Jennifer Palmer of Oklahoma Watch

Ryan Walters’ pursuit of an Edmond teacher’s certification exemplifies his priority is to score cheap political points, constitution be damned.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt vetoed limits on spending on public relations by State Superintendent Ryan Walters but instead issued a broader executive order stopping state agencies from sole-source contracts for public relations. It’s unclear if that executive order would not apply to any contracts the state Education Department has for public relations that were under scrutiny by lawmakers.

The size of the scandal alleged at the state’s largest online school befits the school’s name: epic.

The Oklahoma Department of Education hired Vought Strategies, a communications firm in Arlington, Virginia, to write speeches and op-eds and book Walters on at least 10 national TV and radio appearances per month. Some are questioning whether Walters is simply boosting his national profile at the public’s expense.

Stillwater Public Schools settled a lawsuit over teacher Alberto Morejon, who was convicted for sexting a student, but would not disclose details of the agreement.

An Oklahoma Watch investigation last year revealed a pervasive culture of harassment at an elite Oklahoma high school. The agency responsible for addressing those issues dropped the ball on performing inspections for 16 years.

The Oklahoma State Department of Education overpaid at least $290,000 in teacher bonuses and is working to claw back the money mere months after it was distributed. Nine teachers have been issued demands for repayment, and five additional teachers are under review.

Opportunities for A.P. classes, which give students a leg up in college admissions, are lacking in rural high schools. A new law aims to address the divide.

After the first round of certain federal COVID-era education funds for Oklahoma ended in chaos, the second round is being handled with significantly more oversight. StateImpact’s Beth Wallis sat down with Oklahoma Watch education reporter Jennifer Palmer to talk through what this new money is being used for, who’s managing it — and who’s not.

Signing bonuses of as much as $50,000 are what Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters said is needed to attract new and retired teachers to the classroom. That’s also what makes his new bonus plan a risky policy.