Frequently Asked Questions

The ELPAC is an English Learner Parent Advisory Committee. ELPAC members are parents and guardians of English Learner students enrolled in Tulsa Public Schools. The group meets regularly to:

• Give the district input on topics that are important to English learners.
• Learn more about the district, services and programs available, and ways to support their children's education.

Parents and guardians of English learner students are welcome to join our ELPAC.

ELPAC members meet with district teams on the last Thursday of every month from 5:30-6:30pm. They talk about topics that are important to English learners in Tulsa Public Schools and give the district feedback and input to:

• Improve the opportunities and services provided to English learners.
• Communicate and engage effectively with families of English learners.
• Create programs and opportunities that will help English learners be successful in Tulsa Public Schools.

They provide the district with feedback and insight from the parent perspective on processes, programs, and initiatives to ensure that the voice of English learner students and their families are involved in the district.

ELPAC members serve as an advisory group that makes recommendations, encourages brainstorming, and provides opportunities for parent involvement.

By participating in the ELPAC, you will provide a voice to support your student’s growth and achievements in their educational experience and engage in a strong partnership between Tulsa Public Schools and families of English learner students.

No. ELPAC members come from diverse backgrounds, cultures and speak different languages. We offer interpretation during ELPAC meetings and request that parents register ahead of time to request the needed language so that we can make arrangements.

To report a student or school safety concern, please call 918-480-SAFE or use the online reporting system, TIPS. Threat Assessment, Incident Management and Prevention Services (TIPS) is an online system for students and parents to report potential threats to the safety of students and staff, including:

• weapons possession
• drug/alcohol use
• bullying harassment or intimidation
• school vandalism
• physical assault
• threats of violence
• suicide risk
• abuse or neglect
• other incidents

*Reports may be made anonymously

Parent/teacher conferences are held twice a year at each school site. These conferences provide one-on-one time between parents and teachers to discuss their child's academic, behavioral, and social progress in school. Conferences are a time to air concerns from parents or teachers and to formulate a plan to help the student improve or continue to succeed. 

Before the conference:

• Talk to your child how they feel about school.
• Ask your child if there is anything that they want you to talk about with the teacher.
• Write down any questions you may have.

Some questions to ask at the conference:

• Does my child participate in class?
• Does my child seem happy at school?
• What are my child’s strongest and weakest subjects?
• How does my child get along with other students?
• What can I do at home to help?

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Tulsa Public Schools! Our mission is to provide a safe environment for all students and staff members. Please fill out the volunteer form below, sign it, and return it to the principal at the site you wish to volunteer. 

Volunteer form - English
Volunteer form - Spanish

Tulsa Public Schools hosts student opportunity fairs for high school students and their families to:

• learn about options after high school
• help with FAFSA forms
• sign up for Tulsa Tech
• enroll in the Tulsa Achieves program at Tulsa Community College
• apply for Oklahoma's Promise  
• learn about Workforce Tulsa

Community Assets Map

View our comprehensive map of community resources.

Local food pantries

Tulsa OK Food Pantries helps find local pantries, soup kitchens, food shelves, food banks and other food help.

Parenting workshops

Oklahoma's University for Parents (OK-UP) educates and assists families as they strengthen parent-child relationships and build positive parenting skills. During the workshop a light meal and childcare is available. OSU-Tulsa partners with Tulsa Public Schools, Catholic Charities, Teach Not Punish (TNP) and Greenwood Cultural Center to provide these workshops.

Visit Oklahoma's University for Parents to view and register for upcoming workshops.

Career training opportunities

CareerAdvance® provides free career training program that offers coaching, education, training and job opportunities for families with young children.

• Train for high-demand healthcare careers
• No cost for tuition, books or childcare
• Most certificates earned in 18 weeks or fewer
• Career coaching and connections to local employers

Learn more and register to attend a session at CAP Tulsa - CareerAdvance or 918-900-2551.

