Tag Archives: Education Tulsa

Reactions to St. Isidore v. Drummond

By David Arnett

Today, the Supreme Court of the United States issued a 4-4 per curium opinion in St. Isidore v. Drummond, a case involving the Oklahoma Charter School Board’s approval of St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School for inclusion as a charter-school. First Liberty Institute represents Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters, the State Board of Education, and the State Department of Education.

“Allowing the exclusion of religious schools from our charter school program in the name of 19th century religious bigotry is wrong,” said Superintendent Walters. “As state superintendent, I will always stand with parents and families in opposition to religious discrimination and fight until all children in Oklahoma are free to choose the school that serves them best, religious or otherwise.”

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Dear Legislators, Oppose SJR20

By David Arnett, Publisher

In a public release early this morning, more than 30 organizations and individuals, representing thousands of conservative Oklahomans, politely request legislators to oppose SJR20, the proposed joint resolution that seeks to disapprove the newly adopted science and social studies standards.

The letter notes that “three State Board members were replaced just days before the final vote, disrupting a nearly year-long process. Now, some individuals are using that disruption as cover to try to reverse the results, results that reflect the will of the people. This is not about flawed standards; it is about political interference and media manipulation.

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Walters Enforces DEI Mandate

By David Arnett

Today, State Superintendent Ryan Walters announced in a release that the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) will begin withholding federal education funds on April 25 from school districts that fail to sign the required federal Title VI assurance. This assurance, mandated by the U.S. Department of Education, confirms that schools will not engage in discriminatory practices under the guise of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). This may be a horrific shock to the Tulsa Public Schools (TPS) System.

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Officials on TPS Audit Release Delay

By David Arnett

Patrick B. McGuigan of City News Tulsa posted a story today on local representatives questioning delay of the Tulsa Public Schools System audit. McGuigan reported from a release issued by the State House of Representatives and referenced previous stories crafted by this writer and Education Editor Susan Phillips.

McGuigan reports, Representatives Chris Banning of Bixby and Rob Hall of Tulsa, and Mark Tedford, R-Jenks, commented on the recent delay in releasing the state audit of Tulsa Public Schools (TPS) and management of federal relief funds.

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Supreme Court: OK Religious Freedom

By Jared Buswell

Late Friday afternoon, January 24, the US Supreme Court approved hearing the St. Isidore Catholic virtual charter school case, Statewide Charter School Board vs. Drummond.

The case contains several constitutional review questions with significant, national implications, including:

  • Does the First Amendment require states to never allow public funds to support charter schools run by religiously-affiliated organizations, or does it require states to not prohibit the religious activity of organizations that meet all state requirements to provide schools?
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