Oklahoma Education and You

Oklahoma schools have a problem with their athletic programs.  Recent changes in transfer rules in Oklahoma, the changes at the college level concerning player compensation, and concerns about competitive balance between schools have made the current organization and governance model untenable.  

School athletic programs are expected to serve two purposes that, at times, are at odds. First, they serve an educational purpose: teaching teamwork, character, sportsmanship, discipline, and resilience. Second, they serve an individual purpose: providing a platform for students to showcase their talents.  This platform offers opportunities to earn scholarships and now money through Name Image and Likeness (NIL) agreements.

The conflict between these purposes is showing up in the ongoing controversies surrounding the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSSAA). The OSSAA was created to establish order by governing: schedules, classifications, eligibility standards, and postseason opportunities. However, the growth of school choice and the new economic opportunities available to high school athletes make a statewide, one-size-fits-all model impractical.  

School activities need more choice, allowing families to choose which programs and schools best fit their needs and wants without a state-level organization getting in their way. Families and students should be able to choose where they attend and participate, forcing schools to compete to offer strong programs, safe environments, and positive cultures. In other words, let the market decide: students will gravitate toward programs that develop them, treat them well, and offer real opportunities.

In the same vein, school districts should be free to choose what schools they compete against.  Some districts choose to emphasize athletics and other activities more than others. Additionally, private and charter schools must recruit students as a part of their business model, even though the OSSAA states that recruiting for athletic purposes is against the rules.  Suburban schools have an advantage in open transfers compared to more geographically isolated schools, due to easier transportation and access to a larger number of students.   

That’s why districts should consider a conference-first model: schools voluntarily associating in regional conferences based on geography, comparable resources, and competitive balance—with eligibility rules and an appeals process designed locally for clarity and consistency. Postseason wouldn’t have to disappear. Conferences could still offer championships, regional playoffs, or invitational tournaments. The goal isn’t to devalue competition. Oklahoma communities love competition—and students benefit from it, but I pose this question.  How important is a state championship competition to serving the purpose of high school athletics?

School boards and parents should consider the following.  What purpose do activities serve in our schools, and does the current governance model help or hinder our goals?  If the answer is drifting toward “no,” it may be time to reclaim local control.