The state Department of Education released Oklahoma’s annual A-F report cards Thursday, and State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister says the school accountability system is deeply flawed, and a waste of money.
Proponents hoped it would motivate schools to improve, but it's been a contentious issue since it went into effect three years ago.
Search The Report Cards By County, District, Or School
By law, schools in Oklahoma are given a grade – A through F – based on student test scores and other data. But according to Hofmeister, these grades are no good.
“You can have a B, and still have a 60 percent graduation rate in your school,” Hofmeister said. “Something is wrong with that picture.”
Here’s a quick breakdown of the grades:
- A 212 schools
- B 497 schools
- C 536 schools
- D 333 schools
- F 183 schools
Compare that to the 2014-2015 schools:
- A 284 schools
- B 470 schools
- C 492 schools
- D 292 schools
- F 196 schools
Board of Education members were hesitant to certify the grades Thursday, but did so, because they’re required to by law. Members requested that Hofmeister publish the grades with a caveat – saying beware, this system has issues. The OSDE said even the federal Department of Education criticized the report cards, as well as the modifications required to receive the No Child Left Behind waiver.
Researchers from the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University are looking for ways to improve the system. Hofmeister will make recommendations to the legislature this upcoming session.
