Protect TPS is a grassroots coalition of Tulsa parents and community members who support local control of our public schools. We attend local and state school board meetings, organize rallies, and reach out to local and state policymakers in defense of our schools and children. Join us today to learn how you can push back against attacks on our schools, correct misinformation about TPS, and speak up local control that puts Tulsa kids and parents first.
Our Origins
In 2022, we began organizing Tulsa-area community members and leaders to promote good-faith self-governance of our board and released a full-page ad in the Tulsa World with over 500 signatures:
We, the undersigned, hold firm expectations for the district leaders and board members of Tulsa Public Schools to act on behalf of the thousands of Tulsa students and families they serve by:
- Honoring the expertise and experience of TPS administrators, educators, and families;
- Engaging in good-faith governance;
- Leading with humility and respect; and
- Collaborating to ensure all children in our community are healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged as learners.
We stand with our TPS district leaders and board members who:
- Put the interests and concerns of students, families, and educators at the center of every discussion and every decision;
- Contribute to honest, reasoned dialogue;
- Reject divisive rhetoric that distracts from the effective governance of our schools; and
- Build pathways to opportunities for our students.
Because we believe in the power of public education, we will invest our time, energy, and resources to ensure our schools continue to provide powerful learning experiences for students, and we will remain united in our support of Tulsa Public Schools and all who carry out its mission in good faith for the benefit of our community.
In 2023, we began organizing 20 small groups comprised of Tulsa-area community members who activated countless strategies to protect TPS from unfounded attacks from within and from state politicians. In many ways, that work succeeded but is far from complete. Recap our journey on Instagram starting at our first post in August 2023.