Public education is the most significant investment we can make. It impacts everything from culture to the economy. Yet consistently we have failed to reform public education and provide maximum funding to make it a premier system.
The governor promised over two terms to make Oklahoma a top 10 state. However, rankings steadily decline. We are last in education and not near top 10 in other key categories.
The Founding Fathers regarded public education as a cornerstone of democracy. Supreme Court Justice Brandeis said, ”the classroom is the laboratory of democracy. It’s a place of learning, free thinking and forging of citizens and critical thinkers.”
The Oklahoma Constitution states, “The Legislature shall establish and maintain a system of free public schools wherein all the children of the State may be educated.”
Decades of research confirms strong education is essential to economic growth. An educated workforce insures available employees, higher paying jobs and productivity. Businesses rely on an available, educated workforce.