Oklahoma has one of the lowest average ACT scores in the nation, with a mean score of 17.6, significantly below the national average of 19.4. Democratic lawmakers attribute this decline to several factors, particularly the prevalence of underqualified teachers in classrooms. State Representative Andy Fugate noted that ACT scores have been falling since 2014, coinciding with an increase in alternatively and emergency certified teachers. He emphasized that while these teachers may have subject knowledge, they often lack proper training in teaching methods, which negatively impacts student performance and future opportunities. Lawmakers argue that addressing the quality of teaching is crucial for improving test scores and student outcomes.
State Lawmakers Link Teacher Quality to Declining ACT Scores in Oklahoma
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