The Belief Gap: A Call for High Expectations in Oklahoma City Schools
By Brent Bushey, Fuel OKC CEO
Oklahoma City Public Schools' 2022-23 State Report Cards tell a troubling story. Of the 75 district and charter schools that participated in state testing, a staggering 49 Oklahoma City schools have alarmingly low English Language Arts (ELA) proficiency rates, with more than 80% of students at these schools not reading at grade level.
The data is concerning, especially considering countless studies suggest a key factor in a student’s overall success is their ability to read proficiently.
When I share this data, I often encounter questions like:
Can schools with high percentages of students from low-income families succeed?
Is it fair to hold the same standards for schools serving a high percentage of students from low-income families?
How can we expect students to excel when parents aren’t as involved in their students’ learning?
These questions often stem from genuine concern for the families and students, with the goal of ensuring all students receive the support they need to succeed. While I appreciate this concern, I reject the idea that schools serving predominantly low-income families can’t be successful. In fact, I believe the worst thing we can do for these students is to lower our expectations. Instead, we must hold high expectations for all students and expect schools serving low-income populations to excel.
Skepticism about whether these schools can succeed is understandable, as students from low-income families often face greater challenges. Studies reveal that state report cards frequently align with income levels, with schools serving higher-income populations typically scoring higher. But examples exist of schools defying these odds and achieving remarkable results, even while serving predominantly low-income families.
Consider Santa Fe South Pathways Middle College, a charter school in south Oklahoma City. At Pathways, 97% of the students qualify for free or reduced lunch, indicating household incomes between 130-185% of the federal poverty line ($31,200 for a family of four). Yet, it’s one of only three schools within OKCPS boundaries to earn an A on the State Report Card.
With a 97% graduation rate and 82% of its graduates earning an associate’s degree before high school graduation, Pathways demonstrates what’s possible when school leaders invest in teachers and programs, and – most importantly – believe in their students’ academic potential despite their circumstances.
Reading proficiency is especially crucial for students from low-income families. Research shows students who haven’t learned to read by third grade are significantly less likely to graduate high school and struggle throughout their education. Schools must find ways to close this achievement gap if they want students to succeed. Accepting anything less only perpetuates the challenges these students face.
Some schools have already proven it’s possible to overcome these challenges. Fuel OKC’s mission is to support the growth of these schools by expanding or replicating successful models, while also helping existing schools improve academic outcomes.
While this work won’t be easy, it’s the most important work we can do in support of low-income families. Together, we can break the cycle of low expectations and create a brighter future for all children in Oklahoma City.
