INITIATIVES
The Oklahoma Shift
The Oklahoma Shift starts now! 👈 The Shift starts with you! 👈 When Oklahomans rally, we win!
Building Strong Foundations Together
The Oklahoma Shift is about coming together around something we all share — our education system. No matter where we come from or what we believe, education touches every family, every community, and every future in this state.
This is a collective movement. It’s an invitation for all Oklahomans to take part — educators, parents, students, community members, businesses, higher education, and leaders — because schools cannot carry this work alone, and they shouldn’t have to.
Strong foundations are built when people show up for one another. When communities step in to support classrooms. When resources are shared. When educators are respected, equipped, and backed by the people they serve. When we focus less on blame and more on solutions.
The Oklahoma Shift is about doing the work together — filling gaps, creating real supports, and strengthening what already exists — so every student has a fair chance to succeed. When we invest in education together, we invest in Oklahoma’s future.
Why it Matters
Education shapes everything that comes after it — from a child’s confidence, to their opportunities, to the strength of our communities and workforce. When students struggle, it’s rarely because of a lack of effort from educators. More often, it’s because schools are carrying challenges they were never meant to handle alone.
Teachers are being asked to do more with less, students are navigating growing academic and mental health pressures, and families are trying to support learning without enough tools. When literacy and foundational skills fall behind, the effects ripple far beyond the classroom.
That’s why this work matters. Not as a talking point, and not as a political issue, but as a shared responsibility. If we want a stronger future for Oklahoma, we have to show up for education together — with real support, practical resources, and a commitment to the people doing the work every day.
How it Works
We listen first
We start by hearing directly from educators, students, and school leaders to understand what’s working, what’s not, and where support is needed most.
We bring people together
Through nonpartisan town halls and community conversations, we connect educators, families, community members, higher education, and policymakers around shared goals.
We build and share real resources
We create and curate practical tools, training, and materials that support classrooms, families, and communities — all in one place.
We promote literacy and strong foundations
Literacy is the starting point. From early readers to adult learners, we focus on the skills that unlock opportunity across every subject.
We turn conversation into action
Insights from educators and communities help shape programs, partnerships, and next steps that move the work forward.
Here Are the Winners of the Oklahoma Shift Bookmark Design Challenge
Earlier this year, Oklahoma Citizens for Education invited students across the state to participate in the Oklahoma Shift Bookmark Design Challenge, a celebration of creativity, literacy, and student voice.
Students from Kindergarten through 8th grade submitted more than 400 original bookmark designs representing schools and communities across Oklahoma. Each submission reflected a student’s unique imagination and their love for reading.
The goal of the challenge was to encourage reading, celebrate student creativity, and connect communities to the power of literacy.
After reviewing hundreds of entries, our team selected seven winning designs that captured the spirit of reading and the imagination of Oklahoma students.
These bookmarks are now being shared with bookstores and libraries across the state to help promote reading and raise support for Oklahoma classrooms.
Meet the Winning Student Designers Design Theme: Oklahoma Stories
Selecting the winners was not easy. With more than 400 submissions, we saw incredible creativity, thoughtful artwork, and powerful messages about the importance of reading.
The winning bookmarks were selected based on:
• Creativity and originality
• Artistic design
• Connection to reading and imagination
• The student’s ability to inspire others to read
Each of these students captured something special about what reading means — not just in school, but in everyday life. Their artwork now serves as a reminder that when students read, they explore new ideas, build confidence, and imagine new possibilities.
As part of the challenge, we asked students a simple question:
“What do you like most about reading with adults and friends?”
Here are some of their answers:
See What Oklahoma Students Say About Reading
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The Oklahoma Shift is coming...
