Beth Wallis

The science of reading has been around for decades in some form or another, but a shift in what were thought to be best practices championed other methods that haven’t been nearly as effective.

The State Board of Education is weighing a proposed administrative rule that would require in-person attendance for alternative education schools. And for Insight School of Oklahoma — the state’s only all-virtual, alternative education charter school — that could spell disaster.

State Superintendent Ryan Walters is aiming to get the Department of Education involved in a lawsuit filed by Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond over what would be the nation’s first publicly funded religious school.

The State Department of Education announced three new initiatives to get tutoring to Oklahoma students: community volunteer tutoring, online tutoring through a third-party vendor and an incentive program for teachers to tutor.

In closing TPS’ presentation, Walters said while the district had walked the board through its “thought processes” and that they “sounded really good,” he wanted to see results. Walters referenced previous warnings he made regarding TPS when he said he was willing to do anything to turn the district around, and not to “test” him.

Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed two new members to the State Board of Education, filling the remaining vacancies on the board left by former members Suzanne Reynolds and Trent Smith.

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond filed a lawsuit Friday against the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board for its decision to approve what would be the nation’s first publicly funded religious school, the St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual Charter School.

StateImpact compiled this guide for navigating the new policies of income-driven federal student loan repayment.

A state board of education member is stepping down, leaving the embattled board with two vacancies. Gov. Kevin Stitt’s office announced Wednesday Suzanne Reynolds was resigning, effective immediately.

Oklahoma made taking a college readiness exam mandatory for all students in 2017, though districts may choose to use the ACT or SAT.