Latest news with #MoorePublicSchools
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Moore superintendent defends Oklahoma education system after No. 50 ranking in survey
The superintendent of one of Oklahoma's largest school districts has given an emphatic defense of the state's education system after a recently released survey ranked it 50th in the nation. Robert Romines, the superintendent of Moore Public Schools — Oklahoma's fifth-biggest district, with about 23,600 students — was speaking as part of a panel of superintendents during the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber's annual State of the Schools luncheon at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. The event on Wednesday, Aug. 6, brought together business and education leaders from across the metropolitan area, with one notable exception — state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters, whose name was not mentioned during 90 minutes of remarks. Featured speakers included new Oklahoma State University President Jim Hess and state Education Secretary Nellie Tayloe Sanders. The event also included a discussion with Romines, new Edmond Public Schools Superintendent Josh Delich and Oklahoma City Public Schools Superintendent Jamie Polk. Romines was asked about the Moore school district's new 'Bridges' program, which provides apartments for housing-insecure high school students. He talked about it, then launched into a criticism of a new survey by WalletHub, which placed Oklahoma above only New Mexico in its national ranking of education systems. 'I want everybody in the room, when you leave here, I want you to hear one thing, and I want to speak for Moore Public Schools,' Romines said. 'I don't want to speak for anybody else. But you won't hear the rhetoric of being 50th in the nation in regards to education. Please know that that score is not just indicative of one test score. It's about multiple things, and I want you to know if you're standing in the middle of Moore, America, and you do a 360, we are not 50th in the nation. 'We've got wonderful things and programs and initiatives going on, and I invite anybody to come in and sit down with me and discuss what we've got going on. … We literally are moving mountains and removing roadblocks for students.' Delich moved this summer to Edmond from Minnesota, where he held leadership roles with that state's two largest public school districts. He now is overseeing Oklahoma's fourth-largest district with about 25,700 students. He said during the presentation the vision of both the city and the school system was a major draw for him to come to Oklahoma. Afterward, he took a pragmatic approach to the WalletHub survey. 'I would tell you that ratings are ratings,' Delich said. 'There's a lot behind ratings that I don't necessarily know all of how we get to that. But any time you have those, the way I operate and the way we operate at Edmond Public Schools is saying, 'How do we turn whatever might be considered not so good into something great?' That's the approach that I use. So, to me, the rating is the rating. How do you take it and how do you make it even better for our students in Edmond, and even larger than that — Oklahoma itself?' More: Lawmakers say proposed state report card changes would unfairly punish schools Study ranked Oklahoma on ACT scores, dropout rates, and more The WalletHub survey ranked states in six categories — median ACT score, reading test scores, dropout rate, median SAT scores, math test scores and pupil-teacher ratio. The categories were scored based on 32 relevant metrics for each section. The state's worst category was its median ACT score, but that is deceptive, said state Rep. Dick Lowe, R-Amber, who is the chair of the Oklahoma House Common Education Committee. All Oklahoma students are required to take the ACT — even those who are not planning on attending college, which drags down the state's average score, Lowe said. 'You always have to look at what is the methodology of the (survey),' Lowe told The Oklahoman after the luncheon. 'I never want to look at one test, one result. I always said if you want a poll to say something, tell me what you want to say, and I'll get it written or you'll get it that way. Let's look at the outcomes of our students, and that's not just the test scores. Are we putting students out there to work? Are we getting them ready for their career, to get in the workplace? That is our key and that's what we continue to work on.' The chair of the state Senate Education Committee, Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, when asked about Oklahoma's No. 50 ranking, said, 'We're not 50th. We're not 50th. It's that simple. WalletHub gets to determine our education rankings? I just don't believe that. 'It doesn't change anything. Every day we should show up and say, 'How can we be better?' That is true. I do that as a dad. I do that as a colleague in my business. I do that as a senator. Everybody should show up at their place of business, or in their personal lives, and say, 'How can I be better today?' … Regardless of the rankings, that doesn't change our mission — show up and educate kids to the best of our ability.' This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma superintendents defend education amid state's low rankings Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Reading Horizons Helps Highland East 8th Graders Gain On Average 2.5 Years of Reading Growth in Just One School Year
