Since I entered the race for State Superintendent, I have constantly argued that we need to provide open, transparent reporting of education results. Recent reports reaffirm the need for this basic reform.

The results of Oklahoma’s end of instruction tests in each school district show proficiency rates continue to lag in many districts. The real challenge, however, is for parents to decipher the true meaning of their child’s scores on Oklahoma’s end of instruction tests.

The Tulsa World noted on Aug. 26 that just a few years ago fourth-graders were considered “proficient” in math if they correctly answered just 44 percent of the questions on the state test. Had a child made that score on any other test taken in a regular math class, it would have been considered an F, and a low F at that. But when the same student made a 44 on the state math test, suddenly the child was … “proficient.”

To be declared proficient today, the Tulsa World reported a fourth-grade student must now correctly answer 64 percent of math questions. Again, that’s a score that would be considered a D (at best) on most regular tests given in the classroom. While the report by the Tulsa World is not entirely accurate, the point is that student testing is difficult to design, confusing to interpret and leaves everyone scratching their heads. We are all left wondering; what does the student actually know?

I think most parents would be shocked to learn a child could be considered proficient when he or she makes low grades on state tests, but it is difficult for parents to learn what that “proficient” score really means. Making the task even more difficult for parents is the fact that different state tests have different “cut scores” (essentially, the passing score for the test). In 2009, for example, a fourth grader had to get a 64 on the math test to be considered proficient, but a 74 on the reading test.

In short, the term “proficient” includes children who miss many test questions, and each test is graded using a different scale. On most tests questions are “weighted” for difficulty so a student will get more credit for correctly answering one question versus another. Sound confusing? It is both confusing and frustrating. It is a system that obscures accurate reporting of student progress and leaves parents in the dark.

We can do better.

I believe we must reform our testing system to provide consistent, easily understood reporting of test results. Parents should not have to read footnotes to determine if a child is truly “proficient” or in need of additional study.

Simplified, straight-forward reporting of student results is essentially to notify parents that a child is struggling academically, and it will create greater incentive to address problems early. Today, too often, children (and their parents) don’t learn of their true educational needs until the child has entered college or the workforce where the school of hard knocks provides a rude awakening.

As State Superintendent, I will work to provide parents as much information as possible about their child’s academic progress and the standing of local schools. For example, the state of Florida actually gives each school a letter grade based in part on student performance. Those grades – A, B, C, D, and F – are universally understood and the criteria for those grades are also widely disseminated. Similar reforms would allow Oklahoma parents to easily determine how their children are performing academically and how their local schools measure up. If we truly want to provide students the best education possible, a free flow of accurate information is crucial to improving performance.

It’s hard to believe, but summer’s over and the start of school has arrived for students in Oklahoma.

The beginning of a new school year is an exciting time for children. It’s a time of fresh starts and new beginnings – a new grade, new courses, new classmates. The start of school is a time of optimism, when you can put last year’s grades behind you and begin anew.

This year, Oklahoma voters have the opportunity to create that sense of optimism and renewal on a large scale, giving our entire school system a fresh start. As State Superintendent, I believe we can build on the successes of the past while also working to improve our school system.

We have many things going for us in Oklahoma – dedicated teachers, supportive communities, and children who are capable of greatness. When you add in greater accountability, reduced mandates, and higher expectations, the sky is the limit.

There’s no reason Oklahoma schools can’t be the best in the nation or that Oklahoma students can’t be the envy of their peers in other states. That is both my goal as State Superintendent and my pledge to you.

For children, the new school year begins in August. For voters, it begins in November. I appreciate your support.

The reason we have public schools is so every child in our state can have access to a quality education. I thought that concept was self-evident, but it appears to be a novel idea to many defenders of the status quo who often argue that higher standards are too much for “some” children.

In fact, during the primary, one of the other Superintendent candidates noted that Oklahoma is still a major agriculture producer, and said that meant rural students didn’t need to meet the same standards and receive the same quality education as students in suburban schools.

