal of ensuring that every school district in the state is equipped with fiber infrastructure, Wi-Fi, and increased broadband adorability. This initiative greatly benefits low-income and rural school districts.
To prepare students with the competencies needed for entering the high-tech killed workforce, Oklahoma created a network of technology center school districts. High school students are able to attend tuition free, and earn credits from local universities. There are currently 29 technology center districts in the state, with 58 campuses. In 2019, over 20,000 high school students enrolled in technology centers.
On a district level, Norman Public School District is a shining example of closing the digital divide for the rest of the state with their iTech initiative. Every K-12 student in the district has their own device at school, and middle and high school students receive a MacBook Air to take home for homework.
Bandwidth: “96.3% of students in Oklahoma can access the Internet at speeds of 100 kbps per student, and many students are connected at higher speeds. But there is still work to be done. 24,394 students still need more bandwidth for digital learning.”
Oklahoma’s School District Empowerment Program gives power to locally elected school board members to govern districts and make changes based on the needs of their diverse students, allowing for personalized and individualized models instruction.
In the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, Oklahoma worked quickly and efficiently to provide students, parents, teachers, and administrators with the resources they needed to be successful through remote learning. The state took steps to determine the technology needs of students, worked with teachers and administrators to assess their planning needs, and attended to needs of special needs and ESL students. A website with information and resources was produced with FAQs and a partnership with the PBS affiliate provided other avenues for learning.
The reopening guidelines are thorough and provide districts much-needed leeway in making the best decisions for their students, with resources for in-person, virtual, and blended learning.
4th Grade Math Proficiency:
8th Grade Math Proficiency:
12th Grade Math Proficiency:
4th Grade Reading Proficiency:
8th Grade Reading Proficiency:
12th Grade Reading Proficiency:
Graduation Rate:
Average SAT Score:
Average ACT Score:
Public School Enrollment:
Percent Enrolled in Charter Schools:
Average Student Funding:
Kevin Stitt (R)
First term began in 2019 (two-term limit)
As promised in 2020, Governor Kevin Stitt achieved his goal of expanding the state’s tax credit scholarship program in May of 2021, arguing that it’s good for parents and students: “Over the past year, it’s become even more clear that education is not one-size-fits-all.. This program helps create more opportunities for kids to attend the school that best fits their needs.” Many impediments to a diverse array of education options still need an Oklahoma size effort.
Many efforts to increase education opportunity were waged but modestly failed to do the job other than the slight change for choice programs. Additionally, the charter law needs a facelift. Let’s see pro-education innovation legislation “Sooner” rather than later!
Oklahoma has a Blaine Amendment. “In 2016, in Oliver v. Hofmeister, the Oklahoma Supreme Court upheld a scholarship voucher program against a Blaine Amendment challenge because the program was neutral with respect to religion. In the opinion, the Court distinguished between helping students (permissible) and helping the religious schools they choose to attend (impermissible) and held that the voucher program fell into the first category… Because the parent—not the government—decides where the child goes to school and receives the aid in consideration for their not attending the public schools, the aid is for the student, not for the sectarian school.” (Institute for Justice)
School and district report cards are very easy to find on Oklahoma’s DOE homepage by clicking on Services, then Accountability. Report cards are easy to understand, user-friendly, and filled with relevant data on academic indicators and school climate.
Educational options are found under Families tab, providing parents with important data for making decisions including information on charter schools, virtual charter schools, homeschooling, and private school choice scholarships.
School board elections are not held during the general election cycle, which usually means lower voter turnout.
Kevin Stitt (R)
First term began in 2019 (two-term limit)
As promised in 2020, Governor Kevin Stitt achieved his goal of expanding the state’s tax credit scholarship program in May of 2021, arguing that it’s good for parents and students: “Over the past year, it’s become even more clear that education is not one-size-fits-all.. This program helps create more opportunities for kids to attend the school that best fits their needs.” Many impediments to a diverse array of education options still need an Oklahoma size effort.
Many efforts to increase education opportunity were waged but modestly failed to do the job other than the slight change for choice programs. Additionally, the charter law needs a facelift. Let’s see pro-education innovation legislation “Sooner” rather than later!
Oklahoma has a Blaine Amendment. “In 2016, in Oliver v. Hofmeister, the Oklahoma Supreme Court upheld a scholarship voucher program against a Blaine Amendment challenge because the program was neutral with respect to religion. In the opinion, the Court distinguished between helping students (permissible) and helping the religious schools they choose to attend (impermissible) and held that the voucher program fell into the first category… Because the parent—not the government—decides where the child goes to school and receives the aid in consideration for their not attending the public schools, the aid is for the student, not for the sectarian school.” (Institute for Justice)
School and district report cards are very easy to find on Oklahoma’s DOE homepage by clicking on Services, then Accountability. Report cards are easy to understand, user-friendly, and filled with relevant data on academic indicators and school climate.
Educational options are found under Families tab, providing parents with important data for making decisions including information on charter schools, virtual charter schools, homeschooling, and private school choice scholarships.
School board elections are not held during the general election cycle, which usually means lower voter turnout.