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Commission hears Tulsa Public Schools outreach plan, flags high suspension rates for Black students
Summary
Vice chair reported Tulsa Public Schools is holding community listening sessions as part of a strategic plan process; commissioners asked TPS to discuss suspension and disciplinary disparities and requested a TPS representative attend a commission meeting.
Vice Chair Commissioner Wilson reported on Oct. 17 that Tulsa Public Schools (TPS) staff are holding citywide community meetings as part of TPS’s strategic planning, and commissioners asked TPS to bring data on college-going rates, literacy and suspension rates affecting African American students.
"I just wanted to share and bring it to the entire commission because my conversation with Emily Taylor, with Tulsa Public Schools, they're having conversations, and want to involve the community as a whole," Vice Chair Commissioner Wilson said during the meeting. She told fellow commissioners she would follow up and circulate meeting flyers when they are available.
Commissioners emphasized concern about disciplinary outcomes, including suspensions of very young children. One member pointed to recent reporting about preschool suspensions and asked how the commission could support alternatives, including mental-health resources and mentoring. Commissioners discussed a planned mentoring program described at the meeting as an "alternative to incarceration," and asked that TPS’s community meetings include specific asks for commission participation and concrete data requests on college-going, achievement and literacy rates.
Commissioners said TPS is seeking community input on its strategic plan and that TPS representative Emily Taylor — described in the meeting as an executive director for strategy and data — has welcomed requests for specific data. Commissioners resolved to invite TPS to present to the full commission and to publicize TPS community meeting dates to encourage attendance.
The education committee reported a range of follow-up tasks including (a) compiling data requests, (b) coordinating with TPS on meeting promotion and (c) including discussion of alternatives to suspension and supports for early childhood.