Breakthrough Literacy Gains Achieved with Reading Horizons® Elevate KAYSVILLE, Utah, May 28, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Highland East Junior High students, part of Moore Public Schools in Oklahoma, have made significant literacy gains, averaging an average 2.5 years of reading growth in a single academic year. These results come after several years of implementing Reading Horizons® Elevate, a structured literacy program grounded in the science of reading and designed for older students. Veteran educator Shelly Hankins, who has taught reading since 1999, was initially skeptical when first asked to implement the program. Today, after seeing remarkable gains in both student confidence and achievement, she describes the experience as "one of the most impactful years" of her teaching career. "Some students didn't even know all their letter sounds at the start of the year," said Hankins. "We started from the ground up. I ensured they understood why we were returning to basics—we were building the foundation so they could succeed in high school and beyond. Making it fun—with games and a little competition—gave them a reason to engage. The program provided the structure, and the students brought the energy." This year, 100% of the 8th-grade students in Shelly Hankins' reading class improved by at least 1.2 grade levels in reading proficiency, and most averaged 2.5 years of growth. One student, who began the year reading at a 5.6 reading level, progressed to an 11th-grade level—a gain of over five grade levels by year's end. Hankins' implementation of Reading Horizons Elevate involved: Daily small-group instruction Fluency passages and independent reading to build stamina A structured "proving" method for decoding multisyllabic words These practices helped students grow academically and emotionally, boosting their confidence and independence as readers. Science-Backed Instruction with Real Results Reading Horizons® Elevate supports students in grades 4–12 who need targeted instruction in foundational reading skills, including decoding, phonics, and fluency. Grounded in the science of reading research, the program offers explicit, systematic instruction in flexible formats, including teacher-led, blended, and intervention settings. Across the country, educators use Reading Horizons Elevate across diverse learning environments from general education to special education, multilingual, and alternative education programs. "Shelly's success is exactly what we designed Elevate to deliver—real, measurable growth for older learners with skill gaps, and the support educators need to drive that growth," said Trisha Thomas, President at Reading Horizons. The growth seen within this class of 8th graders reflects not only the strength of the program but also the dedication of Shelly Hankins and the Highland East administration. Their shared commitment to evidence-based instructional practices continues to strengthen academic outcomes and expand opportunities for all learners. It's a powerful way to close the school year—marking a strong finish —for the school and students. For more information, explore how this achievement came to life in the classroom by exploring an in-depth Q&A with educator Shelly Hankins: "How One Junior High Teacher Led Her 8th Grade Students to an Average 2.5-Year Reading Gain This Year." About Reading Horizons For over 40 years, Reading Horizons® has equipped educators to eradicate illiteracy with innovative, tech-enabled foundational reading instruction. By aligning with the latest research in the science of reading, it supports educators, schools, and students with effective literacy solutions. Learn more about K–12 foundational literacy solutions and join the Science of Reading Collective, a collaborative space where educators share best practices and engage in meaningful discussions on literacy instruction. About Moore Public Schools Moore Public Schools is the fourth-largest district in Oklahoma, serving 24,500+ students and their families. MPS operates 25 elementary schools, six junior highs, three high schools, and one alternative school site. Learn more about MPS at View source version on Contacts Media Inquiries:Kelley K. (801) 368.1183 Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Reading Horizons Helps Highland East 8th Graders Gain On Average 2.5 Years of Reading Growth in Just One School Year
Breakthrough Literacy Gains Achieved with Reading Horizons® Elevate KAYSVILLE, Utah, May 28, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Highland East Junior High students, part of Moore Public Schools in Oklahoma, have made significant literacy gains, averaging an average 2.5 years of reading growth in a single academic year. These results come after several years of implementing Reading Horizons® Elevate, a structured literacy program grounded in the science of reading and designed for older students. Veteran educator Shelly Hankins, who has taught reading since 1999, was initially skeptical when first asked to implement the program. Today, after seeing remarkable gains in both student confidence and achievement, she describes the experience as "one of the most impactful years" of her teaching career. "Some students didn't even know all their letter sounds at the start of the year," said Hankins. "We started from the ground up. I ensured they understood why we were returning to basics—we were building the foundation so they could succeed in high school and beyond. Making it fun—with games and a little competition—gave them a reason to engage. The program provided the structure, and the students brought the energy." This year, 100% of the 8th-grade students in Shelly Hankins' reading class improved by at least 1.2 grade levels in reading proficiency, and most averaged 2.5 years of growth. One student, who began the year reading at a 5.6 reading level, progressed to an 11th-grade level—a gain of over five grade levels by year's end. Hankins' implementation of Reading Horizons Elevate involved: Daily small-group instruction Fluency passages and independent reading to build stamina A structured "proving" method for decoding multisyllabic words These practices helped students grow academically and emotionally, boosting their confidence and independence as readers. Science-Backed Instruction with Real Results Reading Horizons® Elevate supports students in grades 4–12 who need targeted instruction in foundational reading skills, including decoding, phonics, and fluency. Grounded in the science of reading research, the program offers explicit, systematic instruction in flexible formats, including teacher-led, blended, and intervention settings. Across the country, educators use Reading Horizons Elevate across diverse learning environments from general education to special education, multilingual, and alternative education programs. "Shelly's