The recent revelation that U.S. News and World Report’s annual rankings of Oklahoma high schools were skewed due to missing data has sparked concern among state leaders and educators. The Oklahoma State Department of Education failed to provide key information to the publication, leading to significant changes in the rankings for 2023 and 2024.
Governor Kevin Stitt expressed the importance of transparency and accuracy in showcasing Oklahoma schools, stating that any oversights should be corrected promptly. Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat and House Speaker Charles McCall also voiced their concerns about the situation, with Treat questioning the impact of staff reductions at the Education Department on data submission.
U.S. News and World Report highlighted that Oklahoma was one of only two states, along with Maine, that did not provide permission to use Advanced Placement data in the rankings. This led to a drastic decrease in the number of schools ranking in the top 25% nationally, affecting schools like Classen School of Advanced Studies in Oklahoma City.
The lack of AP data also impacted larger schools and districts, causing significant drops in their rankings. Education Department spokesman Dan Isett attributed the issue to a potential mail delivery problem, while also criticizing media reports for allegedly targeting former Superintendent Joy Hofmeister.
Moving forward, the Education Department has assured that data has been submitted for future rankings, aiming to avoid similar discrepancies in the future. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of accurate data reporting in evaluating the quality of education in Oklahoma.