Helpful documents

TPS DHS Joint Consideration for School Enrollment and Success for Children

Foster Care Guidance

Youth Transition Toolkit

Best Interest Form-DHS Placement

It is important that your child's teachers and school leaders have an opportunity to hear your concerns and help come to a resolution, so your first step to is set up a meeting with the teacher or principal. Remember that there are two sides to every story so try to assume best intentions in your discussion of the concerns. If - after speaking to the teacher and principal - you feel that the concern is not resolved, contact the Student and Parent Advocacy office at 918-746-6457.

To receive Indian Education services, students must first be enrolled in Tulsa Public Schools. Then, the student's parent/guardian must complete a 506 form and return it to the Indian Education office. You must also provide the student’s tribal membership card.

Yes, multi-racial students can qualify for Indian Education services.  Be sure to check the “I” for American Indian along with any other race(s) your child may identify with when filling out enrollment forms.

The Indian Education department offers several services to our enrolled students. Services include basic school supplies, cultural activities, after school tutoring, and site-based tutoring at certain schools (Bell, Hamilton, Hoover, and Skelly).

School supplies may be picked up Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 4:00pm at the Indian Education office. 

Tulsa Public Schools Indian Education
7635 East 42nd Place
Tulsa, OK 74145

The Indian Education programs at Tulsa Public Schools are made possible by two federally funded grants – Title VI and Johnson O’Malley (JOM).  These grants provide educational services and supplemental programs to students with Native American heritage.

• Our transportation field coordinators drive throughout the district to check road conditions.
• Our operations team monitors weather patterns and consults with the National Weather Service, Tulsa Area Emergency Management Agency, and the City of Tulsa.
• Our chief operations officer makes a recommendation to the superintendent, and the superintendent makes the final decision about inclement weather closures or delays.

• To ensure the safety of students and meet the needs of working parents, we will not close schools early.
• Parents may pick up their child(ren) early from school. (see Regulation 2117‑R: Student Pickup During the School Day)
• We announce cancelation of evening events through the website, social media, phone call and/or text message, and local media.

Starting this school year, we began using SchoolMessenger to keep our team and families updated on district news. SchoolMessenger will give us the ability to contact you by both phone and text message in the event of emergency weather closings and delayed starts. Make sure your contact information is correct with our enrollment center and then text "Yes" to 67587 to stay in the loop!

TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS Regulation 3315-R: 
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

College Preparatory/Work-Ready Curriculum

Classification
To be classified as a sophomore, a student must have earned six (6) units. To be classified as a junior, a student must have earned twelve (12) units. To be classified as a senior, a student must have earned eighteen (18) units.

Graduation Requirements
All Tulsa Public School students must meet the district’s graduation requirements which may be higher than the state’s ACE (College Preparatory/Work-Ready Curriculum) and the state’s Core Curriculum graduation plans. TPS requirements have been added to the following plans. Students graduating on the core curriculum plan must have a signed opt-out letter on file at the school.

Graduates Beginning with the Class of 2019
TOTAL UNITS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION: 23 UNITS
 

English: 4 units
English I: Grammar & Comp.
English II: World Literature
English III: American Literature
English IV: British Literature
English I: Grammar & Comp.
English II: World Literature
English III: American Literature
English IV: British Literature

Social Studies: 3 units
9th Grade: U.S. Government ½ unit, Oklahoma History, ½ unit
10th Grade: World History, 1 unit
11th Grade: U.S. History, 1 unit
U.S. Government ½ unit, Oklahoma History, ½ unit

U.S. History: 1 unit
1 additional social studies unit

Science: 3 units
*A physical science (such as Physical Science, Chemistry, or Physics)
Biology I
One additional unit above Biology
*Three units of laboratory science including:

• A physical science (such as Physical Science, Chemistry, or Physics)
• Biology I
• One additional unit above Biology

Mathematics: 3 units earned in High School (If Algebra I is taken in Middle School, the student must take 3 additional math units above Algebra I in High School to meet the 3-unit requirement.)

