Tulsa Pubic Schools is a pilot site for the Oklahoma Scholars program.
The Tulsa Metro Chamber, in partnership with Tulsa Public Schools, launched an aggressive education program called Oklahoma Scholars. The program encourages eighth grade students to enroll in a highly rigorous curriculum in high school, thus better preparing them for success in the workforce.
“A high school diploma is no longer a ticket to a job,” said Susan Harris, vice president of the Chamber’s Community Betterment division. “Today’s workforce requires high-skilled employees, and our graduates must be prepared for post-secondary education if they want to remain competitive.”
The program was initiated with eight graders across the district in 2004. Therefore, the first class to graduate within TPS as Oklahoma Scholars will be the class of 2008.
Students participating in the Oklahoma Scholars Course of Study receive incentives throughout their high school career in order to encourage them to continue the Scholars coursework. Those who complete the program earn special recognition at graduation. In Texas and Arkansas, students in the Scholars program have achieved higher ACT and SAT scores, take fewer remedial courses at the college level, and demonstrate better college completion rates.
The implementation of Oklahoma Scholars in Tulsa Public Schools will continue in early spring. Business leaders present the program to eighth grade students by demonstrating a real-world monthly budget based on a $28,000 per year salary. Students actively participate in the discussion, and are typically shocked to realize they have no money left at the end of the month for clothing and entertainment. The presentation illustrates that the job that they acquire supports their lifestyle, and their career possibilities are directly linked to the training or education they receive when they graduate from high school.
Over 40 business representatives have completed the two-hour training session required to become a classroom presenter. The Chamber needs more presenters to help implement the program, and members of the business community are encouraged to volunteer.
The National Center for State Scholars used funds from the U.S. Department of Education to help business organizations around the country establish Scholars programs. The Oklahoma Business Education Coalition (OBEC) set up the program in Oklahoma, selecting Sand Springs and Tulsa Public Schools as two of four districts throughout the state to pilot the program. OBEC is governed by business leaders from around the state.
For more information about Oklahoma Scholars or to become a classroom presenter, call Melissa Torkleson at 560-0218 or email melissatorkleson@tulsachamber.com
Scholars Course of Study (pdf)
