Superintendent Walters announces end of government-mandated end-of-year testing

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Superintendent Ryan Walters has announced a transformative shift in Oklahoma’s approach to student assessment, marking the end of traditional statewide summative testing as we know it.

Lawmakers must confront higher ed, K-12 on reading crisis

“There is no reason a child cannot read before they are in third grade,” former State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister said in 2019. “But our teachers have to teach based on the science of reading, and that is not happening across this state. It is happening in pockets.”

‘Won’t You Be My Neighbor?’

When our sons were children, a part of their afternoons included spending time with “Mr. Roger’s’ Neighborhood,” viewed on our local Public Broadcasting Station (PBS).

Pride of Durant ready for season

The Durant High School Pride of Durant marching band recently completed its band camp as it gets ready for the marching season. Head band director Chris Gregg said the camp began for the drummers on July 28 and the rest of the band began practicing last week that ended Aug.

Cheer team provides opportunities for children with special needs

Elevate McKinley is a cheer-abilities team that provides opportunities for children who have differing abilities and they recently wrapped up their season.

Durant City Council to vote on economic development agreement with Albertson’s grocery

Durant City Council, in its regular meeting Aug.12, will be voting on an economic development agreement that would bring an Albertson’s grocery store to Durant.

Toddler killed in accident

An 18-month-old Stillwater boy was killed July 30 when he was hit by a Peterbilt truck at a private residence on North Oak St. about eight miles south of Bennington, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol said.

Color Oklahoma to plant wildflowers in Durant

Color Oklahoma is proud to announce a record-breaking $25,000investment in native wildflower seeds to be planted across the state in 2025.