As primary elections approach, the future of 700,000 students may hinge on one critical decision: choosing the right kind of leadership.
As Oklahoma voters prepare to head to the polls, there’s one race that deserves more attention than it often gets: education leadership.
This isn’t just another statewide office.
It’s a role that influences more than 700,000 public school students, tens of thousands of teachers, and the long-term strength of our workforce and economy.
And yet, too often, the conversation around education leadership gets lost in noise.
So before casting a vote, it’s worth asking a simple question: What actually matters when choosing someone to lead our schools?
1. Experience That Translates Into Results
Education is one of the most complex systems in state government.
It involves:
- Managing billions in public funding
- Supporting educators across urban and rural districts
- Ensuring policies translate into real classroom outcomes
That kind of responsibility requires more than ideas – it requires real, hands-on experience.
Leaders who have spent time in classrooms and school systems understand something that can’t be learned from the outside: how decisions affect students and teachers in real time.
Voters should ask:
- Has this person worked inside schools?
- Have they led teams, managed budgets, and solved real problems?
Because in education, execution matters just as much as vision.
2. A Clear Plan to Improve Student Outcomes
Oklahoma’s education challenges are well documented.
According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress:
- Only about 1 in 5 eighth graders reads at a proficient level
- Fewer than one-third of fourth graders are proficient in math
These numbers represent real students who need better support – earlier and more effectively.
Educators across the state have long emphasized the importance of:
- Early literacy and phonics instruction
- Strong math foundations
- Timely academic feedback that allows teachers to adjust instruction
Strong leadership means having a plan that is not only ambitious, but grounded in what works in real classrooms.
3. The Ability to Restore Trust
Across Oklahoma, one concern continues to surface: Trust in education has eroded.
Parents want to feel informed.
Teachers want to feel respected.
Communities want stability – not constant change.
According to the Oklahoma State Department of Education school report card system
Families are paying closer attention than ever to:
- Transparency
- Communication
- School climate
In many communities, leaders who have built strong relationships with parents and teachers share a common approach: open communication and consistent expectations.
Because without trust, even the best policies struggle to succeed.
4. Support for Teachers as Professionals
No reform effort succeeds without teachers.
Across Oklahoma, many educators continue to navigate:
- Administrative demands
- Shifting expectations
- Limited time for instruction
Leaders who have worked alongside teachers often emphasize a simple principle:
When teachers are supported and respected, students succeed.
That support can take many forms:
- Reducing unnecessary bureaucracy
- Providing meaningful professional development
- Creating opportunities for teacher input in decision-making
In classrooms where teachers feel empowered, the impact is clear.
5. A Focus on All Students – In Every Community
Oklahoma’s education system spans large metro districts and small rural schools – each with unique challenges.
Data from the Oklahoma Policy Institute 2025 KIDS COUNT® Data Book shows that:
- A majority of students are below proficiency in core subjects
- Gaps persist across regions and income levels
Educators with experience in diverse settings, particularly in rural communities, often highlight the importance of ensuring that every student, regardless of location, has access to opportunity.
That includes:
- Fair access to resources
- Support for special needs students
- Policies that reflect local community needs
6. Stability Over Noise
Education systems don’t improve overnight.
They require:
- Consistent leadership
- Long-term planning
- Steady implementation
Frequent shifts in direction, whether political or administrative, can disrupt progress and create confusion for schools and families alike.
Many longtime educators will tell you: Sustainable improvement comes from steady, focused leadership – not constant change.
The Bottom Line
This election isn’t just about policy. It’s about leadership.
The kind of leadership that:
- Understands schools from the inside
- Focuses on results, not rhetoric
- Builds trust with families and teachers
- Stays steady when it matters most
Oklahoma’s students only get one shot at their education. And the decisions made in this election will shape that experience for years to come.
As voters, the question isn’t just who sounds right. It’s: Who is prepared to lead?
By Dr. John Cox, Candidate for State Superintendent
Dr. John Cox is a lifelong Oklahoma educator with more than 40 years of experience in public schools, including over three decades as a superintendent.