I can only assume that my opponent had not spoken to a farmer or rancher lately. To survive as an independent businessman in rural America in the 21st Century global marketplace, today’s farmers and ranchers have to possess a wide range of skills, and mastery of math and science is crucial for survival.

That’s why I support Agriculture Education programs that introduce high-level math, science and communication skills to students in a way that most appeals to them. As I have often said, I support local control and realize that one size does not fit all.

That’s the reason I also support our CareerTech system, which provides students the opportunity to learn in an environment that engages and challenges them more than the traditional classroom.

As State Superintendent, my job will be to set high standards and hold schools accountable for results, not to micromanage teachers in the classroom. Those who argue you can’t present a rigorous curriculum through an Agriculture Education or CareerTech course are clearly not familiar with those programs.

How our teachers teach should remain in their control, and there is clearly more than one way to present material in a rigorous curriculum. I believe the best education strategies are based on students’ varied learning styles, which is why I will continue to be a big supporter of Agriculture Education, Career Tech and similar innovative programs as your State Superintendent.

We have to make “work ready” and “college ready” mean the same thing in Oklahoma, and to achieve that goal I believe we must provide teachers the flexibility to choose the best strategies for reaching their students.

There’s a big difference between knowing that “one size does not fit all” and assuming only a relative handful of students can actually comprehend a rigorous curriculum. As your State Superintendent, I will make sure “flexibility” remains a tool to benefit students and not an excuse to water down standards, and I will continue to support successful programs like Agriculture Education and CareerTech that help students master the vital skills they’ll need as adults.

Throughout this campaign I have spoken of the need for greater expectations in Oklahoma’s school system because I know high expectations and high standards produce better students. That’s one of the core beliefs we have at Harding Charter Preparatory High School and a “secret” to the school’s success.

The idea for Harding came from a teacher who approached me about launching a school that would teach Advanced Placement courses to ALL students, not just a cherry picked handful of so-called top students. I was intrigued and wanted to take the idea one step further – why not put the school in a low-income area serving many inner-city children?

Will every student who takes an Advance Placement course ultimately pass the Advance Placement test? Not necessarily. But every student who goes through the rigor of an Advanced Placement class will still be better prepared for college or the workplace.

A 2008 study found students who took AP courses and exams were more likely to graduate college in four years than other students. The research showed the four-year graduation rates for AP students were greater than the four-year graduation rates of students who did not take AP.

In athletics, it’s no secret that training is crucial for success. Not every football team that practices is guaranteed a win, but your chances for victory improve exponentially when you take the time for conditioning and team drills.

That’s a common-sense idea that is (sadly) still revolutionary to many defenders of the status quo in education. Too often, the education establishment preemptively declares students are not capable of academic rigor before ever giving those students the opportunity.

We would never tell high school football players to sit on the couch all week and then send them on the field Friday night expecting a win against a team that actually practiced. Why should we treat academics differently?

Would we really tell a child, “Since you’re clearly not NFL material, there’s no need for you to ever exercise?” Yet, in effect, that’s what occurs when officials water down academic rigor. And that attitude of indifference has devastating, lifelong consequences for Oklahoma children.

To send children to college or into the workforce without preparing them academically is an open-invitation for defeat, but instead of simply losing for one night on a football field, students who have not been academically challenged face losses throughout their lives because they were not given a quality education.

As your State Superintendent, I will work to make sure our schools train children’s minds as thoroughly as we train them athletically.

This Tuesday (July 27), you have the power to chart a new course in Oklahoma education. You have the power to put students ahead of bureaucrats, to slash the red tape holding teachers back, and to empower parents. You have the power to make our public schools as great as the people of our state.

But you have to vote to make it happen.

Over the past year, I have explained my conservative vision for education and my record of success. I am running because I truly believe we can do better, and that I am uniquely qualified to be Oklahoma’s next Superintendent of Public Instruction. Through my work in public charter schools, I have seen firsthand that every child is capable of greatness and academic success, regardless of socio-economic background. Now, I want to replicate that success for every child and every family across Oklahoma.

