For the past decade, Oklahoma has consistently ranked among the lowest states in the nation for educational quality, driven by low math and reading scores, higher dropout rates and limited social resources. These alarming statistics have cast a shadow over the state’s public education system, spurring a rallying cry for change.
The Oklahoma Education Impact Initiative (OKEII), a non-profit organization, is among those advocating for reform. Through its extensive research, conducted by leading scholars from Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma, OKEII seeks to provide data-driven solutions to transform Oklahoma’s education system.
Kathy Curry, Ph.D., serves as a research adviser for OKEII. She is a professor and the Williams Chair of Higher Education in the Educational Leadership/School Administration Program at Oklahoma State University, as well as the program coordinator for Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. Her research focuses on leadership development, family engagement in education and social learning spaces, along with international studies on education systems worldwide.
“We began this initiative with a primary research objective of understanding what different stakeholder groups — parents, educators and community members — considered to be the main problems affecting K-12 education in our state,” said Curry. “Then, by looking at the challenges identified, elicit potential solutions, whether through resources, best practices or state policies to address some of the problems.”
Individual success and economic growth
OKEII was founded on the belief that public education is vital to our children’s future and our state’s success. Creating momentum for meaningful improvements first requires us to remember why public education matters and how its success or failure affects everyone, not just those directly connected to public schools.
“Public education serves several critical functions in society,” said Dan Hamlin*, Ph.D., an associate professor of education policy and research director of the Thrive Center at the University of Oklahoma.
His academic research examines the impact of education policies on student health and safety, family engagement, school climate and school choice. Also serving as a research advisor for OKEII, Hamlin highlighted the lasting impact of investing in education.
“There is a lot of evidence showing that when there are substantial investments in a child’s education, through the provision of a good school and family support, there are strong returns, by way of increased job opportunities, career paths and financial stability,” said Hamlin. “Oklahoma students are not only competing with job applicants throughout the nation; within our global economy, they’re competing internationally as well.”
Hamlin cites Oklahoma’s recent losses in bids to attract prominent new businesses as an example of the impact public education has on workforce needs.
“We live in a highly dynamic economic environment that changes on a dime, and we need a workforce prepared for it. The best way to do that is through education, cultivating strong academic skills and acumen to keep pace,” said Hamlin. “When you look at some of our country’s international competitors and see how much time, money and effort is put into not only the education system but to cultivating academic skills, what we’re doing in Oklahoma and even throughout the United States, pales in comparison.
“From a research standpoint, econometric analyses have long shown that strengthening academic skills promotes economic growth in individual states as well as countries as a whole.”
Personal well-being and positive community health
Understanding that quality education directly impacts a person’s ability to thrive economically, as well as support their broader community, is essential to championing the cause for educational reform, shared Curry. She drew attention to the societal benefits of supporting public education and references it as a foundation for greater social well-being, social cohesion and community resilience.
“A strong education system is like the rising tide that raises all boats,” said Curry. “Education builds critical thinking skills, improves literacy and promotes informed civic engagement within our communities and democracy. It cultivates life-long learners and promotes personal growth and development.
“In turn, you’ll find that when education is prioritized, societal challenges such as chronic illness, substance use and mental health issues are likely to diminish.”
Believing so much is at stake, OKEII is committed to its work to inspire, strengthen and transform Oklahoma’s public education system and support the success of Oklahoma students. OKEII intends to present its research findings and recommended solutions to the Oklahoma Legislature this session. For more information about OKEII and to review its research, visit okeii.org.
Editor’s note: Following the publication of this article, Dr. Hamlin was named Oklahoma’s secretary of education by Gov. Kevin Stitt.
