Large school districts have less despite spending more
Elizabeth Sims
April 12, 2018
By Elizabeth Sims and Luke Schumacher, [UNFILTERED] reporters Graphics by Elizabeth Sims A map of the instructional expenditures per student by district. Click here for full-screen map. School districts in the metropolitan areas of Oklahoma – specifically, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Moore and Edmond – have the highest total instructional expenditures but spend far less per...
Small town superintendent against consolidating school districts
Taitum Wilson
April 12, 2018
The long-debated question of consolidating smaller school districts in Oklahoma to help the education budget has reappeared in the wake of the statewide teacher walkout. A bill that would have consolidated smaller school districts died 11-1 in a Senate committee in February. There are 520 school...
One OK teacher walkout is worth two in the brush for art education
Brigette Waltermire
April 12, 2018
Every year, “Oklahoma Arts Day” is held at the Oklahoma State Capitol on a day designated by Oklahomans for the Arts (OFTA). This year, it just so happened to be during the Oklahoma teacher walkout. The typical art day model for OFTA was “not practical.” The OFTA partnered with Oklahoma A+ Schools,...
Education students at OU walk out with teachers
Meridith Mulkey
April 11, 2018
Future teachers have been standing alongside those at the walkout to make a difference in the lives of their future students. Anna Smith, a senior at the University of Oklahoma who is majoring in elementary education, has been at the Capitol every day of the walkout except one. Smith is in her last...
Small districts in Oklahoma feel effects of teacher walkout
Kayla McCullough
April 10, 2018
The Oklahoma teacher walkout has come to a close, and now schools are feeling effects of missing class. For some smaller school districts, like Geronimo Public Schools, the need to make up school hours has had a tangible impact on teachers and students. Bill Pascoe, the principal of Geronimo High School,...
Oklahoma looking to call in more gambling revenue for education fund pot
Tyler Hall
April 8, 2018
As the teacher walkout intensified over the past week, the methods Oklahoma uses to obtain education funding came under extreme scrutiny. Many took to social media to share their confusion, outrage and – most importantly – find answers. Sonya Nevaquaya, former tribal leader and casino compliance off...
OK teacher walkout encourages students to register to vote
Harrison Lofton
April 7, 2018
The teacher walkout has led Oklahoma students to register to vote this week at the Capitol in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma public school students have been upset at the low funding given to their schools by the current state legislature, and some wanted to make an impact in upcoming elections. “With...
Students voice concerns through letters to their representatives
Adam Seibel
April 6, 2018
Several students from Beggs Elementary in Beggs, Oklahoma, voiced their concerns about education funding though letters aimed at their legislators. “We kids have voices, so here’s what I’m going to say: 'We get treated poorly, and we don’t want to lose our best teachers,'” wrote one student,...
Oklahoma teachers travel to state Capitol to protest
Josie Logsdon
April 4, 2018
Public school teachers across Oklahoma made their way to the state Capitol by school bus to march for higher education funding early Monday morning. Teachers at Longfellow Middle School in Norman, Oklahoma, said their priorities are the students’ learning environment and classroom resources. Beth...
A taste of compassion
Brandon King
April 4, 2018
In the early-morning darkness surrounding the Oklahoma State Capitol, the only lights visible are streetlights, blinking lights on circling helicopters, and a shack covered in painted-on icicles and snowmen. Flashing green, red, and blue lights illuminate the darkened parking l...
Music educators band together for Oklahoma walkout
Luke Schumacher
April 4, 2018
Oklahoma teachers started their walkout Monday morning raising signs, and, for some, sounds – hoping to strike a chord with legislators. Music educators across the state came together and formed a “walkout band” to join their fellow educators at the Oklahoma State Capitol. They played songs like...
College students, future teachers participate in Oklahoma State Capitol walkout
Caitlyn Epes
April 3, 2018
College students studying education from across Oklahoma joined with teachers in a walkout on the front lawn of the state capitol on Monday. Students from Oklahoma City University met at noon during the walkout to stand together in support o...
