An interim study proposed by Rep. Rob Hall of Tulsa on Charter Schools' Facility Funding and Authorization has been approved and will take place at the state Capitol on Oct. 8 at 9 a.m. in Room 450. I encourage all charter leaders to either attend and interact with decisionmakers following the study or watch the proceedings online and subsequently provide any feedback to lawmakers that they may have on the main topics.

In addition to studying how charter schools are authorized in Oklahoma, the interim study aims to identify the obstacles for charter schools to have quality learning facilities, which, Rep. Hall accurately indicated in his proposal for this interim study, is the primary obstacle to charter school proliferation and success in our state. The study's proposal indicates discussion will explore "steps lawmakers could take in regard to charter facilities including credit enhancement programs, matching funds, dedicated funding or grants, tax-exempt bonds, access to public space and other possible solutions."

Until next time ...

Dr. Rebecca Wilkinson

Executive Director

Oklahoma Charters Make Top 10 ... Again

Just as Harvard University did approximately a year ago, the Center for Education Reform (CER) ranks Oklahoma 10^th in the nation when it comes to charters, innovation and choice. CER graded the state “B” overall and awarded A's to only two states: Arizona and Florida. Arizona has among the nation’s top-performing charter schools and Florida has enacted creative legislation to help strengthen charters and ensure all students have improved access, including letting charters occupy traditional school district facilities. To access the state-by-state rankings and for more information, visit the Center for Education Reform.

Center for Education Reform Rankings

2026 Charter Conference Date, Location Set

Save the date because the date and location of the second annual Oklahoma Charter Schools Conference has been set for Wednesday, November 4, 2026, and Thursday, November 5, 2026, at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Convention Center in Norman!

The SCSB wishes to annualize its annual conference for charter schools to be held each fall and prior to the legislative session. That is why the second annual conference is being held more than 12 months from the previous conference. However, as with our first annual conference this past spring, the conference will be open to all, free, and inclusive of meals thanks to the generosity of sponsors, which we hope to triple in 2026. The SCSB also aims to provide the ability for school board members to earn up to 12 hours of training credit by attending the entire conference

Be on the lookout in early 2026 for details regarding the room block at the conference hotel and a request for proposals from individuals or organizations who would like to present at the conference.

Interested in being a sponsor for the 2026 conference? Contact Shelly Hickman at shelly.hickman@scsb.ok.gov.

Meeting laws, artificial intelligence subjects

of upcoming free trainings

October 13: Statewide Charter School Board meeting at 1 p.m. at the Oklahoma History Center. Agenda and livestream to be posted HERE.

October 23: Top 10 Ways Boards Violate Open Records & Open Meetings Acts. Online, live training from noon to 1 p.m. and approved for one-hour training credit for board members in Open Records Act & Open Meeting Act. REGISTER NOW

November 10: Statewide Charter School Board meeting at 1 p.m. at the Oklahoma History Center. Agenda and livestream to be posted HERE.

November 20: AI in Education: Practical Tools for Teaching, Leading and the Future of Learning. Approved for one-hour training credit for board members. REGISTER NOW

Demand and we will supply it

Since July the SCSB has scheduled a monthly Lunch and Learn on a timely, relevant topic for school board members and charter administrators and leaders. These sessions are free, live, online and always held at noon for no more than one hour. Each also have been approved by the State Department of Education (OSDE) for school board member training credit.

We have had hundreds register for our first three sessions and aim to expand participation in the coming months. We need to know two things from our readers: Is there a training topic that you desire we add to our line-up and is there a topic that you would like to lead yourself and work with us to get approved for training credit from OSDE? Give us your feedback by emailing info@scsb.ok.gov.

Help expand our charter community's reach

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