Oklahoma reclassification for private schools and public schools

   We've examined some of the unique advantages that many private schools utilize to dominate the public competition in high school activities and sports. Many of those private school advantages are confirmed by private schools, such as "tuition waivers" (more commonly known as scholarships), superior facilities, and selective enrollment (more commonly called "cherry picking"). Several other  factors which enhance a private school's ability to dominate the public school competition includes the recruiting of athletes, which is often denied by private schools - because "recruiting" is very hard to prove. From an article in The Denver Post: The almost unenforceable gray area (in high school "recruiting"), however, is monitoring talented middle-schoolers being recruited by coaches, parents, and high school representatives. Multiple sources confirmed this practice is widespread in metro Denver, by both public and private schools... Multiple sources in Oklahoma have also confirmed this practice is widespread in Oklahoma City as well as rural Oklahoma.
   The Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association (OSSAA) realized that many private schools were taking advantage of the several weapons at their disposal, thereby dominating the public school competition during the early 1990's. Some member schools of the OSSAA began efforts to "level the playing field" for private and public competition, but it wasn't until 2012 that "classification rules" were changed to allay the "private school advantages". It's now been 5 years since Rule 14 has been in effect, so we've examined if the rule has been successful in "leveling the playing field". Data and analysis of statistics indicate the answer is a resounding "NO", Rule 14 has not been effective! The same private schools which used "unfair advantages" to dominate the public school competition in a particular classification, is still dominating the public school competition even after moving up one classification level, and sometimes two classification levels! (See Victory Christian volleyball).
   So, if advancing a private school up "one classification level" (if the school meets a specific success threshold), has not been effective for "leveling the playing field" - what rule or legislated law would be effective? Almost all 50 states are dealing with, or dealt with the same private/public issue - so we can look to what other states have done to "level the playing field" between private schools and public schools.
Georgia - In 2000, Georgia passed a 1.5 multiplier formula for private schools to determine which classification a private school would play. For instance, if a private school had 334 students (hint: HH), it was multiplied by 1.5, which means it would compete for championships in the classification befitting 501 students. After 8 years, the "multiplier formula" in Georgia ended, as data showed that the multiplier did not impact the percentage of private schools winning state titles. Separation of private and public schools for playoffs in specific classifications was approved in 2012.
New York - It classifies all private schools into divisions based on past success, enrollment, and level of competition. (Public schools and private schools are separated).
Virginia - There are separate tournaments and state associations for public and private schools.
Texas - There are separate associations for public and private schools.
Tennesee - Schools are split into two divisions: Division I for publics and privates that don't provide financial aid or tuition waivers, and Division II for privates that offer financial aid - including but not limited to scholarships, tuition waivers, salaried jobs. Also, a 1.8 multiplier is applied to privates in Division I.

   While no two states are exactly alike demographically, Oklahoma is similar to several states in population, public school and private school participation in athletic associations, etc... I have a personal friend who coaches high school football in Georgia, so I ask him why the "multiplier system" did not work for "leveling the playing field" between private schools and public schools. He told me that some private schools discovered they could "game the system", by controlling their student numbers. Some private schools began to increase enrollment so they could belong to the classification assigned . For instance, the 1.5 multiplier assigned a private school with 500 students with public schools that had 750 students. Since the private school could control its student numbers (which public schools cannot do), it soon had 750 students over time. In another instance, a private school advanced to a higher classification under the "multiplier" rule. It then began to reduce student numbers, so it could belong to a lower classification when divisions were realigned (every two years for football, just like Oklahoma). Some private schools "manipulated student numbers" to belong to their chosen classification. The "multiplier rule" was in effect "useless" for leveling the playing field between privates and publics. Oklahoma, it appears, is traveling down the same road Georgia took in leveling the playing field in high school sports. While I realize that high school sports are not quite as important to many Oklahomans as they are to me... they are crucial in our rural communities, and so is a level playing field for our public school students... and if the OSSAA will not solve this inequity problem, then our rural communities must solve it... Think about that...
Update: More evidence of private school domination as created by the OSSAA - Since 1940, no public school has won more state titles than Ada, with 68. Even though Ada has been winning state championships in all sports for the last 77 years, it pales in comparison to Bishop Kelly, a private school, which has won 102 state titles... since 1967.
   After analyzing all factual evidence above, as well as in previous articles, it has become crystal clear that private schools have dominated the public school competition in Oklahoma, because of many systemic advantages provided by the OSSAA. After examining the data from other state associations, it also is clear that Oklahoma private schools have dominated their public counterparts at a higher level, than any other state! So, how can we "level the playing field" for private schools and public schools in the OSSAA?
   Most suggestions are similar to what Tennessee or Georgia utilizes to level the playing field: Oklahoma could separate private and public schools which provide financial aid from private and public schools which do not. The "financial aid" schools could be subdivided into "class A" and "class B" (based on enrollment or ADM). The financial aid schools could schedule the non-financial aid schools during the regular seasons (which would eliminate the scheduling problem for private schools), but be separated for the OSSAA playoffs. I believe this brief answer to the problem, would be acceptable for both private schools and public schools in the OSSAA.
Update: I'd really like to hear from private school advocates and any OSSAA officials concerning the viability of the above reclassification plan. If you think I'm just "whistling in the wind", let me know. I do know that several OSSAA officials as well as many private school advocates read this column, so please express your opinion in the comments section of this post. Also, you may read the article in a New Jersey newspaper, and answer the poll question to express your opinion. Remember, silence means agreement - so please respond.