We're hiring fellows for summer 2023!

Position: Research Fellowship—Education Policy

Background

Oklahoma Appleseed is a recently-formed statewide nonprofit with a mission to increase justice

and opportunity for all Oklahomans. Joining a national network of similar organizations, Oklahoma Appleseed advances its mission by addressing systemic barriers to justice at the root. One of Oklahoma Appleseed’s strategic issue areas is education justice. In 2011, Oklahoma was 17th in education, nationwide.(1) Today, Oklahoma is ranked 49th.(2)

In just 12 years, our public education system slipped 32 spots in the national rankings. The

question OK Appleseed is asking: Why?

Our Education Policy Research Project will focus on a comprehensive explanation of the

Oklahoma public education funding process and mechanisms, including 1) state appropriations;

2) state dedicated revenues; 3) local revenue; and 4) federal revenue in the context of our

fall from 17th to 49th in education rankings put out by EdWeek’s Quality Score Initiative.

Public education is the lifeblood of civic engagement, we hope to examine the course of events

that has ostensibly reduced the quality of education across the state and what can be done to

correct the course.

Position Summary

The Oklahoma Appleseed Research Fellowship program was designed to provide opportunities

for current law students with an interest in advancing Oklahoma Appleseed’s mission to increase justice and opportunity for all Oklahomans. This particular project is also open to education graduate students and current or former Oklahoma certified teachers with at least 3 years of recent public school classroom experience. Oklahoma Appleseed is committed to providing training, mentorship and support to our fellows throughout and beyond their terms of service. The fellow(s) will research the public education system and the factors that have contributed to a 32 place drop in national rankings, with a focus on public education funding at the federal, state, and local level. A report will be generated that will make this historic drop accessible to the greater public and lay the foundation for possible reform. The fellow may also be featured in written and video communications about the research and recommendations.

Eligibility

Fellowship applicants must currently be either a rising 2L or 3L at an accredited law school, an

education graduate student, or an Oklahoma certified teacher with at least 3 years of recent public school classroom experience.

Preference will be given to Oklahoma based students and teachers because part of the goal of

the fellowship is to educate future Oklahoma leaders regarding the systemic challenges the public education system faces.

The ideal candidate will have an interest and background in public education, legislation, and

policy.

Requirements

● Knowledge and skill in research, writing for public audiences, analyzing statutes and secondary research materials.

● Experience in creating research proposals

● Fast learner and good at time management

Performance Expectations

● Demonstrate high level of personal accountability and work ethic, taking initiative and regularly reporting on progress through verbal and written communication

● Align work performance with organizational mission and values

● Add value to start-up legal advocacy nonprofit corporation culture

● Conduct research with integrity, taking a methodological and detail-oriented approach, using

analytical and problem-solving abilities

● Be positive, professional, self-motivated, curious and open to learning

● Ability to be a team player

Project Deliverables

Work plans, research log and progress reports, drafts, revisions, and final products of research;

any other final deliverables (i.e., a presentation).

Term: June 5 - August 18, 2023 (up to 10 weeks), plus orientation June 1-2, 2023.

Benefits & Compensation: $15.00/hour (on contract) up to 20 hours/week; training, mentorship,

and support

To Apply: Email your resume to [leslie] at [okappleseed] dot [org] and attach a deliverable you are proud of having created (e.g., a paper, research project, presentation, etc.). A cover letter, video, presentation, or other creative work highlighting your previous experience and interest in this role is optional. Applications may be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position(s) are filled. We intend to reach out to applicants as resumes come in.