State Rep. Jim Olsen
How can we give a quality education to our young people? We know that this is vital to our future as a state, and to the success of our youth in the 20th century.
But what are the ingredients of a quality education? Here are some things that are important:
Proper funding is critical to a proper quality education. Over the last 2 years, the Legislature has increased education spending by 26%, in addition to aggressive pay raises of over $7,000 for teachers.
Additionally, Gov. Stitt has stated that he is open to the idea of allowing localities to increase ad valorem, or property taxes, in order to fund education in a greater way. I’m not sure what I think of this idea. There are numerous pros and cons to consider. What local voters and taxpayers think about this is what is most important.
Other items that are critical to a quality education are discipline, order and respect for authority. The home, of course, is the foundation and the most important place to learn these things. Many teachers leave their profession because of a lack of disciple, order and respect.
This is in part the teacher’s responsibility within their classroom, but this burden is shared by their administrators, the local school board and students’ parents or guardians.
There was a time when we trained our children to respect authority and say “yes sir” and “yes ma’am.” There was a time when we gave spankings for disobedient and disrespectful children. The rod and reproof give wisdom. We need to return to that time. I am thankful that some of our local schools try to implement some of these practices!
Our schools need quality curriculum that honors the founders of our great nation. We don’t need politically correct multiculturalism that cannot distinguish between good and evil.
We need parental involvement at home to support what children learn at school. Teachers can’t do it alone! Parents need to read to their children and interact with them on what they are studying. Parents need to provide a responsible, stable and moral home life as a foundation so their children can succeed in life.
What else do we need for a quality education for our children? If we look to the founding fathers, we find that we must honor God and his Word. The first public school law was passed in Massachusetts in 1647 to ensure that students knew the Bible and its principles.
Benjamin Rush, who is regarded as the father of public schools, stated “the Bible should be read in our schools, in preference to all other books.” The US Supreme Court ruled unanimously in 1844 that the Bible must be taught in American schools.
With all of these ingredients mixed just right together, I believe we will provide a quality education for our young people and prepare them for great success in life.
Rep. Jim Olsen represents District 2 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which includes portions of Sequoyah County.
For more news stories stay tuned to The MIX 105.1 or visit www.kxmx.com
Rep. Olsen, as a registered Republican and a public school teacher here in Oklahoma, I simply cannot agree with any of your points. "Respect for authority" works great for kids who grow up in sheltered, stable, two-parent homes. But for poor children and children of color, "authority" is often actively working to marginalize and disenfranchise them. They see it in their schools: compared to white kids, black and brown kids get harsher punishments for similar offenses. They also see it in the media, where the police gun down innocent blacks for absolutely no reason, while our president regularly degrades Latinos (including the ones who come here legally, which many do). They're told by authority figures that their culture, even their humanity, is invalid and unwelcome. How are they supposed to respect that? I'm white and middle class; my students are mostly low-income and non-white. But I have hardly any discipline issues in my room because I don't demand that my kids respect me; rather, I lead by example and EARN their respect.
ReplyDeleteYou also talk about how parents need to step up. Again, easy to do for families from sheltered, well-off backgrounds. But what about parents who have to work two or three jobs just to make ends meet? What about parents who dropped out with a middle school education and aren't literate enough to read to their children? What about parents who abuse their children, or traumatize their children by abusing each other? What about parents who are so addicted to drugs or alcohol that they can't raise their children properly? What about parents who aren't emotionally fit to raise children? What about parents who are locked up in jail (most of whom are there for victimless crimes, I might add)? I agree that children shouldn't have to deal with any of this at home, but they do. What's YOUR plan to remedy this? As a leader, you can't decry lack of discipline or parent involvement without a plan to address the issues that affect a large number of Oklahoma households.
I won't even begin to get into your dream of Oklahoma schools becoming a Christian theocracy. For someone who claims to revere the founding fathers, you're surely familiar with the fact that our government "shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." As a Christian, I believe in following Christ's example and being a good servant to everyone, especially those who don't share our religious or cultural background (there are several parables in the Bible that instruct Christians to do this). If we impose the Bible on our students, we're no better than the Taliban. If you REALLY want to "honor the founders of this great nation," as you say you do, then honor the Constitution and the principles of the Gospel, rather than trying to implement the draconian laws and practices of the Old Testament.
Rep. Olsen, you clearly have a lot to learn. I pray that the Lord may guide you to understand, rather than sneer at, students with backgrounds and upbringings that are different from your own. Your job is a legislator is to find solutions, not spread around blame for the problems. I trust that you will work with your fellow legislators (regardless of party) to help our schools support all our students in a meaningful, judgment-free way.
Yours,
Brian T. Broderick
National Board Certified Teacher
thank you Brian... well stated Olsen is obviously a man of privilege.
DeleteYou should read the letter Senator Lankford wrote me about Trump. tow the party line, tow the party line. What IS the GOP party line these days?