OKC Chief Presides Over 37,000 Students

By Tracy Simmons, Victoria Advocate, Texas

May 14–The Oklahoma City school district is the second largest in Oklahoma with more than 37,000 students.

Bob Moore was hired as superintendent there in 2003. During his first two years with the district, he implemented several school improvement initiatives, including dividing the district into six learning communities. Each learning community is led by an executive director. He also initiated the placement of instructional facilitators in the district’s lowest performing schools and secured private funds to begin a high performance model, an organizational health instrument and a customer survey.

Elementary student test scores have improved by 10 percent in reading and 15 percent in math. Middle school scores improved in math by 14 percent and by 10 percent in reading. Also, in 2005, 91 percent of the schools achieved adequate yearly progress, or AYP.

Under Moore’s leadership graduation rates increased from 64.5 percent to 73.7 percent and student scores on the ACT college entrance exam increased by 53 percent.

During Moore’s administration the district’s reserve funds rose from $6,500 to $6.5 million and the district has received two consecutive clean audits.

The district received the 2005 Oklahoma Quality Award and Commitment Level and had Classen School of Advanced Studies named one of the top 100 U.S. high schools, according to Newsweek.

Also in 2005, Oklahoma City was named one of the best 100 communities for young people by America’s Promise. According to the district’s Web site, this was based on MAPS for Kids, which is a half-billion dollar community-approved sales tax and bond issued to fund improvements in schools buildings, technology and transportation.

Through MAPS a new high school, Frederick A. Douglass, opened in January and four schools were renovated. Three schools are under construction and 160 new school buses were purchased.

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