Education Report Card Shows Oklahoma Is Barely Making The Grade

Local business leaders aren't surprised, but they are disappointed with the results of a new report card on education in Oklahoma.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce's 2014 edition of Leaders and Laggards judges state K-12 education systems, based on the needs and values of the business community.

The report card scored each state on 11 indicators, giving grades of A-F.

Oklahoma received three F's, in academic achievement, academic achievement of low-income and minority studentss, and international competitiveness.

The states best grades were two B's for teacher quality and fiscal responsibility.

All other grades were C's and D's, including a D in workforce readiness, which is a particular concern for local chamber of commerce officials. They say the state has to do a better job of growing and retaining talent.

"To do that, you have to have really, really great educational institutions," said Roy Williams, President of the Greater OKC Chamber of Commerce, "and this report shows we're not up to par, and we need to change that. I think that is really a call to action to our state legislature-- it's time to get on with this, and move us up to where we need to be."

Williams says, even though the Legislature allowed almost two years for the development of the standards to replace Common Core, it needs to be done now.

The report card did not give overall scores for each state or rank them, but it did grade states on how much improvement they've made since their first report card seven years ago. On that measure, Oklahoma got a C.