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Goals and Guardrails

Goals and Guardrails guide how OKCPS measures student success and protects what matters most along the way. In June 2025, the Board adopted three student outcome goals for the next five years:

  1. Increase early literacy proficiency
  2. Increase middle school math proficiency
  3. Increase early college and career experiences in high school

The Board also adopted four guardrails to protect community priorities, including life skills, strong literacy instruction, advanced learning opportunities, and equitable access to enriching experiences.

Together, the goals define what we want to achieve for students, while the guardrails define what we must protect along the way. They are the foundation of the OKCPS Strategic Plan and support our vision for every student to graduate prepared for gainful employment, military enlistment or higher education and equipped to thrive in a healthy, vibrant community.

Goals & Guardrails  Printable Copy

Goals

Our GOALS are the student outcomes we are committed to achieving. They tell us what success should look like for our students and help us measure our progress toward those outcomes.

Goal One - Early Literacy

The percentage of 4th graders demonstrating proficient/advanced performance in Reading on the OSTP will increase from 25% in August 2024 to 40% by August 2030.

Goal Two - Mid-Level Math

The percentage of 8th graders demonstrating proficient/advanced performance in Math on the OSTP will increase from 11% in August 2024 to 20% by August 2030.

Goal Three - Post Secondary Opportunities

The percentage of students in 11th and 12th grade who have completed a postsecondary option will increase from 37% in August 2024 to 69% in August 2030 as measured by the Postsecondary Opportunities measure on the OSDE School Report Card.

Guardrails

Our GUARDRAILS are the important conditions we are committed to protecting as we work toward our goals. They help ensure that every student has what they need to learn, grow and succeed along the way.

Guardrail 1 - Life Skills

The superintendent shall not fail to ensure that life skills learning is incorporated into the student educational experience.

In OKCPS, life skills, which we call “E Skills,” are the important abilities students need to succeed both inside and outside of school. These skills get scholars ready for their next steps, whether that means enrolling in college, entering the workforce, or enlisting in the military. The “E” stands for:

  • Essential skills like communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, and managing time that support all areas of life and learning
  • Enrollability skills that help students succeed in higher education, such as sticking with academic goals, speaking up for themselves, setting goals, and good study habits
  • Employability skills needed for work, including teamwork, professionalism, flexibility, and managing money
  • Enlistability qualities valued by the military like discipline, working well with others, resilience, and following routines

Guardrail 2 - Literacy Instruction and Engagement

The superintendent shall not permit instructional practices that deprioritize foundational literacy, particularly reading and writing development, in early and middle grades.

Foundational literacy is a critical priority for student success and a choice-filled life. 

Guardrail 3 - Advanced Learning Access

The superintendent shall not diminish or restrict access to advanced learning opportunities for advanced learners as a means of addressing or narrowing the achievement gap.

Students who are ready for advanced learning should have access to appropriate opportunities, regardless of other district initiatives.

Guardrail 4 - Fair Access to Enriching Opportunities

The superintendent shall not allow disparities in access to enriching programs such as fine arts, extracurriculars, rigorous coursework, or instructional support across school communities.