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The U.S. Department of Education found much room for improvement in a recent review of the Oklahoma Department of Education’s handling of federal funds.

The performance review, dated July 25, covered a dozen federal grant programs in 2023, totaling over $2.7 billion in the just-completed fiscal year. The total includes one-time COVID-19 relief funds of over $2.3 billion.

Oklahoma received the lowest mark (action required) in 32 of the 52 categories measured; in 7 areas the department received recommendations; in 11 areas the department met requirements; and in two, they received a commendation.

The review took place in December — 12 months after Ryan Walters took over as head of the agency.

Reviewers raised concerns with late audits, missing records, and miscalculated data, including for state graduation rates and low-performing schools (which receive extra funding and support). For many of the areas requiring action, the federal agency gave the state 3o or 60 days to provide documentation, make corrective action or update its procedures.

The report follows a week of revelations of financial problems at the agency, over school security grants, delayed maternity leave payments, Title 1 allocations, and a new investigation by the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency. But, for context, other states including New Mexico and Florida had similar, or even worse, recent federal performance reviews.

Questions, comments, story tips? Please reach out via email or direct message.

— Jennifer Palmer

Recommended Reading

• Top Republican leaders, including Governor Kevin Stitt, met with Superintendent Ryan Walters in an effort to tone his rhetoric down and get to the bottom of recent school funding issues. Soon after, Walters held an emotional and angry press conference during which he challenged the House to impeach him. [The Oklahoman]
• Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued an opinion confirming lawmakers’ right to attend executive sessions at board meetings. At the July Board of Education meeting, three lawmakers wanting to attend were barred. [KOSU]
• Students are still struggling four years after the COVID-19 pandemic began. New data from three assessment companies paint a grim picture of where U.S. children are academically. [The Hechinger Report]

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