Category Archives: State

Testing Opportunities for HS Seniors

By David Arnett

State Superintendent Ryan Walters and the Oklahoma State Department of Education have announced in a recent release a free fall testing opportunity for high school seniors.

“Testing for college admission can help students place out of remedial coursework,” said Walters. “Instead of waiting for additional placement tests on campus, students can save time and money through these tests. I am proud our agency can provide this opportunity to help students get on the right track through college and beyond.”

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Oklahoma Teens Want Financial Literacy

By David Arnett

Back to School Survey: 68% of Teens Would Be Likely to Take a Financial Literacy Course, but Only 31% Say Such Courses are Offered at School

 Tulsa, OK – As students head back to school, research by Junior Achievement and research firm Big Village, records 68 percent would “likely” take a class on financial literacy (money management, personal finance) if offered to them, yet only 31 percent say they have access to these kinds of courses in school.

In research from the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) for Junior Achievements reveals the lack of financial literacy among adults costs the United States nearly half a billion dollars a year. The survey of 1,002 teens between the ages of 13 and 17 was conducted by Big Village between July 9 and 14, 2024.

“When you ask adults what they wish they learned in school but didn’t, it usually involves topics like understanding how money works,” said Shannan Beeler, President of Junior Achievement of Oklahoma in a release today. “These findings show that most teens today would like access to this kind of information, but many may not be getting it.”

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Vacation? Let’s Talk Insurance!

By Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready

Many Oklahomans are still planning to hit the road for a vacation before summer ends. Nothing can ruin your fun like having to cancel a trip, getting hurt while away from home or returning to a costly incident at your house. Fortunately, different types of insurance can help in the situations I just described. Whether planning an expedition overseas or just a quick weekend trip to the lake, let’s talk about insurance before you take off.

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Oklahoma 6th in At-Risk Youth

By David Arnett

In a report released Wednesday, personal-finance website WalletHub compared states to find Oklahoma youth rank 6th (1=Most at Risk; 25=Avg.) by their comparisons. The data set ranges from the share of disconnected youth to the labor force participation rate among young adults to the youth poverty rate.

At-risk youth are often defined as, “a child who is less likely to transition successfully into adulthood. Success can include academic success and job readiness, as well as the ability to be financially independent. It also can refer to the ability to become a positive member of society by avoiding a life of crime.”

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OK Support for Classroom Bible Use

By David Arnett

A Moms for Liberty Oklahoma press release July 17 announced the organization’s reasons in supporting use of Bibles in education:

On June 27th, Oklahoma Superintendent Ryan Walters issued a memo requiring schools to incorporate the Bible in Oklahoma classroom curricula as a historical document. Since the announcement, opponents have expressed their dismay, claiming the new rule blends church and state and that the Bible has no place in Oklahoma public schools.

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