Tag Archives: Education Tulsa

OK Creation of Office of School Choice

By David Arnett

At last week’s Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting, State Superintendent Ryan Walters announced the creation of the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) Office of School Choice. The new division will function as a one-stop shop for all things related to school choice and parental empowerment in Oklahoma.

“Whatever the educational option parents choose, I want to make sure they have one place to go where they can navigate their options for their child,” said Walters. “I am proud that OSDE will be among the very first state departments in the nation to have created this resource. Oklahoma will continue to lead on school choice now and into the future, and we will be here to assist parents every step of the way.”

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TPS Conversations Continue

By Jared Buswell

Editor’s Note: In a recent opinion piece “Exposing TPS Special Interest Agenda” Jared Buswell wrote critically of the Tulsa Public School District. In response, Rachel, answered in the comment section beginning, “This article could not be more out of touch. I am a TPS parent and the majority board members do speak for me, they are working towards a public school system for ALL children.” This important community conversation should continue and here Buswell responds.

Opinion: Rachel, I am elated that your daughter is graduating from TPS with 36 college credits – what an achievement! 

I can relate to the work you’ve accomplished as a family and how thankful you must feel, as I was in a similar situation – as the student. The K-12 public education afforded me by caring teachers and public school supporters provided me opportunities to complete AP courses and enroll in the local university to finish Calculus 3 and Differential Equations – even back in the 90s when these pathways were less common. When I enrolled at Oral Roberts University, they awarded me exactly 36 college credits from work done in high school. I am forever grateful for my parents, administrators, and teachers who were flexible and generous enough to go out of their way to give me an education I didn’t know I needed.

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TCC Partners with AI

By David Arnett

Tulsa Community College is partnering with Tulsa-based technology company, WriteSea, to implement artificial intelligence to enhance job search and career development processes for TCC students and graduates the administration announced this morning.

Through this partnership, TCC students will gain exclusive access to WriteSea’s innovative platform, Job Search Genius AI, a comprehensive suite of AI-enabled features, including AI Resume Builder, AI Cover Letter Generator, AI Interview Prep, AI Mock Interview Simulation, Contact Tracker, Job Tracker, AI Salary & Benefits Negotiation Coach, AI Headshots, AI LinkedIn Review, and AI Job Applications. These tools are tailored for the job preparation process, from crafting compelling resumes to acing interviews and negotiating job offers.

This writer has worked extensively with AI and found current artificial programs lacking intelligence and bereft of creativity. Further, isn’t the role of a community college to teach students to think with skill for themselves, thereby elevating student intelligence?

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TPS Candidates & Media Show Who They Are

By Susan Phillips, Education Editor

Analysis: The Tulsa Public School (TPS) Board Candidate Forum sponsored by The University of Tulsa, The Tulsa World and The Tulsa Press Club was held in the Lorton Performance Center on February 27, 2024.

Four of the six candidates for the three TPS Board introduced themselves and fielded several questions prepared by Tulsa World employees and one prepared by TPS students.

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TPS Revises Goals to Align Expectations

By Susan Phillips, Education Editor

The Tulsa Public School (TPS) board unanimously approved revisions to the goals and guardrails established in their 2022-2027 Strategic plan. The rationale was to:

  • align TPS goals with what the Oklahoma State Board of Education (OSBOE) wants to see accomplished
  • focus monitoring energies primarily on academic outcomes
  • continue monitoring equitably providing education for all students including Special Education

Five board members were present: Board President Stacey Woolley, Vice President John Croisant, E’Lena Ashley, Susan Lamkin, and Diamond Marshall. 

The following revisions were part of the consent agenda, the entirety of which passed without discussion. Note: it is unusual for there to be no discussion of any aspect of the consent agenda.

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