By Dr. Rebecca Wilkinson
As we celebrate School Choice Week in Oklahoma from Jan. 26-Feb. 1, we should recognize the challenges many Oklahoma students face in accessing high-quality schools. Charter schools provide a vital alternative to traditional public schools, offering options for families who might otherwise have no choice but to attend underperforming district schools. In Oklahoma, charter schools are the primary vehicle for school choice, and we need more of them.
A Harvard University study released in late 2023 ranked Oklahoma charter schools in the top 10 in the nation for academic performance and narrowing achievement gaps between white, Black, and Hispanic students. Remarkably, they achieved these results while receiving about 30 percent less funding than traditional public schools and zero access to local bond election funds for building, buying, or maintaining school facilities.
A common misconception about school choice is that it drains resources from traditional public schools. This isn't true. Oklahoma charter schools operate with fewer financial resources while still meeting the same state standards for accountability, transparency, and academic performance. This dynamic creates healthy competition that encourages both charter and district-run schools to innovate and improve, benefiting all students. Charter schools are not a threat to public education but rather a rising tide that uplifts the entire system.
Another myth is school choice only benefits wealthy families. In Oklahoma, charter schools serve a diverse student body, of which a majority qualifies for free or reduced-price lunches. These schools offer specialized programs that provide underserved communities with meaningful opportunities to succeed and break the cycle of poverty.
The Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board will hold its inaugural conference to promote charter schools' role in fostering educational choice and improving quality across the state March 6-7. It will provide a platform for sharing insights on innovation, addressing challenges, and expanding charter school options for Oklahoma families. It will also focus on ways to expand charter schools to reduce waiting lists and give more children meaningful, high-quality choices. Charter school administrators, board members, and their traditional school counterparts can register for this free conference at our website.
School choice is about giving every child access to an education that prepares them for success. Although Oklahoma offers quality charter school options, there are too few of them, and too many barriers remain in place. During School Choice Week and throughout the year, we must acknowledge the vital role of charter schools in supporting student achievement and preparing students for an increasingly competitive, skills-driven workforce.
Dr. Rebecca Wilkinson is the executive director of the Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board and a former school superintendent.
