Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent Keith Ballard has recommended that McLain seventh-graders be moved to the old Alcott Elementary School building next year to free up space at McLain Junior High and High School.

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Class act: Collinsville teacher gets support from school during health crisis

By KIM ARCHER World Staff Writer

Terry Coburn's third-grade class had to say goodbye to their teacher for the second time this year.

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School reinforcement could be key to saving lives, engineer says

By ANDREA EGER World Staff Writer

Storm shelters in schools may be as rare as they are in any other public buildings, but experts in emergency preparedness and construction engineering say more can be done to protect vulnerable schoolchildren.

Storm-safety measures at Broken Arrow, Jenks schools restricted by cost

Aftermath Notebook: Senate passes relief bill from 'rainy day' fund

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Storm-safety measures at Broken Arrow, Jenks schools restricted by cost

By KIM ARCHER World Staff Writer

Neither Broken Arrow or Jenks schools have underground shelters for students in the event of a tornado, but both districts have taken measures to keep children as safe as possible.

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Longtime superintendents for Jenks, Union schools to step down June 30

By KIM ARCHER World Staff Writer

Jenks Public Schools Superintendent Kirby Lehman and Union Public Schools Superintendent Cathy Burden - two of the state's most outspoken voices for public education - are counting down the last days in their posts.

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TPS has disaster plans in place

By ANDREA EGER World Staff Writer

Tornado drills are a routine part of school life in Oklahoma, but local officials say all of the preparation in the world could never be enough when the worst of the worst happens.

Find all the coverage from the Moore tornado, including photo slideshows and a video from the World’s award winning photographers.
Find updates from the state of Oklahoma on the tornado aftermath.

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Tulsa student overcomes obstacles to graduate high school

By ANDREA EGER World Staff Writer

Graduation is something to be celebrated, but this soon-to-be Hale High School grad is too concerned about making a better future for himself to savor the occasion.

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Colleges court foreign students for financial, cultural reasons

By SILAS ALLEN NewsOK.com

When Yuka Ito came to the United States to study, she bypassed colleges in large, internationally known cities in favor of northeast Oklahoma.

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Jenks schools scrutinized by state education department over "field test" opt-outs

By KIM ARCHER World Staff Writer

The Oklahoma State Department of Education is investigating Jenks Public Schools apparently to see if its parent-led movement to opt students out of "field tests" was instigated or encouraged by district employees, the Tulsa World has learned.

CONTINUING COVERAGE: Read more in-depth reporting on education in Oklahoma.

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Revisions of A-F school grading formula pass Oklahoma House

By RANDY KREHBIEL World Staff Writer

"We have had a very, very, extremely bumpy road," said Rep. Lee Denney, R-Cushing, the author of House Bill 1658. "I've heard the same complaints all of you have."

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KIPP Tulsa's inaugural class graduating from high school; most heading to college

By ANDREA EGER World Staff Writer

KIPP Tulsa College Preparatory's motto is "climbing the mountain to college," and its inaugural class of fifth-graders are doing just that.

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For Lanier fifth-graders, the end is just the beginning

By SARA PLUMMER World Staff Writer

It's called a fifth-grade promotion, but the ceremony Thursday for Lanier Elementary School's fifth-graders had all the earmarks of a graduation.

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Broken Arrow student graduates with class despite profound disabilities

By KIM ARCHER World Staff Writer

Nobody really knows what 18-year-old Mary Washer understands about walking across the dais at the Mabee Center to receive her high school diploma.

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Monte Cassino youngsters hold coin drive for disorder affecting classmates

By SARA PLUMMER World Staff Writer

Students from Monte Cassino's early childhood learning center and elementary school took turns emptying bags and jars full of pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters into a counting machine Wednesday at the private Catholic school.

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Tulsa students say what they want in local parks

By KEVIN CANFIELD World Staff Writer

Desiree Aguilar knows what kids want in their city parks - Wi-Fi.

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House panel backs opening School of Math and Science to paying nonresident students

By RANDY KREHBIEL World Staff Writer

Students from other states and countries would be accepted at the Oklahoma School of Science and Math under legislation advanced through a House committee Wednesday.

