Tulsa Public Schools Presents Key Updates On Structural Changes To State Board

Tulsa Public Schools provided a new update to the Oklahoma Board of Education on Wednesday. It's been nearly a year since the Board voted to lower the accreditation status of TPS and district leaders are looking to highlight structural changes they have made to improve.

Wednesday, July 31st 2024, 6:24 am

By: News On 6

The Oklahoma Board of Education had a packed agenda on Wednesday discussing Bibles, immigration, and the Trump assassination attempt.

Tulsa Public Schools was also at the meeting to update the board on changes the district is making ahead of the new school year. Leaders with Tulsa Public Schools focused on the structural changes it has made to improve the district including a new executive leadership team, resources for teachers, and school organization.

According to the district's presentation on the State Department of Education website, schools will be organized into small learning networks to give them better direct support and coaching. Some of the changes that directly impact students include an increased focus on its "Attend to Win" initiative.

Superintendent Dr. Ebony Johnson said about 40 percent of students at TPS are chronically absent. The "Attend to Win" program ensures more kids come to school.

TPS also plans to enforce its existing cell phone policy, which states that elementary and middle school students must put their phones away for the day. Students in high school won't be able to access their phones during class time either unless it's being used for classroom purposes.

The district is also adding College and Career Counselors to every high school and every student in the district will get free breakfast and lunch this upcoming school year.