According to the 2019 National Assessment of Educational Progress, only 29 percent of Oklahoma students are reading proficient in fourth grade. This year, 46 percent of Oklahoma students didn’t meet a single ACT benchmark. In addition, 33 percent of schools saw a decrease of a letter grade on their school report card this year.
These statistics are incredibly troubling, especially when you know that each number represents a child with a bright future that gets dimmer by the day. No matter what numbers or measurements you use, it’s obvious our children are not learning the skills necessary to successfully enter the workforce, making it more difficult for them to lead a fulfilling life.
That’s why recent attacks on the Oklahoma School Report Cards are so disheartening. Instead of working to change the numbers, many would rather break the measuring stick. Despite the criticism from naysayers, the reality is that the school report cards are a vital accountability tool, providing families and communities insight into how their local school is performing and a comparison to others around the state.
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