Tulsa Public Schools saw growth for a third consecutive year in spring 2026 Oklahoma State Testing Program (OSTP) assessments, with results showing the district again making improvement in every grade level for both math and reading. This includes English Language Arts (ELA), where the district saw a two-point year-over-year improvement for third graders in achieving “basic,” “proficient,” or “advanced.” Across grade levels, the district increased the percentage of students in “basic”, “proficient” or “advanced” categories year-over-year. 

The progress reflects the district’s continued focus on core instruction aligned to state standards. In the area of literacy, where Tulsa Public Schools has invested in high quality, student-outcome focused instruction and differentiated learning models, efforts have yielded another year of growth. 

In math, Tulsa Public Schools saw year-over-year gains in the “basic” category across all grade levels, and 1,852 students are now “proficient” or “advanced.” Notably, fifth grade saw a 3.4 percentage point increase in the proportion of students in “basic” since last year, while middle schools saw a 2.3 percentage point improvement. 

“From the day I first stepped into the role of Superintendent, improving student outcomes and expanding opportunities across the district have been my administration’s guiding purpose and the lens through which we evaluate every decision,” Superintendent Dr. Ebony Johnson said. “We are heartened to see our hard work and dedication reflected not just in these results, but also in the changing culture and the opportunities we’re prioritizing for our young people. Our students deserve the very best support, teachers, and resources we can offer, and that is our driving focus every day at Tulsa Public Schools.”

Results from the spring assessments in science were particularly notable in elementary schools. Fifth-graders saw impressive improvements, showing a 5.9 percentage point increase in students in “basic”, and an 8.1 percentage point increase in students in “proficient” or “advanced” since 2025.

The OSTP results also show opportunities for growth in middle school math. This school year, classroom teachers will prioritize strengthening students’ mathematical skills through engaging, standards-aligned instruction. Lessons will incorporate hands-on manipulatives, data-driven interventions, and consistent opportunities for students to apply their learning, fostering deeper problem-solving abilities and mathematical reasoning. Students will also have the opportunity to accelerate their growth through extensive supports – such as tutoring and after-school programming – and ongoing skill checks.

As reference, OSTP results are categorized in the following order, starting with the highest scores: advanced, proficient, basic, and below basic. The test is administered to students in grades three through eight annually during the spring semester.

Some highlights of the Spring 2026 OSTP results include:

• Elementary Math Gains Continue
  Twenty-five percent more fifth-grade students scored proficient or higher in math compared to results from last year’s OSTP results.
• Elementary ELA Bright Spots
  Zarrow saw the largest improvement in moving students to “proficient” and “advanced” categories in ELA assessments by 8%, followed by Eisenhower Elementary (7.8% improvement) and Felicitas Mendez International School (7.3% improvement). McKinley Elementary fifth-graders had the biggest improvements of a single grade since last year on their ELA assessments: an almost 30% improvement in both “basic” and “proficient” categories.
• Middle School Bright Spots
  Tulsa MET Middle School and East Central Middle School saw the strongest improvements on ELA assessments at the middle school level – 11.5% of students at Tulsa MET increased in rates of “basic”, and 5.8% at East Central Middle School. Both sites made gains in student achievement on math assessments as well.