Oklahoma’s public school enrollment grew by 6,722 students this year compared with last year, according to the state Department of Education.
About 688,300 students are now enrolled in public schools across the state, a 1 percent increase over last year. This year’s numbers reflect a 4 percent growth since 2010.
State Schools Superintendent Janet Barresi used the newest figures released Wednesday to renew her call for more education funding.
“A steady increase in enrollment creates real challenges for our educators, especially in the midst of a teacher shortage and budgetary constraints,” she said, in a written statement. “More funding needs to be allocated for classrooms and teacher salaries, but money alone will not help without strong leadership from school leaders.”
Oklahoma’s largest districts are:
• Oklahoma City Public Schools: 45,297 students
• Tulsa: 41,043
• Moore: 23,559
• Edmond: 23,522
• Putnam City: 19,447
According to this year’s report, Oklahoma’s student population is:
• 51 percent white,
• 15 percent American Indian
• 15 percent Hispanic
• 9 percent black
• 8 percent two or more races
• 2 percent Asian, Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
Oklahoma Watch is a nonprofit, nonpartisan journalism service that produces in-depth and investigative content on a range of public-policy issues facing the state. For more Oklahoma Watch content, go to www.oklahomawatch.org.