By Bailey Coyle, FOX23.com News Staff
TULSA, Okla. — Tulsa Public Schools is starting the new school year with a focus on academic growth, improving attendance and preparing students for several changes coming to Oklahoma classrooms.
TPS Superintendent Ebony Johnson says the district is seeing progress in student performance, with the latest state testing data showing students trending in the right direction for the third consecutive year.
Johnson praised students, teachers and school leaders for their work on the Oklahoma School Testing Program assessments.
One area showing significant improvement is fifth-grade science, where Johnson says TPS saw more than an 8% increase.
She says the district’s focus on using data to guide instruction, reteach concepts, and provide additional support is helping drive those gains.
Chronic absenteeism drops
Attendance will remain a major priority for TPS this school year.
Johnson says the district reduced its chronic absenteeism rate by between 5% and 6% over the past year.
She credits families, students and schools for working together to get students in the classroom more consistently.
The district is also focused on providing additional intervention for students who need extra academic support while giving advanced students opportunities to work beyond their grade level.
Preparing for third-grade reading law
TPS is also preparing for changes tied to Oklahoma’s third-grade reading retention law.
Johnson says the district has the 2026-27 school year to prepare before the new requirements take effect the following school year.
The district is working with the state and participating in a pilot program through the Oklahoma State Chamber to learn best practices for preparing students and families.
Johnson says TPS is using this year to prepare curriculum, communication materials and other resources so students have the foundational reading skills they need before entering fourth grade.
Cell phone restrictions already in place
TPS is also beginning the school year with experience enforcing restrictions on student cell phone use.
Johnson says the district began implementing its own protocols before the statewide law took effect, allowing schools to test different approaches and establish expectations.
She says the district has generally seen success, with only isolated issues reported.
Johnson says relationships between students, teachers and administrators have been key to making the policy work.
40 minutes of recess
Students will also have more time for physical activity this school year under Oklahoma’s new recess requirements.
Johnson says TPS already had enough time built into the school day to accommodate 40 minutes of recess, although fitting in all required instructional minutes, restroom breaks and other activities will be challenging.
She says teachers and school leaders have been working on schedules to make the additional recess time work.
District faces $12 million in additional cuts
While the new school year brings optimism, TPS is also facing financial challenges.
Johnson says the district already cut approximately $6 million to $7 million in district-office staffing during the past year.
Now, the district has been directed to identify another roughly $12 million in cuts.
Johnson says the goal is to make those reductions while protecting the quality of education students receive in classrooms.
The district is also preparing for new funding and bond-related projects, including work involving career academies, driver’s education, HVAC systems, parking lots and school uniforms.
New focus on conflict resolution
TPS is also rolling out a districtwide initiative encouraging students to stop, think, and seek help before reacting to conflicts.
Johnson says the goal is to reduce situations that could lead to fights, suspensions or more serious consequences.
Students will see posters and other materials encouraging them to seek help from adults or peers when they are frustrated or dealing with conflict.
Johnson says the approach is designed to be age-appropriate, particularly for younger students who are still learning how to manage emotions and solve problems.
As students return to classrooms Monday, Johnson says the district’s focus remains on academic growth, attendance and creating schools where students can learn, grow and thrive.
