Edmond Hockey School Not Authorized as Charter
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A hockey-themed charter school planning to open this fall in Edmond does not have authorization to operate, according to the state Education Department.
Public School’s Switch to Charter Allows Epic to Operate Rural District
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When a rural, southeastern Oklahoma school district was struggling and on the verge of closing, Epic Charter Schools stepped in. The deal, which expanded its “blended learning” presence beyond the two metro areas, allowed Epic to have the trappings of traditional public schools and receive a cut of the funds, as well as gain a toehold in rural Oklahoma.
Charter School Group Sues State Education Board Over Funding
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A pro-charter school group has sued the state Board of Education, claiming charter schools are inequitably funded. The lawsuit seeks access to additional funding sources that only school districts currently may receive.
Concerns Prompt New Law Revising How Virtual Schools Track Attendance
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Virtual charter schools will have to start tracking student attendance in accordance with a new law signed Friday by Gov. Mary Fallin. The proposal arose after Oklahoma Watch revealed last year that all five of Oklahoma’s virtual charter schools reported between 98 and 100 percent attendance last year. Two reported 100 percent.
Summer and After-School Programs Out of Reach for Many Parents
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When school’s out, in summer or afternoon, many parents face a struggle. Research shows that children without access to summer and after-school learning programs can suffer academically, but finding good, affordable ones is an arduous task. Oklahoma provides no state funding, and a federal program could be eliminated.
State Education Board Sponsors Second Charter School over Hofmeister’s Concerns
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A divided state Board of Education agreed by a 5-2 vote to sponsor a language immersion charter school in Norman, despite concerns raised by the state superintendent on the school’s likelihood to be successful.
At Epic Schools, Teacher Bonuses Soar While Student Achievement Lags
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Teachers at Epic Charter Schools can earn up to their base pay in bonuses, making them some of the highest-paid teachers in the state. But students at the virtual school often underperform their public-school peers.
For First Time, Virtual Charter School Board Votes to Close a School
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For the first time in its four-year history, the state board that oversees virtual charter schools has decided to shut down one of the schools, ABLE Charter School, citing a pattern of violations.
Fight over Epic’s California School Heats Up
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Oklahoma City-based Epic Charter Schools’ venture into California took shots from a local superintendent recently for what he called false promises and predatory practices.
The Risks of Breakneck Growth at State’s Largest Virtual School
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Epic Charter Schools is growing at lightning speed, which its leaders say is proof of its effectiveness. But the trend has raised questions about student turnover and evokes national concerns about the low academic performance of rapidly growing virtual charter schools.