Andrea Eger

Oklahoma lawmakers are celebrating record education funding, but the state still ranks 49th in per-pupil spending nationally and last among surrounding states. Despite recent increases, Oklahoma remains roughly $1 billion short of the regional average spending level, and teacher pay continues to lag behind neighboring states by thousands of dollars annually.

According to new data research, Oklahoma is falling short of more than 40 other states in getting more stopouts working-age adults who paused college with the intention of getting back on track toward graduation.

A new national report ranks Oklahoma fifth in preschool access for 4-year-olds, but researchers say public awareness needs to be heightened to help restore the program’s reach to prepandemic levels.