Beth Wallis
Reporter for StateImpact OklahomaBeth Wallis holds a journalism degree from the University of Oklahoma. Originally from Tulsa, she also graduated from Oklahoma State University with a bachelor's degree in music education and a master's degree in conducting performance. She was a band director at a public school for five years.
Beth is an alumnus of the Carnegie-Knight News21 Fellowship and NPR Next Generation Radio. She's been recognized for her work by the Hearst Awards, the Society of Professional Journalists, the Associated Collegiate Press and the Oklahoma Broadcast Education Association. She was awarded Best Podcast from the Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists for her series "At the Seams," which explores Norman's relationships with political division, police funding and its own racial history.
Beth enjoys hiking, playing with her four dogs and discovering new favorite musical artists.
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Mustang Public Schools has suspended 122 students for demonstrating against ICE during the school day. -
State Superintendent Lindel Fields and Secretary of Education Dan Hamlin responded Friday morning to an open letter from lawmakers calling for an investigation into student-led ICE protests. -
Board members said they were bound to follow the St. Isidore ruling from the Oklahoma Supreme Court, despite some doing so begrudgingly. -
The coalition, including the ACLU and Oklahoma Appleseed Center, claims the theoretical school would “indoctrinate its students in Jewish religious beliefs.” -
Public comment is now open for Oklahoma's new social studies academic standards. And, this year's version is markedly different from the standards put out by former State Superintendent Ryan Walters' administration. -
The Oklahoma State Department of Education debuted its budget request for the 2026 legislative session Monday. -
With the 2026 Legislative Session set to begin in February, lawmakers are previewing upcoming priorities for the months ahead. Thursday, Senate Education Committee leadership said literacy will be the focal point of education policy this year. -
State Superintendent Ryan Walters' new PragerU-backed "America First" test for out-of-state teachers is now live. And despite Walters' claims the test will weed out "woke" teachers, it is impossible to fail. -
As schools across the state are starting classes, students and parents may notice some changes this year, thanks to the legislature. StateImpact's Logan Layden and Beth Wallis discuss what's new for Oklahoma students this school year. -
Last week, State Superintendent Ryan Walters announced Oklahoma districts would no longer be required to administer current end-of-the-year math and English tests for third- through eighth-grade.