• Algebra I
• Geometry
• One additional approved Mathematics unit above Algebra I
• Algebra I
• Geometry
• One additional approved Mathematics unit above Algebra I

Computer Technology: 2 units
OR
World Language: 2 units of the same language

Fine Arts: 2 units

Physical Education: 1 unit
Physical education, athletics, JROTC, marching band, or health

Electives: 6 units
ACE legislation requires one additional unit in one of the following areas: English, Social Studies, Science, Math, Computer Technology, or World Language. This course must be approved to meet college admission requirements.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION
In order to graduate from an Oklahoma high school, all students:

• Must earn 23 units, and take state or federal assessments as specified by district policy.
• And demonstrate proficiency on all fourteen (14) modules included in the state mandated Personal Financial Literacy curriculum 
• And receive training CPR.

Any student entering 9th grade in the fall of 2013 through the fall of 2016 (students of the graduation classes of 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020) must take all state assessments required by the State Board of Education in order to graduate. Alternatively, these students must take any nationally recognized high school test the District elects to use instead of the state assessments as authorized by federal law. The requirement to take the assessments in order to graduate is subject to all exemptions, conditions, and accommodations authorized by state or federal law.

Some high schools may have additional requirements to graduate.

* Physical Science, Physics, Physics Pre AP, Physics B AP, Physics C AP, Chemistry, Chemistry I Pre AP, Chemistry II, Chemistry AP, Environmental Chemistry, Earth Science/Geology, Astronomy, Forensics

PROMOTION, RETENTION, AND FAILING GRADES PASS/FAILURE

The Tulsa Public Schools Board of Education recognizes that the personal, social, physical, and  educational growth of children will vary and that they should be placed in the educational setting most appropriate to their developmental needs at the various stages of their growth.

Tulsa Public Schools District is committed to educational practices that are effective in enhancing the educational attainment of all students. Numerous studies have demonstrated that retention does not improve students’ chances for educational success. Therefore, the practice of retention will be used only when there is compelling evidence that the student is likely to benefit academically and/or socially.

It shall be the policy of the Board that each student be moved forward in a continuous pattern of achievement and growth that is in harmony with his/her own development. The best interest of the student will be the guiding philosophy for determining acceleration, promotion or retention while upholding requirements of state and federal laws.

A student will be promoted to the succeeding grade level when s/he has:

A. completed the course requirements or adapted personal curriculum at the presently assigned grade (at proficient levels)

B. in the judgment of the professional staff, achieved the instructional objective set for the present grade after reviewing numerous assessment instruments

C. demonstrated sufficient proficiency to permit him/her to move ahead in the educational program of the next grade (60% or above)

D. demonstrated the degree of social, emotional, and physical maturation necessary for a successful learning experience in the next grade or course level

The superintendent or designee shall develop administrative guidelines for promotion, placement, and retention of students which:

A.  ensure students who are falling seriously behind their peers or who may not be promoted, receive the special assistance they may need to achieve the academic outcomes of the District’s core curriculum;

B. in the judgment of the professional staff, achieved the instructional objectives set for the present grade after reviewing numerous assessment instruments;

C. require that parents are informed in advance, of the possibility of retention of a student at a grade level;

D. assure that efforts are made to remediate the student’s difficulties before s/he is retained with documentation;

E. assign to the principal, in consultation with instructional leadership director, the final responsibility for determining the promotion, placement, or retention of each student;

F. implement the Reading Sufficiency Act booklet requirements: Focused on Students Reading by Grade 3

G. parents may appeal a principal’s final decision to the superintendent or designee.

Please see your school counselor for more information, questions and/or concerns.

All of our students are unique and special in their own way. Some students manifest abilities significantly above the norm for their age. Your school counselor can work with the gifted teacher at your site to determine if your child would qualify for or benefit from the gifted and talented programs offered at Tulsa Public Schools.

Resources for parents of gifted and talented students:

Oklahoma Association for the Gifted, Creative, and Talented (OAGCT)

Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG)

National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC)

Initial assessments and screening are often provided at no cost.  Criteria for free assessments vary by agency.  Please contact the agency for details.  This is a partial list of agencies, please contact the office of Student and Family Support Services for an updated list.

