KEATING says Tulsa Schools need to 'raise the bar'

"The hard truth", words from Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating about the State of Tulsa's public education. The Governor made the comments Tuesday morning in Tulsa as he addressed a packed Chamber of

Tuesday, June 19th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

"The hard truth", words from Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating about the State of Tulsa's public education. The Governor made the comments Tuesday morning in Tulsa as he addressed a packed Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

KOTV's Tami Marler was at the event and says Governor Keating says Oklahoma is too good a state to be so poor. We rank 45th in per capita income. He says much of the problem lies with sub-par public education, especially in Tulsa. At a Chamber luncheon, Keating said Tulsa Public Schools need to "raise the bar" for student achievement. In recent standardized tests, Tulsa Public Schools ranked below both the national and the state level. Keating says that needs to change. Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent Doctor David Sawyer has said he too is disappointed in Tulsa's test scores, and he too, expects a higher standard.

A TPS official tells KOTV that's why the district is working to cut absenteeism; make sure all students can read by 3rd grade; and provide better, and more teacher training. Keating says reform in three areas will help to boost the economy, and education in Tulsa.