OKLAHOMA A+ SCHOOLS

The three defining components of Oklahoma A+ Schools are professional development, networking, and research. With a mission to advance a quality, whole school experience to nurture the creative learner, Oklahoma A+ is one of the country’s most successful education reform models with strong emphasis on arts integration. In 2001, the Kirkpatrick Foundation provided seed funding to the Davinci Institute for the establishment of Oklahoma A+ Schools. In 2002, this partnership was expanded to include the University of Central Oklahoma, the Oklahoma School of Science and Math, the Windgate and Reynolds Foundations.

From this early beginning, Oklahoma A+ Schools has grown from an initial 6 school network to over 50 schools throughout Oklahoma. Finding a permanent home at the University of Central Oklahoma and joint research conducted by the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University, it receives support from the Oklahoma State Legislature as well as additional funders.  Over four years of research demonstrate the effectiveness of the model and its’ positive impact on student achievement. The Kirkpatrick Foundation leadership, expertise and vision enabled the initial convening, building an organizational infrastructure and leveraging funding to establish Oklahoma A+ as a state and national leader in school reform.

OKLAHOMA CREATIVITY PROJECT 

    The Oklahoma Creativity Project is a collaborative, statewide initiative supporting a mission to establish Oklahoma as a world-renowned center of creativity and innovation in commerce, culture and education. The Kirkpatrick Foundation provided the initial seed monies to launch this effort.
In October 2005, an invitational meeting was hosted by Governor Brad Henry, which brought together over 150 leading figures from business, education and the cultural sectors from across Oklahoma. The meeting gave strong support to promoting a statewide initiative to promote higher levels of creativity and innovation in all areas of Oklahoma life. Creative Oklahoma, Inc., the sponsoring organization, has four basic goals to:

1. Leverage existing creativity and elevate the creative potential of Oklahomans;

2. Empower all Oklahomans to develop their capacity for creativity and innovation;

3. Facilitate the growth of an entrepreneurial economy that will stimulate new careers, companies and industries;

4. Facilitate the further development of world-class cultural and educational opportunities.

The Oklahoma Creativity Project will include initiatives that result in new, marketable ideas, and more effective processes of innovation that capitalize on existing strengths in Oklahoma and take them to higher levels.

CONSERVATION EDUCATION INITIATIVE

    The Kirkpatrick Foundation’s history of giving in the area of the environment includes both the man-made and natural environment. The Foundation seeks ways to further support efforts in these areas with the hope of developing strong environmental stewardship within Central Oklahoma. This stewardship is a responsibility that must be nurtured and developed. Because the built and natural environments must work complementary to each other, education regarding the natural and built environments should include:

1. an understanding of how the ecosystem impacts people and the built environment and vice versa;

2. how personal, neighborhood and community choices impact the quality of life - short and long-term for everyone;

3. Study of air, soil and water quality, green spaces and well-designed spaces that are ecologically sensitive and people-friendly is essential.

    To that end the Foundation initiated the Conservation Education Initiative in 2007, bringing together some 20 agencies and organizations to discuss resources and pressing environmental issues to Oklahoma. As a result of dialogue within the group, an initial focus on water conservation emerged as a priority issue but evolved to the more inclusive theme of conservation education.  The Nature Conservancy will spearhead the effort by featuring an interactive web site devoted to the common issue of conservation education on their web site.