Tulsa Area Reps Celebrate Progress in Tulsa Public Schools
OKLAHOMA CITY – Reps. Chris Banning, R-Bixby, Mark Tedford, R-Jenks, Mike Lay, R-Jenks, and Rob Hall, R-Tulsa, issued a joint statement Tuesday following the announcement that 13 Tulsa Public Schools have officially exited federal school improvement designations. The schools were removed from the Continuous School Improvement (CSI) list or the Most Rigorous Intervention list, both of which are part of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act. The designations are updated on a three-year cycle and identify schools in need of targeted support based on factors such as academic performance and graduation rates. “We commend the incredible progress made by the students, educators and families at Tulsa Public Schools,” the representatives said in a joint statement. “This kind of growth takes time, hard work and a lot of heart. These 13 schools have shown what’s possible when everyone is committed to moving forward together.” “This is more than a milestone — it’s a moment of pride for our entire community,” they continued. “We’ve seen students rise to the occasion, educators go above and beyond and families stay engaged every step of the way. We’re excited to see where this momentum leads and we’ll continue supporting efforts that keep Tulsa schools on the path to success.” Unity Learning Academy, Edison Middle School, Tulsa MET High School, and 10 other campuses met the criteria to exit the federal lists, either by making significant academic gains or maintaining strong progress since a January 2024 update. Several schools that met early exit criteria opted to continue receiving support under their CSI status, demonstrating a sustained commitment to improvement. “These results show what’s possible when schools, families, and communities work together,” the representatives said. “We applaud the leadership at each of these schools and the work being done across Tulsa to improve outcomes for students.” The legislators continue to support efforts that drive academic achievement and ensure every Oklahoma student has access to a quality education.