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Tulsa Tech, St. Gregory's University partnership expands options for students

By SARA PLUMMER World Staff Writer

An agreement between Tulsa Technology Center and St. Gregory's University will soon allow Tulsa Tech's applied science students to transfer credits toward an associate's or bachelor's degree.

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Tulsans approve Tulsa Public Schools' $38 million high-tech bond issue

By ANDREA EGER World Staff Writer

Voters in the Tulsa Public Schools district overwhelmingly approved a $38 million bond issue Tuesday that will provide teachers with modern instructional technology and students with up-to-date computers.

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Oklahoma school districts could opt out of state mandates under bill sent to governor

By RANDY KREHBIEL World Staff Writer

Asked whether learning to cope with bullies is not a part of growing up, Denney said the legislation is necessary because the ability to fight back has been diminished.

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TPS "Smart and Secure Schools" bond vote is today

By ANDREA EGER World Staff Writer

The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday so voters can consider a $38 million bond proposal that would improve technology and safety in Tulsa Public Schools.

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Local students, artists team up to create art for charity auction

By SARA PLUMMER World Staff Writer

Like many 14-year-old girls, Jessica Quillman loves horses, even though she's never ridden one.

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TPS hoping to increase computers in classrooms

By ANDREA EGER World Staff Writer

Tulsa Public Schools is asking voters to approve a $38 million bond proposal on Tuesday to help the district catch up to the technology already available in nearly every suburban school district.

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5 Oklahoma teachers to receive 2013 Medal for Excellence

By KIM ARCHER World Staff Writer

Experience has taught local educators Jill Steeley and John Waldron that getting to know students is the first step to effective teaching.

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Tulsa Community College, Tulsa-area high schools collaborate for students to EXCELerate their college years

By ANDREA EGER World Staff Writer

Walking across the stage at East Central High School's graduation ceremony this month won't be like crossing the finish line for Jennifer Hickling, Stephanie Thao and Marisol Trejo.

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University of Oklahoma regents approve designs for library renovation

By SILAS ALLEN NewsOK.com

Planned renovations to the University of Oklahoma's Bizzell Memorial Library are beginning to take shape.

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Oklahoma House Democrats want test firm's contract terminated, suit filed

By ANDREA EGER World Staff Writer

"These exams epitomize high-stakes testing," said House Democratic Leader Scott Inman, D-Del City.

CONTINUING COVERAGE: Read more in-depth reporting on education in Oklahoma.

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Standardized testing problems affect 9,100 Oklahoma students

By ANDREA EGER World Staff Writer

Tulsa Superintendent Keith Ballard said he was incredulous at the Education Department's response..

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Two Tulsa students named Presidential Scholars

By ANDREA EGER World Staff Writer

Oklahoma's only two U.S. Presidential Scholars this year are from Tulsa.

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Tulsa Public Schools board OKs mentoring programs for at-risk students

By ANDREA EGER World Staff Writer

Students at nearly a dozen Tulsa schools will have new academic support systems in place this fall.

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TPS seeks $38 million bond to enhance technology at all schools

By ANDREA EGER World Staff Writer

Even with digital-age technologies, a paperless classroom may seem like a pipe dream.

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State leaders react to new education budget deal

By ANDREA EGER World Staff Writer

Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent Keith Ballard and House Majority Leader Fred Jordan were among the local leaders who reacted to the state's new budget deal at a Thursday afternoon event.

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Lawmakers seek to invalidate results of beleaguered state school testing

By Staff Reports

Two Republican House members said Thursday that they will seek legislation to invalidate statewide testing that has been plagued by computer failure.

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State lawmakers question validity of new testing program in public schools

By ANDREA EGER & KIM ARCHER World Staff Writers

Tulsa Superintendent Keith Ballard and a growing number of state lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are now calling into question the validity of the 2012-13 Oklahoma testing program for public school students.

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Glitches in testing program leaves students, teachers frustrated

By ANDREA EGER World Staff Writer

Many Tulsa students who were affected by the technical problems on Monday and Tuesday went without lunch because tests that should have taken a couple of hours in the morning stretched out over four to five hours.

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Oklahoma students' state tests again halted after computer problems

By KIM ARCHER World Staff Writer

Oklahoma students taking state tests Tuesday were again stopped cold after the testing company's computer servers crashed for a second consecutive day.

