You may have seen a number of times, scenes from Marine Corps’ Boot Camp.  The mental and physical work is very hard, but it does result in producing America’s finest fighting force.

Most of us wish that the world did not need such forces, but we do.  You can go from China, the Middle East, to ISIS and the countless African revolutions to find those who would harm our country.  Even in our own backyard, countless illegals are at the gate.  We knew they were citizens whose governments did not want them with no education, no belongings, no sponsors and, at the least. they are re-introducing polio to the United States.  Gavin Newsom, who is running for California governor, promised everyone free medical care if elected.  No wonder they are coming.  We know the Democrats need their immediate votes if the Democrat party is to survive beyond 2028.  The question is will this also include some new form of polio?

Well, let’s return to Marine Corps boot camp.  What the desire at boot camp is to train young Marines to work together as a team to overcome any obstacle and accomplish the mission.

One example of working to the greater good is a drill where a squad of Marines, which might number 15 individuals, picks up a huge log and lifts it over their heads.  Such a feat cannot be done by one person let alone – even 10 Marines.  All troopers are needed.  Even if one person fails the drill may collapse.

I like this example, because it shows how dysfunctional Oklahoma’s education community really is.  We have many stakeholders who are expected to lift their part of the log and just cannot do it for wholly self-servicing purposes.

Who do we expect to lift the education log?  Well, first of all, it’s the parents who should want the best for their children. Otherwise, why not buy a pet?  Then come the teachers who are professionals and should be able to teach a classroom of children.  Then comes the community, which comes together to provide the funding for a school and teacher salaries.  Then comes those who want to lift the log but have other intentions and goals in mind.  These are the administrators and legislators.

The Oklahoma legislator is fully in control of Oklahoma’s pathetic education outcomes results.  Everything needs their approval.  The governor has no power and the Supreme Court is terrified the legislature might cut their salaries or term limit them.

Where all the administration came from is anyone’s guess.  At one time, all Oklahoma counties had a county education superintendent to go along with, at today’s date, 515 superintendents.  Florida has 78. Most Oklahoma supers make $100,000 or more.

Now, let’s look at the stakeholders.  In Oklahoma, parents can’t even feed their children and the problem is expected to rise.  No one bought a pet.  According to the Tulsa World, the average number of after-school suppers in Oklahoma in 2016 was 6,735.  In 2017 the number rose to 14,887.  Remember, this goes with breakfast, lunch and now dinner.  Public schools must fund all 3 meals.

In most low-performing schools, the PTA is nearly non-existent.  Now, to the teachers.  Who is life- or college-ready when they graduate from public education? 

Only 16 percent of the graduating class of 2018 in Oklahoma are college ready.  The national average is 27 percent. Unfortunately, feeding the children trumps an above average learning experience.

And what about the community?   Today most rural communities do not tax themselves for education.  They prefer getting money from the school formula that comes from the Metropolitan cities.  And the administrators would rather lose an arm than consolidate any of the 515 school districts.

Many of the administrators and legislators are opposed to district consolidation.   They make the argument that to consolidate would cause the loss of the local high school, which is not true.  Keep your Mustangs.  What is wanted is to consolidate school districts and their administrations.  Many of which are only a few miles apart.

Well, there you have it.  None of the education stakeholders are on your side.  They have always been on one side and used the press, unions and the Democrat party to hide the facts.

Don’t expect any change from Drew Edmondson.  Kevin Stitt will improve Oklahoma regardless of how poorly education is run.