DaySprings Community Services: 918-712-0859

Family and Children's Services: 918-587-94714

CREOKS: 918-382-7300

CRS: 918-492-2554

YouthCare of Oklahoma: 918-289-0550

Parkside: 918-588-8888

Youth Services of Tulsa: 918-582-0061

Hillcrest Behavioral Health: 918-579-1000

Learn more about supporting your child in learning.

Any student in grades pre-kindergarten through 12th grades can be a Tulsa Virtual Academy Student. Tulsa Virtual Academy is a great option for students and families who prefer to learn in a nontraditional learning environment. The virtual academy may also be ideal for students that thrive when given the flexibility to work at their own pace, engage in personalized learning, or pursue the passions outside of the traditional classroom setting. Because Tulsa Virtual Academy allows students to work at their own pace, students may be able to work faster than they would in a traditional classroom.

Yes - Tulsa Virtual Academy will be a standalone school for the 2021-2022 school year. Students enrolled at Tulsa Virtual Academy for the 2021-2022 school year will have Tulsa Virtual Academy recorded as their school of choice.

If you want your student to stay with Tulsa Virtual Academy in the 2021-2022 school year, you must enroll them before Friday, Feb. 12. If you do not enroll your child at Tulsa Virtual Academy, he or she will begin the 2021-2022 school year at their home school.

The 2021-2022 enrollment window is open now through Friday, Feb. 12. To enroll, please visit tulsaschools.org/EnrollTulsa.

No, during the 2021-2022 school year, students will not have the opportunity to enroll in dual language programming at Tulsa Virtual Academy. Students wishing to enroll in dual language programming will have the option of enrolling at Tulsa Public Schools’ Dual Language Academy during the 2021-2022 enrollment window.

The 2021-2022 enrollment window is open now through Friday, Feb. 12. To enroll, please visit tulsaschools.org/EnrollTulsa.

No, if your child currently attends a magnet schools or is on a transfer to school other than their neighborhood and you do not wish to enroll your child at Tulsa Virtual Academy for the 2021-2022 school year, he or she will begin the school year at their home school.

Students enrolled at Tulsa Virtual Academy for the 2021-2022 school year, however, lose their magnet school or transfer school seat and will have Tulsa Virtual Academy recorded as their school of choice.

If you want your student to stay with Tulsa Virtual Academy in the 2021-2022 school year, you must enroll them before Friday, Feb. 12. If you do not enroll your child at Tulsa Virtual Academy, he or she will begin the 2021-2022 school year at their home school.

We are working towards a decision on whether Tulsa Virtual Academy students will be eligible for OSSAA activities for the 2021-2022 school year and expect to have a decision in the spring. We are also finalizing an expanded list of extracurricular offerings for the 2021-2022 school year and we also expect to have this list finalized in the spring.

Registration for Tulsa Virtual Academy for the 2020-2021 school year is now closed. We will review registration requests received after August 10 on a case-by-case basis. Please email enroll@tulsaschools.org to inform us of your needs.

The window to enroll your child for the 2021-2022 school year opens on Jan. 5, 2021 through Feb. 12, 2021. Please visit Enroll Tulsa for more information.

Yes, students graduating in the 2021-2022 school year will be recognized as graduates of Tulsa Virtual Academy. We expect more details regarding the 2021-2022 graduating class of Tulsa Virtual Academy to be finalized in the early spring.

No, on the contrary, your student will have a flexible schedule that will include opportunities for acceleration and targeted tutoring. He/she may be able to get ahead within this model.

Beginning in the 2021-2022 school year, students will have access to additional supports to help ensure that they stay on track. We are currently working on plans to determine what those additional supports will be. We expect to have more information in the spring.

Tulsa Public Schools provides each student with a Chromebook in order to successfully engage in Tulsa Virtual Academy.