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Grassroots group advocates change in state testing

By ANDREA EGER World Staff Writer

A group of local educators and parents is organizing to advocate for change in Oklahoma's state testing program because they think its expansion has had harmful effects on children.

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Beyond budget cuts

By ANDREA EGER World Staff Writer

Jay Garrett doesn't mind that budget cuts have forced music teachers like him to divide their time between three different school sites.

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Server crashes end school testing across Oklahoma

By KIM ARCHER World Staff Writer

School testing came to a halt statewide early Monday because the CTB/McGraw-Hill testing company servers in New Jersey crashed around 9 a.m., state education officials said.

CONTINUING COVERAGE: Read all stories dealing with Tulsa's education system.

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National Institute for Early Education Research gives Oklahoma high marks for gains in prekindergarten

By ANDREA EGER World Staff Writer

Oklahoma is bucking national trends by increasing student enrollment and per-pupil state funding rates in its public prekindergarten programs, according to a new study by the National Institute for Early Education Research.

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Claremore principal retires after 40 years in education

By KIM ARCHER World Staff Writer

The first thing Lou Robertson is going to do after retirement is take a trip to Mount Rushmore with her husband.

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TPS re-evaluates process of selling Barnard Elementary School site

By ANDREA EGER World Staff Writer

The proposed sale of the vacant lot where Barnard Elementary School once stood has hit a dead end.

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Skiatook promotes Wil Parker, assistant high school principal, to principal

By RHETT MORGAN World Staff Writer

Skiatook Public Schools has promoted its assistant high school principal to principal.

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Oklahoma students lag nation in Advanced Placement test exams, scores

By ANDREA EGER World Staff Writer

A greater percentage of Oklahoma high school graduates are taking Advanced Placement exams and receiving passing scores than in previous years, but the state still lags behind the national average growth in both respects, officials said Thursday.

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Residents near former Barnard school fight proposal for short-term rehab facility

By KIM ARCHER World Staff Writer

Residents of historic neighborhoods around where Barnard Elementary School once stood were united Thursday in opposing the sale of the vacant lot to a nursing home developer.

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OSU's 'Branding Success' campaign exceeds $1 billion goal

By SAMANTHA VICENT World Correspondent

"America's Brightest Orange" took on a new meaning Tuesday, when Oklahoma State University President Burns Hargis announced a milestone in OSU's "Branding Success" campaign.

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State school board member from Tulsa area resigns, may challenge Barresi

By ANDREA EGER World Staff Writer

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Booker T. Washington named Oklahoma's top public high school by U.S. News & World Report

By SARA PLUMMER World Staff Writer

Tulsa Public Schools' Booker T. Washington has been picked as Oklahoma's top public high school by U.S. News & World Report's 2013 Best High School Rankings.

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Endowment fund to honor retiring Union Superintendent Cathy Burden

By KIM ARCHER World Staff Writer

The Union Public Schools board and the Union Schools Education Foundation announced Wednesday the creation of the Dr. Cathy Burden Legacy Endowment Fund in honor of the longtime superintendent, who will retire this year.

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Law gives schools role in graduating disabled students

By KIM ARCHER World Staff Writer

Gov. Mary Fallin signed into law on Tuesday a measure that will give local school districts a role in determining whether the most profoundly disabled students have made enough progress to graduate from high school.

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$38 million technology bond issue would add more iPads, teaching tools to TPS classrooms

By ANDREA EGER World Staff Writer

Angela Bagby's students in the autism classroom at Marshall Elementary School can't verbalize the answers to a spelling test or hold a pencil for more than a few minutes at a time because of sensory issues.

CONTINUING COVERAGE: Read details about the TPS bond proposal.

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Salary Database

By Staff Reports

Search a Tulsa World database of public school staff salaries for school year 2011-2012. Top 5 districts by average teacher base salary 1. Tannehill, Pittsburg County: $43,152.57 2. Straight, Texas County: $42,610.76 3. Chouteau-Mazie, Mayes County: $42,379.17 4. Cleora, Delaware County: $42,337.42 5. Thomas-Fay-Custer Unified, Custer County: $42,173.51 See the median and average teacher base salary for all Oklahoma school districts. (Excel document).