success is exactly what we designed Elevate to deliver—real, measurable growth for older learners with skill gaps, and the support educators need to drive that growth," said Trisha Thomas, President at Reading Horizons. The growth seen within this class of 8th graders reflects not only the strength of the program but also the dedication of Shelly Hankins and the Highland East administration. Their shared commitment to evidence-based instructional practices continues to strengthen academic outcomes and expand opportunities for all learners. It's a powerful way to close the school year—marking a strong finish —for the school and students. For more information, explore how this achievement came to life in the classroom by exploring an in-depth Q&A with educator Shelly Hankins: "How One Junior High Teacher Led Her 8th Grade Students to an Average 2.5-Year Reading Gain This Year." About Reading Horizons For over 40 years, Reading Horizons® has equipped educators to eradicate illiteracy with innovative, tech-enabled foundational reading instruction. By aligning with the latest research in the science of reading, it supports educators, schools, and students with effective literacy solutions. Learn more about K–12 foundational literacy solutions and join the Science of Reading Collective, a collaborative space where educators share best practices and engage in meaningful discussions on literacy instruction. About Moore Public Schools Moore Public Schools is the fourth-largest district in Oklahoma, serving 24,500+ students and their families. MPS operates 25 elementary schools, six junior highs, three high schools, and one alternative school site. Learn more about MPS at View source version on Contacts Media Inquiries:Kelley K. (801) 368.1183
Business Wire
28-05-2025
- Science
- Business Wire
Reading Horizons Helps Highland East 8th Graders Gain On Average 2.5 Years of Reading Growth in Just One School Year
KAYSVILLE, Utah--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Highland East Junior High students, part of Moore Public Schools in Oklahoma, have made significant literacy gains, averaging an average 2.5 years of reading growth in a single academic year. These results come after several years of implementing Reading Horizons® Elevate, a structured literacy program grounded in the science of reading and designed for older students. 100% of the 8th-grade students in Shelly Hankins's reading class improved by at least 1.2 grade levels in reading proficiency, and most averaged 2.5 years of growth. Veteran educator Shelly Hankins, who has taught reading since 1999, was initially skeptical when first asked to implement the program. Today, after seeing remarkable gains in both student confidence and achievement, she describes the experience as 'one of the most impactful years' of her teaching career. 'Some students didn't even know all their letter sounds at the start of the year,' said Hankins. 'We started from the ground up. I ensured they understood why we were returning to basics—we were building the foundation so they could succeed in high school and beyond. Making it fun—with games and a little competition—gave them a reason to engage. The program provided the structure, and the students brought the energy.' This year, 100% of the 8th-grade students in Shelly Hankins' reading class improved by at least 1.2 grade levels in reading proficiency, and most averaged 2.5 years of growth. One student, who began the year reading at a 5.6 reading level, progressed to an 11th-grade level—a gain of over five grade levels by year's end. Hankins' implementation of Reading Horizons Elevate involved: Daily small-group instruction Fluency passages and independent reading to build stamina A structured 'proving' method for decoding multisyllabic words These practices helped students grow academically and emotionally, boosting their confidence and independence as readers. Science-Backed Instruction with Real Results Reading Horizons® Elevate supports students in grades 4–12 who need targeted instruction in foundational reading skills, including decoding, phonics, and fluency. Grounded in the science of reading research, the program offers explicit, systematic instruction in flexible formats, including teacher-led, blended, and intervention settings. Across the country, educators use Reading Horizons Elevate across diverse learning environments from general education to special education, multilingual, and alternative education programs. 'Shelly's success is exactly what we designed Elevate to deliver—real, measurable growth for older learners with skill gaps, and the support educators need to drive that growth,' said Trisha Thomas, President at Reading Horizons. The growth seen within this class of 8th graders reflects not only the strength of the program but also the dedication of Shelly Hankins and the Highland East administration. Their shared commitment to evidence-based instructional practices continues to strengthen academic outcomes and expand opportunities for all learners. It's a powerful way to close the school year—marking a strong finish —for the school and students. For more information, explore how this achievement came to life in the classroom by exploring an in-depth Q&A with educator Shelly Hankins: ' How One Junior High Teacher Led Her 8th Grade Students to an Average 2.5-Year Reading Gain This Year.' About Reading Horizons For over 40 years, Reading Horizons® has equipped educators to eradicate illiteracy with innovative, tech-enabled foundational reading instruction. By aligning with the latest research in the science of reading, it supports educators, schools, and students with effective literacy solutions. Learn more about K–12 foundational literacy solutions and join the Science of Reading Collective, a collaborative space where educators share best practices and engage in meaningful discussions on literacy instruction. About Moore Public Schools Moore Public Schools is the fourth-largest district in Oklahoma, serving 24,500+ students and their families. MPS operates 25 elementary schools, six junior highs, three high schools, and one alternative school site. Learn more about MPS at
