While some think early childhood development rests solely on the shoulders of parents, there are ways in which societal factors can hinder early learning. These include lack of access to quality health care and child care as well as exposure to toxic stress and poverty-related trauma. Research shows quality early childhood care and education helps […]
education
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At what price?
Janet Barresi Credit: Mark Hancock The study by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities reports that inflation-adjusted per-pupil spending in the state decreased 20.3 percent from fiscal years 2008 to 2013. Alabama was second from the bottom, and Arizona had the biggest decrease. The study found Oklahoma spends $706 less per student now than […]
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From movie to measure
Viola Davis and Maggie Gyllenhaal in \”Won\’t Back Down\” California, Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana have already passed such laws. Groups that write model legislation, such as the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), have drafted model bills for legislators to introduce in their home states. Parent trigger laws allow for dramatic changes at a school if […]
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Clear evidence
“We’ve had a tremendous number of applications,” said Robert D. Mather, associate professor of experimental psychology and the forensic psychology graduate program coordinator. “Law enforcement wants graduates that are highly trained in rigorous scientific training, and this forensic psychology degree will help fill a very specific need in the law enforcement community.” UCO’s master’s in […]
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Point: Slow down on ODOT funding
One of the few exceptions to the hard times is the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. Following a long stretch in which state investment in roads and bridges remained virtually flat, the Legislature in 2005 created the ROADS (Rebuilding Oklahoma Access and Driver Safety) fund. Revenues for this fund come directly from personal income tax collections, […]
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The hell you say
Just ask Kaitlin Nootbaar, the last academic year’s valedictorian of Prague High School. Her reference of Hades’ hangout in her valedictory address last May so irritated school administrators that they’ve withheld her diploma until she writes letters of apology to everyone short of the school’s janitorial staff. Kaitlin’s father, David Nootbaar, said he and his […]
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School work
The John W. Rex Charter Elementary School is the final school that will be built through MAPS for Kids. It is a partnership between Oklahoma City Public Schools and OKC Quality Schools Inc., a nonprofit group headed by former mayor Kirk Humphreys. Oklahoma City Public Schools will apply for the school’s charter to the University […]
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Back at school
Some held a large orange banner that proclaimed, “We can … We shall … We will … Stand up.” One fired teacher, Stephanie Carter, waved a sign asking motorists to “honk for justice.” The planned three-day demonstration was organized by several fired teachers whose accusations have prompted a district investigation. A district spokesperson has said […]
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Free-range education
Credit: Brad Gregg Beginning this fall, students kindergarten through 12th grade will have the opportunity to take a class or two online, or never enter a school building at all. Sheli McAdoo, out-going executive director of the district’s secondary education and reform, said she is optimistic about the future of the new program. “We’ll use […]
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Getting schooled
Justin Harlan Established in 1990 as a member of AmeriCorps, the organization places teachers, who commit to two years of service, in low-income areas. Now it has more than 9,300 corps members teaching more than 600,000 students nationwide. Henson Adams, who just finished his first year with the program, said he believes it has made […]