Oklahoma education officials discuss decline in state's national rankings
TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — For the last decade, Oklahoma's schools have been sliding in a big way.
National rankings put the state 17th in the nation in 2011, but today, Oklahoma is 49th, according to a 2021 EdWeek report.
In 10 years, Oklahoma has seen a 25% reduction in education spending, according to State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister. That was one of several concerning statistics she shared with us, particularly concerning teacher shortages and the number of emergency certified teachers we're getting in the door.
"In 2011, there were only 32 requests for emergency certifications," Hofmeister said.
Where are we at today with that number?
"Oh, we're over 3,000," she said. "We're talking about in one month over 1,000 requests. It is catastrophic."
The Oklahoma Education Association also sees this as a catastrophe. A funding problem created by "one-and-done" thinking.
"We're 47th in the nation on what we spend per pupil funding, what we spend on students in the classroom," said Katherine Bishop, president of the Oklahoma Education Association. "That has a direct correlation and a direct impact on our students' learning."
Class sizes have swollen and OEA is starting to hear horror stories from districts trying to stretch every dollar, but they can only go so far.
"It is time to see education as a workforce as one of the largest industries in our state," Bishop said. "In many of our communities, the public school is the largest employer."
One that Hofmeister says is not only underfunded but is being disrespected by those seeking political power.
"It takes leaders at the top who actually address the problem, not make it worse," she said. "The rhetoric we are seeing on culture war buzzwords is something that is demoralizing and making people want to leave the profession."
What does need to happen, she believes, is the culture wars to stop and real and meaningful investment to begin. And Oklahoma has the funding to do it.
"The governor has his hands on today, with the rainy day fund, $2.8 billion set aside for a rainy day," Hofmeister said. "Well, check the weather because it's pouring now and our kids are paying the price."