Education
Oklahoma misses cut in Race to the Top
Written by Dick Pryor Thursday, 04 March 2010 17:27
OKLAHOMA CITY - Oklahoma is not among the states making the first cut in the competition for federal Race to the Top education grants. According to a statement issued by the office of Governor Brad Henry:
Gov. Brad Henry today said Oklahoma will continue efforts to land a multi-million dollar federal education grant even though the state did not make the first cut in the national competition.
Oklahoma was one of 40 states and the District of Columbia to apply for the federal grant funds, but it was not on the list of finalist states announced this morning by the U.S. Department of Education. Under the Race to the Top program, the feds will award more than $4.3 billion in grant funding to states that implement the best innovations in their public school systems. The grants are being distributed in a competitive two-round process.
"We knew the process was going to be very challenging and it would be difficult to make the first list of finalists, but we felt Oklahoma had a strong case to make in the area of school innovations," said Gov. Henry. "In the days to come, we will be reviewing the proposals of the finalist states with an eye on improving our application and making another bid for the second round of Race to the Top funding."
Those states that did not make the finalist list can reapply for the second round of Race to the Top funding. The deadline for application is June 1 of this year.
Gov. Henry said he will encourage Oklahomans who have been collaborating on the Race to the Top application to continue their work with the new June 1 deadline in mind. Kathy Taylor, the governor's chief of education strategy and innovation, and State Schools Superintendent Sandy Garrett have been helping coordinate the application process.
"I want to commend Kathy Taylor and Superintendent Garrett for all of their good work. I also want to thank the coalition of lawmakers, business leaders, education advocates and other stakeholders who have worked hard and contributed to this process. The fight isn't over yet and we will need everyone to stay engaged for Oklahoma to be successful in the second round of competition," said the governor.
Low-achieving Okla. schools could get grant money
Written by Dick Pryor Monday, 01 March 2010 23:24
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - If they meet requirements, the lowest performing schools in Oklahoma could receive up to $2 million each as part of a federal grant program. The program is designated for the "persistently lowest achieving" schools. Assistant state superintendent Cindy Koss says the program could mean as much as $33 million for Oklahoma schools and that 35 state schools meet the federal definition of lowest-performing schools.
To receive the grants, districts would have to drastically change their administration, teaching staff or curriculum. Districts could also close the low-performing schools and move students to other district schools that are higher-achieving. Koss says she hopes the grant money will be allocated by the end of the school year.
Pickens gives another $100M to Oklahoma State
Written by Dick Pryor Monday, 01 March 2010 23:16
STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) - Billionaire oilman T. Boone Pickens says he's giving $100 million to fund a major endowment for scholarships at Oklahome State University, his alma mater. Pickens is announcing his gift at an event Friday to announce the start of a $1 billion campaign to raise money to fund scholarships, faculty positions, research and buildings at the Stillwater school.
OSU president Burns Hargis says that, of the $1 billion to be raised, $500 million would be used to endow scholarships and fellowships for students. Pickens' latest gift brings his donations to OSU to more than $400 million. Hargis said the campaign would be called "Branding Success."
Auditor criticizes Skiatook purchases
Written by Dick Pryor Wednesday, 24 February 2010 23:37
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma's chief auditor has released an investigative audit critical of the purchasing practices of Skiatook Public Schools. Auditor and Inspector Steve Burrage said Tuesday the audit found that the Tulsa County school district used a middleman to purchase janitorial supplies and security systems it could have purchased directly. Burrage says the school paid $60 several times for $11 trash cans and $540 for three mop heads valued at $13.50. He says thedistrict could have saved $564,000 had it purchased the items directly from suppliers. Burrage says he hates to see taxpayer dollars squandered when they should be benefitting the children of Oklahoma. The auditor says he has forwarded the audit to Attorney General Drew Edmondson's office to determine whether any laws were broken.
Senate panel approves private school tax credit
Written by Dick Pryor Tuesday, 16 February 2010 19:33
OKLAHOMA CITY - The Senate Finance Committee today approved, by a vote of 9-5, a bill that would provide tax credits for persons who contribute to a private school scholarship fund.
Senate Bill 1922, authored by Sen. Dan Newberry, Republican from Tulsa, would allow a 100% tax credit for persons donating to 501(c)(3) scholarship funds that would enable students to attend private schools. The scholarships would be available to students whose families have an annual income of up to 300% of the poverty level. Individuals could contribute up to $1000 per year; couples could contribute $2000 to be eligible for the tax credit.
There is a $10 million state cap on the tax credits each year under the "Oklahoma Equal Opportunity Education Scholarship Act."