The Sooner State and Sanctions: A Retrospective of Oklahoma’s Educator Revolt of 1963-1965

• In Event: Learning from Educators who have used the Profession as an Act of Resistance

Abstract

Drawing on multi-layered historical research, this paper revisits Oklahoma’s 1963-65 “revolt” in education and subsequent sanctions. Today, nearly six decades after the sanctions, in the context of stunted teacher salaries, chronic school underfunding, teacher deprofessionalization, and associated teacher flight, Oklahoma’s teacher battles continue, though the war of 1965 is largely forgotten. In revisiting the 1965 sanctions, we bring renewed focus to one of Oklahoma’s key moments of statewide educational crisis while providing historical context for the future political actions of those advocating for educational change in the state of Oklahoma and elsewhere. Amid Oklahoma’s recent sharp decline in educational rankings and increasing hostility toward teachers from elected officials—this historical act of teacher advocacy is particularly ripe for reexamination.

Authors

• Don C. Murray, Oklahoma State University

• Hannah-Scout Hossaini Anvar, Oklahoma State University

• AJ Tierney, Oklahoma State University