On Tuesday, you have the power to take the first step toward making that vision a reality by supporting me in the Republican primary.

I humbly ask for your vote and thank you for your support.

For those who are supporting my candidacy, you have my heartfelt thanks…and one last request. There’s still time to influence your friends and family, so please be sure to let them know about this campaign and the issues we are championing. Direct your undecided friends to my website and Facebook page for more information, and feel free to forward our newsletter.

Thank you for all the words of encouragement, the many hours of volunteer effort, and your prayers of support. This race has been a blessing, and I look forward to continuing the fight through November.

See you at the polls on Tuesday!

You’ve been asking for them, and now we have them – yard signs! Now that the campaign is kicking into high gear, we need your help more than ever. Placing one of my signs in your yard or in front of your business is much appreciated as we work to increase my name ID and spread my message of education reform. However, we can also use more volunteers and, of course, your financial support is always welcome.

The past few weeks have been very busy and included some very exciting news. First, Harding Charter Preparatory High School (one of the two public charter schools I helped launch) has again been named one of the best schools in the nation by Newsweek.

Last year, Harding was ranked 193rd out of the 1600 top high schools in the country. This year, we surged to 68th best in the nation. That achievement occurred with a student population where 77 percent of kids come from low-income homes and receive free or reduced lunches. And, unlike some private schools or magnet schools, our success was not due to cherry picking students. Anyone living in the Oklahoma City school district can attend Harding; there is no test required for admittance.

Harding’s success is due to high expectations and solid teaching strategies. I want to take the lessons learned at Harding over the past seven years and apply them to all Oklahoma schools. Those who claim Oklahoma children cannot outperform students in other states are wrong and our experience at Harding proves it.

I have also been endorsed by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, a leader in education reform in that state. I greatly admire Gov. Bush’s work and success in improving Florida’s education system and believe the fact that our campaign has now received national attention from prominent reform advocates shows we are on the right track.

While I am excited about the progress of the campaign, we cannot afford to be complacent. We need your help and active support more than ever. For those who think we can simply sit back and coast to the primary, I have just two words: Alvin Greene. Greene recently became the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in South Carolina in spite of the fact that he had done no campaigning, was completely unknown, and his opponent had spent money on advertising.

To become State Superintendent, I know I have to earn your vote in both the primary and general election, and I am actively working to win this race.

But I definitely need your help. To get a sign, donate or join the campaign as a volunteer, go to http://www.janetbarresi.com/join

Together, we can win this race and improve the lives of all Oklahoma children. Thank you for your support.

Last week I made it official and formally filed for the Office of State Superintendent, moving this campaign into an exciting new phase. After nearly a year of work, we are now entering the final stretch – just five months until the general election.

And, although voters have already responded enthusiastically to my message of reform, we cannot afford to be complacent. That’s why I continue to pound the pavement, meeting Oklahomans across the state and sharing my message.

In just the past two weeks, I have attended the Oklahoma Press Association’s Summer Conference near Hulbert, where I met with newspaper reporters from across the state; spoke to the Tri-City GOP Women’s Club and a meeting of the Cleveland County GOP (where I won the straw poll; thanks to all who voted!); attended the Lincoln County GOP Dinner; and appeared before the state’s school administrators (where I spoke a little truth to those in power – see this article).

Now that filing has been completed, it is clear I will be the reform candidate in this race and that forces of the status quo will continue to work against me. In just six weeks, I have a primary race, and in November, I will face both Democrat and Independent opponents. So I need your help now more than ever. My Democrat opponent is a State Senator who is using the power of that office to raise money. I especially need your financial help so that we can take advantage of what should be a Republican tide and for the first time in state history, elect a Republican as State Superintendent.

To volunteer to work on the campaign, host a reception, or obtain yard signs or bumper stickers, go to http://www.janetbarresi.com/join. To contribute to the campaign, go to Click and Pledge.

Thank you for your support and stay tuned, because there will be some exciting news and endorsements in the days ahead.