The Purple Star program is designed to help schools respond to the educational and personal challenges of military-connected children, particularly their transitions to new schools and keeping them on track to be college, workforce and life-ready. 

To qualify for the Purple Star distinction, school districts must:

• Designate a staff member to serve as a military liaison to students and families
• Maintain an easily accessible webpage with resources specific to military students and families, including relocation assistance, records transfer, academic planning, counseling services, etc.
• Operate and maintain a student-led transition program to help facilitate military-connected students’ entry into the school/district
• Provide school employees professional development related to military-connected students
• Offer an initiative to recognize a military child, partner with a military installation or issue a resolution in support of military children and families

Applications are due Oct. 3. Interested districts can request a link to an application by emailing Elizabeth Suddath at elizabeth.suddath@sde.ok.gov.

For additional information, please visit the Oklahoma Purple Star Program website.

The Oklahoma State Department of Education is soliciting recommendations of our State's top scholars for the prestigious U.S. Presidential Scholars Program recognition award. We ask that educators submit information for an outstanding SENIOR student graduating between January and June 2023 who you believe will represent the State of Oklahoma well if selected as a U.S. Presidential Scholar.

Scholars will be selected based on outstanding leadership in the areas of academic achievement, community involvement, and positive character. As you form your recommendation, consider what makes the student stand out as having exemplary scholarship. Has the student overcome special challenges or hurdles while still achieving high academic success? Has the student engaged in consistent service learning that has impacted the school and community? Does the student exhibit innate leadership qualities that build relationships and empower others? We invite you to tell their story. Be their champion for this honor of excellence.

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program (USPSP) was established in 1964, by executive order of the President, to recognize and honor some of our nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors. In 1979, the program was extended to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative, and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields. Each year, up to 161 students are named as Presidential Scholars, one of the nation's highest honors for high school students. Recommend an Oklahoma Senior using the link below.

(STUDENTS CAN ONLY BE NOMINATED THROUGH THEIR STATE AGENCY. 
DO NOT SUBMIT DIRECTLY TO USPSP.)

Click link below to submit recommendation:

2023 U.S PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLAR
RECOMMENDATION FORM

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION IS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2022.

Note: Recommendations do not guarantee nomination.
More than one student from each school can be submitted for recommendation; however, only ONE recommendation per student will be accepted. Notify your principal of the recommendation to avoid duplications. 

Make sure your district is represented in the pool of prospective nominations! 

For questions about this process, email jenna.jones@sde.ok.gov.

Oklahoma Career Tech, in partnership with Oklahoma State Department of Education and the Oklahoma Regents for Higher Education, present “The Fall 2022 Joint Agency Academic Workshops” This half day workshop will focus on several aspects of the academic domain of school counseling for secondary schools.

Click to Download Flyer.

Join us on from 9:00 am - Noon:

Oct 18, 2022 at Moore Norman Technology Center - South Penn Campus

Oct 20, 2022 at Western Technology Center - Burns Flat Campus

Nov 4, 2022 Indian Capital Technology Center - Muskogee Campus 

Save the date and register early! Registration opens September 9. 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER 

For more information contact julie.childers@careertech.ok.gov