Nearly two months behind schedule, the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) has finally released the preliminary standardized test scores for students in grades 3 through 8. Parents gained access on August 1, while schools received the data on July 25.
The delay stems from a dispute between OSDE, led by State Superintendent Ryan Walters, and the Office of Educational Quality and Accountability (OEQA), headed by Education Secretary Nellie Tayloe Sanders. OSDE blamed OEQA for resetting the “cut scores” — the proficiency thresholds for the tests — a move that changed how students’ performance is categorized.
Conflicting Accounts and Missing Input
OEQA reset the cut scores in May, returning to the more rigorous standards used from 2017 to 2023, which align more closely with the National Assessment of Educational Progress. This decision reversed the 2024 cut scores created under Walters’ leadership, which critics say lowered expectations and inflated proficiency rates.
Emails obtained by The Oklahoman show that while OEQA invited OSDE to participate in the process, the education department failed to engage meaningfully, providing limited information and skipping key meetings in May. After the vote, Walters’ team questioned the decision—despite not having shown up to present their case.
Finger-Pointing and Misinformation
Following the commission’s May 21 vote to reinstate the old cut scores, OSDE delayed releasing the 2025 results, citing confusion over the new standards. Internal emails reveal OSDE expressed frustration and requested detailed explanations from OEQA—some of which were sent to OEQA Executive Director Megan Oftedal while she was on medical leave.
A July 22 OSDE email directed districts to send all inquiries about cut scores to Oftedal and inaccurately described her as “recently reinstated.” In reality, she had withdrawn a prior resignation and continued working at OEQA throughout.
Claims of Misleading 2024 Scores
Critics argue that 2024’s standardized test scores — released under the discarded cut scores — falsely suggested that student performance was improving. Walters had used those scores to promote the state’s educational progress, but many say the lowered standards painted an unrealistic picture.
Education Secretary Sanders defended the commission’s decision to return to the original cut scores, calling it a “course correction” necessary for transparency and public trust. She emphasized the need to ensure families receive reliable, truthful data about student readiness.
OSDE Defends Delay, Cites Limited Resources
In earlier correspondence, OSDE noted it was understaffed during the testing window and overwhelmed by ongoing exam administration duties. As a result, officials said they couldn’t provide more comprehensive input or data ahead of the May decisions.
Even after the vote, the Education Department continued to press OEQA for detailed reasoning, further slowing the release of scores. Despite being on leave, Oftedal redirected Walters’ staff to other OEQA officials to ensure questions were addressed.
What’s Next
While the preliminary scores are now public, the back-and-forth between OSDE and OEQA raises ongoing questions about test score integrity, agency cooperation, and leadership accountability. The spotlight remains on how future proficiency standards will be set — and whether political friction will continue to disrupt transparency and communication in Oklahoma’s education system.
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Katie is a senior who has been on staff for three years. Her favorite type of stories to write is reviews and features. Katie’s favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry.
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