Oklahoma's Education System Ranks 50th Nationally Amidst Policy Debates

Recent analyses place Oklahoma's education system at 50th among U.S. states, drawing attention to critical performance indicators. Political consultant Frank Luntz highlighted these concerns in a social media post, stating, "Oklahoma currently ranks 50th in education among U.S. states." This ranking reflects low scores in key areas, including 49th in median ACT score, 45th in median SAT score, 48th in reading, 44th in math, 46th in dropout rates, and 39th in student-teacher ratio.

The 50th-place ranking originates from a 2025 WalletHub study, which assessed states based on 32 metrics, with 80% weighted on quality and 20% on safety. The study positioned Oklahoma just ahead of New Mexico among 51 entities, including Washington, D.C. Other reports, such as the Annie E. Casey Foundation's 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book, also placed Oklahoma low, at 48th in education, noting that 77% of fourth graders were below proficient in reading and 83% of eighth graders in math.

State Superintendent Ryan Walters has expressed skepticism regarding these rankings, asserting they often overemphasize funding rather than educational outcomes. "A lot of these are kind of ridiculous," Walters stated, adding, "They love to take into account how much money we put in education. That's never been an evaluation of mine of what makes a good education system — it's outcomes." However, the National Education Association's 2025 report indicates Oklahoma ranks 45th in average teacher starting salary, 35th in average teacher salary, and 49th in per-student spending.

Critics, including The Black Wall Street Times, attribute the decline partly to Superintendent Walters' policies since 2023, which have prioritized ideological mandates, such as requiring the King James Bible in classrooms and banning diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Representative Dick Lowe, Oklahoma's House of Representatives education chair, also suggested that mandatory ACT testing for all students in Oklahoma might skew the state's median scores compared to states where the test is optional. This comprehensive ranking highlights ongoing challenges and differing perspectives on the state's educational trajectory.