OKLAHOMA CITY – The state’s 2018-19 School Report Card shows an increase in academic growth for elementary and middle school students, but there are challenges remaining in the state’s education system.
Academic growth was up for students in third through eighth grades. The rate of math growth was an improvement over 2018, while growth in English language arts was down slightly year over year.
“We still have challenges and are not yet where we want to be,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister. “The good news is we are on the right track. Individual students are making progress, although too many are not yet college or career ready.
“In any system built on continuous improvement, however, individual student growth is the first sign of
success moving forward. These gains indicate we are laying the foundation for future gains at the school, district and state level.”
“This tremendous jump in internships confirms the effectiveness of Oklahoma’s emphasis on college and career readiness,” Hofmeister said.
The report cards also indicate that big challenges remain. Academic achievement declined in all tested grades. That drop was most pronounced in high schools, which do not have a mechanism to show academic growth.
“As we celebrate individual student growth, we must focus on meeting students where they are and preparing them for the next grade, course or level so that they are successful in life after high school. If we do not make meaningful changes in our instructional practices, we will not see meaningful change in our academic performance,” said Hofmeister.
The 2018-19 Oklahoma SchoolReportCardincludes the following bright spots:
• 95 elementary schools improved one letter grade or more in the overall grade, largely due to increases in academic growth.
• 95 middle schools increased one letter grade or more in the overall grade.
• 5 high schools improved two overall letter grades due to gains in points for graduation and post-secondary opportunities.
• 44 high schools increased one overall letter grade.
• For high schools, the report card shows a 0.7% increase in the four-year graduation rate – from 82.9% to 83.6% – as well as gains in postsecondary opportunities.
In particular, internships, which are measured under the Postsecondary Opportunities indicator, are up 400% over last year.