State’s Teachers Rank Seventh in National List

By Michael Bratcher, The Daily Oklahoman

Jan. 5–Publication sees high quality in school classrooms.

Oklahoma teachers are among the best in the nation, according to a report released Wednesday by an education group.

“Quality Counts,” a study conducted by the trade publication Education Week, ranked Oklahoma seventh in the nation for teacher quality.

Educators consider the study one of the most comprehensive reports of school operations.

State schools Superintendent Sandy Garrett said the large number of Oklahoma teachers seeking National Board Certification helped earn the high ranking.

Roy Bishop, president of the Oklahoma Education Association, said the report shows state teachers are as well prepared as any in the nation.

“When parents look to know that their children are in quality care, they know that an Oklahoma teacher is there,” he said.

The publication grades states in standards and accountability, improving teacher quality, school climate and resource equity.

Oklahoma received mostly above-average marks. The state scored a B plus, two B’s, a B minus and a C plus.

Garrett credits the state’s long history of education reform for the good grades.

“We began our standards-based education reforms long before most other states — in 1990 — and we have kept our commitment to higher standards,” she said.

Oklahoma scored above the national average in all areas except school climate which received a C plus, the national average. It lost points on school safety because state law does not enforce specific penalties for school violence incidents.

Bishop said school safety committees always are looking at ways to improve schools but cited statistics showing schools still are among the safest places for children.

The state received praise for a higher percentage of students attending smaller schools.

The report’s authors said Oklahoma earned full credit for holding schools accountable for their performance. However, the state was criticized for its end-of-course test formats.

Lynn Olson, executive project editor with Education Week, said it appears Oklahoma mostly relies on multiple-choice exams.

“We’re not saying multiple-choice items are bad, but that if you’re trying to get at a higher order of thinking and other skills, using a variety of test items might give you a richer picture of student performance,” Olson said.

The state also needs to include information about teacher qualifications on report cards sent home to parents, Olson said.

Garrett said the state’s biggest challenges are meeting the needs of students with disabilities and those who come to school with limited English proficiency.

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