Oklahoma parents, students, educators, business/community leaders and legislators knew the facts and worked to support these common-sense solutions.
“Oklahoma is operating under a few outdated and restrictive policies that are negatively impacting our kids. As parents, we should be aware of and upset about these policies, and we should want and demand change.”
“The ability to choose the school that works best for your child is a right all parents should have. We need a new and improved transfer policy that opens up more of this opportunity and provides support for our students in these challenging times.”
“By giving more funding per student in the state aid formula and parents more freedom to choose the public school that best meets their family’s needs, we are moving things in a positive direction for Oklahoma education.”
Bridge the Gap Digital Wallet awarded $1,500 grants directly to 5,000 Oklahoma families who made at or below 185% of the federal poverty line. EKCO happily volunteered to assist with the Bridge the Gap Digital Wallet program solely by communicating with families about the program and how to apply. It was our honor to assist families in this way. EKCO did not receive any funding to do this work.
Families filled out an application with ClassWallet, and ClassWallet managed the digital accounts for the families. EKCO was not part of the screening of families to receive the grants. Grant funds were used by families to purchase curriculum content, supplies, tutoring services and technology. The grants were funded by The Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) fund through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Not one dollar went to, or went through EKCO as part of the Bridge the Gap Digital Wallet program.