• Tulsa Public Schools students in 9th-12th grade.
• Eligible high schools include:
  • Booker T. Washington
  • Central
  • East Central
  • Edison
  • Hale
  • KIPP
  • McLain
  • Memorial
  • Phoenix Rising
  • Rogers
  • Street School
  • TRAICE
  • TLA
  • Tulsa MET
  • TSAS
  • Webster
• Students must show a valid I.D. before using the bus.

• You can find your route to all eligible Tulsa Public Schools high schools listed above.
• You can plan your trip here.
• You can also find routes and information with the Transit Traveler and Maps and Schedule.
• Select your route and track your bus in real time here.

• Awareness – Who am I? Get to know your interests, skills and strengths. Self-awareness activities Individual reflection and goal-setting
• Exploration – Where do I want to go? Explore career pathways and education opportunities. Career awareness assessment Career research
• Preparation / Planning – How do I get there?
• Action – Review and revise the plan as necessary

• All children in households receiving benefits from SNAP, FDPIR, or TANF;
• Foster children who are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court;
• Children who meet the definition of homeless, runaway, or migrant; and
• Children whose household income is within the limits on the federal Income Eligibility Guidelines.

• Support your child's curiosity to learn a second language and culture.
• Expose your child to different cultural events at school or around town.
• Encourage your child to take at least four levels of the languages.
• Encourage patience while learning a second language.
• Read with your child everyday in the language(s) you are most comfortable with.
• Share family stories with your child.
• Encourage your child to write at home (grocery lists, letters, etc.).
• The more you are able to build up your child’s first language, the better they will perform academically in their second language.

• Change of setting - preferential seating, separate location
• Having sections of work read aloud to the student - math story problems for a student who has identified reading weaknesses, audio books
• Frequent breaks
• Giving answer orally
• Extra time for taking tests
• Assistive technology - FM system or augmentative communication system - can be high tech or low tech
• Record a lesson, instead of taking notes

• Changing the grade level of a reading passage
• Reducing the number of answer choices - multiple choice
• Complete different homework problems than peers
• Answer different test questions
• Create alternate projects or assignments
• Get graded or assessed using a different standard than other students
• Be excused from particular projects

Accessing speech-to-text and text-to-speech for Chromebooks

1. Activate in Settings
2. Accessibility, Dictation (enable)
3. Turn on/off with curser over the microphone

1. Find Accessibility features. At the bottom right, select the time. Or press Alt + Shift+ s Select settings
2. Turn on a feature. Choose the accessibility features you’d like to use: Under ‘Text-to-speech’, turn on Enable ChromeVox (spoken feedback). Turn on the reader or Select to speak.

• At the bottom right, select the time. Or press Alt + Shift + s.
• Select Settings .
• At the bottom, select Advanced.
• In the "Accessibility" section, select Manage accessibility features.
  • Optional: To have quick access to accessibility features, turn on Always show accessibility options in the system menu.

• Choose the accessibility features you'd like to use:
• Text-to-speech: Turn on the screen reader or Select-to-speak.
• Display: Turn on high contrast mode or screen magnifier, or change screen resolution or text size.
• Keyboard: Turn on sticky keys, on-screen keyboard, keyboard focus highlighting, keyboard repeat rate, or word prediction. Learn how to type with your voice.
• Mouse and touchpad: Turn on navigation buttons in tablet mode, automatic clicking, tap dragging, cursor highlighting, or change the cursor's size.
• Audio: Play all sounds together through all speakers or play sound on startup.

• You can make the page you're looking at bigger or smaller, but keep other parts of your screen the same size.
• To make the page bigger: Press Ctrl and Plus .
• To make the page smaller: Press Ctrl and Minus .
• Reset zoom: Press Ctrl + 0. 

• Microsoft Accessibility Features
• Microsoft Resources for Special Educators
• OneNote for Teachers
• Special Education and Accessibility Resources for Remote Learning
• Supporting Students with Dyslexia During Remote Learning

• EDPlan Connect Parent Guide
• EDPlan Connect Parent Quick Start