Oklahoma to start ‘woke’ test for teachers: What you need to know
Oklahoma’s new “America First” teacher certification test will require educators from California and New York to agree with conservative curriculum.
The University of Central Oklahoma is adding what will be the Edmond school’s second doctoral degree program, this time in education.
UCO has had a teacher education program since its founding in 1890. In 1919, it became known as Central State Teachers College, a four-year teachers’ college that offered bachelor’s degrees.
“From the University of Central Oklahoma’s roots as a normal school dedicated to teacher preparation to our evolution as a comprehensive university – the doctor of education in transformative leadership and learning is both an extension of our legacy and a mark of the university’s momentum,” UCO President Todd Lamb said.
The university launched its first doctoral degree, the doctor of science in forensic science, in 2023. It recently received approval to add the second program from the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, regents for the Regional University System of Oklahoma and the Higher Learning Commission.
UCO officials say students can expect to complete the 60-credit-hour program, which will first be offered in 2026, in about three years. The program is anticipated to launch in 2026.
Lamb said the addition of the degree program moves UCO closer to a goal of achieving a Research 2, or R2, designation in the Carnegie Classification, which is administered by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. To achieve the ranking, a university must spend at least $5 million annually on research and development activities and award at least 20 doctoral degrees each academic year. UCO already meets the spending threshold.
Oklahoma presently has two R1 universities – the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State Universities – but no R2 universities.
“Recognition as a public R2 institution in Oklahoma will position UCO to take innovation to an even greater level, benefitting the economic growth of the state and region,” said Courtney Warmington, the current chair of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education board.
Tulsa schools adopt new policy on mascots and imagery
The Tulsa Public Schools Board of Education voted Sept. 8 to approve a new policy that would require its schools to “avoid any imagery or language that perpetuates racial, ethnic, gender-based, religious, or cultural stereotypes” in mascot names or branding elements.
The 6-1 vote came amid new discussions about the mascots of two of the district’s high schools: the Central Braves and the Webster Warriors. Superintendent Ebony Johnson said there are no plans to change those nicknames, but instead to “to take a look at a potential revision of the imagery associated with Braves and Warriors.”
The board also voted 6-1 to “revise the mascot visual imagery, depicting Native Americans,” on branding elements and structure for Webster High School, Webster Middle School, Central High School and Central Middle School. It authorized Johnson “to develop a replacement mascot visual imagery, with input from appropriate stakeholders.”
In recent years, some professional, college and high school teams have moved away from Native American imagery and nicknames. Major League Baseball’s Cleveland Indians became the Guardians and the NFL’s Washington Redskins became the Commanders. Closer to home, Union High School in Tulsa has changed from Redskins to Redhawks while Capitol Hill High School in Oklahoma City has changed from Redskins to Red Wolves.
“This will be a full-blown full constituency process that we will conduct in order to land at a place where we can all feel good about where we’re going with this mascot imagery,” Johnson told board members.
OCCC is blazing trails with new nickname
Oklahoma City Community College does not have any athletic teams, but for the first time since it opened in 1972, OCCC now has an official nickname – the Trailblazers.
In an email sent to students on Aug. 12, OCCC said the nickname and mascot was selected “after years of student input, campus-wide voting and community feedback.”
“Our new mascot reflects who we are and where we’re going – and you’ll see the mascot showing up across campus and online as a new way to connect, represent and celebrate OCCC,” the email read.
The mascot appears to be a goose that’s rosewood red with a white area on its face. The goose is wearing a dark gold shirt with “OCCC” on the chest, along with dark gold shoes and white shorts. Rosewood red, dark gold and white are three of the school’s colors.
OCCC is the fifth-largest higher-education institution in Oklahoma, with about 11,500 students enrolled in fall 2024.
TSET encourages schools to apply for health grants
The state’s Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust has new guidelines for TSET Healthy Incentive Grants for Schools, given to Oklahoma schools looking to support healthier environments and reduce preventable disease.
TSET says all Oklahoma school districts are encouraged to apply for the Healthy Incentive Grants, including those that received funding in previous years. The revised program resets eligibility and introduces several key changes, including a simplified single award category, updated funding limits to up to $80,000 for school districts and a new online application platform.
Schools can use grant funds for wellness projects such as hydration stations, walking tracks and playground equipment.
A Noble cause
The Noble Public Schools Foundation is bringing back a unique fundraising program, as its “Art Off the Wall” showcase will be held on Dec. 5 at Noble High School. The foundation is asking Oklahoma artists to donate original works, no matter the medium, to benefit classroom grants. Art will be showcased for auction or sold in a gallery. Interested artists are invited to register by Nov. 3. Tickets for the showcase will go on sale Oct. 1 on the foundation’s website. The first “Art Off the Wall” event in 2023 drew more than 80 attendees and raised nearly $14,000 to fund classroom grants, making it the highest single-event fundraiser in the foundation’s history.