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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Oklahoma higher ed workers navigate gaps in paid parental leave: lawmakers say it’s time to fix thatA growing list of Oklahoma colleges and universities are offering their workers paid parental leave. But it’s still a minority. The momentum comes after Oklahoma mandated maternity leave for state employees and teachers.
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More than 30 parents, teachers and faith leaders filed a lawsuit in the Oklahoma Supreme Court Thursday over State Superintendent Ryan Walters’ directive to require Bibles in every classroom and to use them as an instructional resource.
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Oklahoma grand jury blames Stitt, Walters for mishandling federal education funds in scathing reportA grand jury released a 31-page report detailing “irresponsible, disappointing and indefensible” oversight in pandemic-era federal education funds.
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Former Norman educator Summer Boismier filed a petition in Oklahoma County District Court Friday to overturn the revocation of her teaching license.
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Oklahoma schools use technology apps to manage everything from attendance to grades to parent communications. And now, a growing number of districts are updating hall passes to the digital age.
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At Thursday’s State Board of Education meeting, State Superintendent Ryan Walters announced in his annual budget proposal $3 million was already being spent on classroom Bibles, and the board voted to ask the legislature for an additional $3 million.
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Oklahoma CareerTech oversees 29 technology centers across 60 campuses statewide. It takes about 500,000 yearly enrollments and offers courses to students in about 400 school districts and adults.
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State Attorney General Gentner Drummond released an expedited opinion Sunday telling the Oklahoma State Department of Education it must release funds intended to enhance school safety measures.
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The Office of the Attorney General said in a statement it will look into the State Board of Education’s actions regarding executive session admittance for lawmakers at Wednesday’s board meeting.
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The Statewide Charter School Board voted Tuesday to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court on the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s decision the contract for the nation’s first publicly funded religious school was unconstitutional.