If things go as planned, Common Core could reorganize curriculum, change old-school teaching styles, add more weight to literacy and redefine standardized testing. In one year, it’s supposed to be fully implemented in all Oklahoma schools, and the Oklahoma State Department of Education (SDE) just started looking for new tests. It has been a loaded […]
Peter Wright
Posted inNews
Getting testy
Sen. David Holt Credit: Mark Hancock Signed by Gov. Mary Fallin in May 2012, the new law makes anyone caught with drugs in his or her system ineligible for payments from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program for six to 12 months. It also expanded a statefunded drug screening process. From November 2012 […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Slumming it
In the past year, Feed the Children has changed both its focus and its leadership. Now it hopes to educate people about its mission by recreating the atmosphere of an African slum inside an Oklahoma City warehouse. After walking through a hallway lined with pictures of kids in Feed the Children programs, visitors see a […]
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Kid stuff
Educare, a preschool program for at-risk youth, is credited as one of Oklahoma’s high points for early childhood education. Credit: Shannon Cornman Oklahoma was one of two states with the greatest gains in overall child well-being, moving from 40th place to 36th in the 2013 Kids Count Data Book, an annual study by the Annie […]
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And justice for all
Russ Florence Credit: Mark Hancock “What OCCJ looks like in Oklahoma City might be different than what it looks like in Tulsa, or it might look similar. The central component is the mission, and that’s what we focus on,” said Russ Florence, OCCJ’s chairman-elect. The group has been operating independently in Tulsa since 2005. Prior […]
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Moore will be more
“I left the door open on the shelter so we could look. We had the radio down there to follow the path of the tornado,” said 53-year-old Greg Stephens. Then the winds roared, and Stephens moved to close the door. “It wouldn’t latch,” he recalled. He clambered out and struggled with the door, trying to […]
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Crossing Obamacare
The Christian faith of Hobby Lobby’s sole owners, the Green family, is as ubiquitous as the Christian pop songs on the chain’s satellite radio station. All stores close on Sundays, and full-page newspaper ads quoting scripture have become a tradition on Christian holidays. Mardel, a smaller chain under the same ownership, specializes in Christian merchandise. […]
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New life
At an April 24 ceremony, the mall was officially renamed Plaza Mayor at the Crossroads. Developer Jose Legaspi said it is a reference to the main square in Mexico City. Twenty new tenants already have signed contracts, and developers are in talks with others. The new businesses include clothing, jewelry and shoe stores, two restaurants […]
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Waterworld
Lake Hefner Credit: Shannon Cornman But water conservation appears to be gaining steam. “This year, it’s more important to think about how to use water, especially outdoors,” said Debbie Ragan, spokeswoman for the city’s utilities department. Oklahoma City doesn’t have to look far for inspiration, as one of its closest neighbors is being recognized nationally […]
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Lottery limbo
Rollo Redburn Credit: Mark Hancock Politicians and industry officials guessed that figure could be upwards of $150 million per year, depending on how likely Oklahomans were to buy tickets. But no one really knew, and if you asked for a wager, they would say, “Wait until it’s started.” As it turns out, the lottery has […]