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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Amid mounting tension between State Superintendent Ryan Walters and district administrators over controversial mandates, Walters announced a proposal Wednesday to leave the jobs of school district superintendents in the hands of voters instead of being hired by local school boards. -
State Superintendent Ryan Walters, the State Board of Education and the State Department of Education are named in a lawsuit alleging state anti-bullying laws were not adequately enforced. -
Four years ago, lawmakers passed a bill requiring all Oklahoma public schools to offer at least four Advanced Placement courses. It went into effect this fall. But, most schools still aren't teaching four AP courses — and rural schools say the law has had little impact. -
Report on Oklahoma Department of Education finds no criminal action, stresses need for communicationThe Oklahoma Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency said the State Department of Education did not do anything to warrant a criminal investigation for how it handled funding at its legislative presentation Tuesday. But, it said the agency should have communicated better with districts and lawmakers. -
The Oklahoma State Board of Education voted to table much of its agenda at Thursday’s meeting, saying it was uncomfortable voting due to a sudden change in the board’s legal counsel, affected by State Attorney General Gentner Drummond. -
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. -
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. -
Former Norman educator Summer Boismier filed a petition in Oklahoma County District Court Friday to overturn the revocation of her teaching license. -
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.
