In a state where it’s always a tough time to be a public school teacher, we’re seeing new lows in state revenue, intellectual honesty, and warm fuzzies towards public ed. It matters, and many of the strongest edu-bloggers and reporters in the state are writing and analyzing and challenging and inspiring all over this mess. You should totally go read them (start here or here if you’re not sure where to begin).
But this weekend, in this weekly wrap-up, we’re not worrying about all that – not right this moment. We’re thinking ’bout something else for a bit – something other than news.
This is easily my favorite Blues Brothers tribute video filmed on Greenwood that also features Weird Al alongside Tulsa’s own Hanson shut-up-I-like-them.
Stuff You Shouldn’t Miss From This Past Week…
Learning to Listen – Jennifer Williams, aka JennWillTeach, shares a week-long series of strategies for helping kids worry less about grades and more about – get this – learning and appreciating literature and music and stuff – and they didn’t even have to use their ESA Vouchers to go to a ‘good school’! I love everything about this approach, and I don’t even teach English. You will, too. Love Jenn’s approach on the Twitters at @jennwillteach. #oklaed
Keeping People At The Center – Kris Giere of Involuntary Verbosity puts I Corinthians 13 back on his stairs (metaphorically enough). “What if the point of love is not the emotion itself but the people… the missing connection between us and the best versions of ourselves?” If you don’t love your kids, folks – you’re doing it wrong. Love Kris on the Twitters at @KrisGiere.
Complicated: What Westerns Mean to Me #Western106 – Maha Bali, on Reflecting Allowed, responds to a… it appears there was a… You know what? Never mind why she wrote this. I was entranced. On Western movies and Country music, colonialism and being ‘the other’. And Country music. I wonder if she’ll be my friend? Be entranced by Bali on the Twitters at @Bali_Maha, and wear your boots.
The Art of War, The Art of Judgment – Dan Tricarico, aka The Zen Teacher, shares an experience of which he’s not particularly proud. I don’t know about you, but I often find those much more encouraging than the ones where everything goes the way you’d hoped. He also underestimates how well he handles a situation in which I’d be… less Zen than he. Perhaps I should change my blog title to ‘The Perpetually Spittling Rage Teacher’ – but would that even sell? Follow Dan on the Twitters at @TheZenTeacher.
Excuses, Excuses – L.Z. Marie onLZMarieAuthor.com takes on writers’ excuses for not, well… writing. Thing is, they sound uncomfortably like the excuses my students use, and you use, and, um… I use… to avoid just about anything I know I’ll feel better if I do, but don’t. Plus, she’s just snarky enough to make you like being abused by her. More, L.Z. – scold me harder. Benefit from L.Z.’s abuse on the Twitters at @LZMarieAuthor.
Questions for Educator Consideration – John Bennett, on Considerations (no relation to Rep. John Bennett of the Oklahoma legislature) responds to Seth Godin’s “Ten Questions For Work That Matters.” I love how comfortably Bennett prompts us to think through the important things again – defenses down, minds clear, no need for pithy wordplay or clever snark. I suspect my blood pressure would go down if I worked across the hall from him. Follow Bennett on the Twitters at @jcbjr. (Honorary #oklaed)
Finally, From Just Outside the Edu-Blogs…
A Woman Called Bitter – Maralee Bradley, Her View From Home. “A couple weeks ago I listened to a sermon about Ruth. As part of the backstory the pastor talked about Naomi’s transition to the name Mara and what a miserable name that would be to have. That part of the sermon felt a little personal to me… If you look for the meaning of my name, it is the same – bitter.” This one’s not about the classroom or edu-policy or child development. But read it – I’m positive there’s a reason I couldn’t let it go until I included it here. Follow Bradely on Twitter at @amusingmaralee or on her own blog, A Musing Maralee: Welcome To My Circus.
Go be amazing this week. No weariness, no hesitation, no rational thoughts of giving up and moving on. We are fools whether or not we dance – so we might as well dance.
To be fair, in this profession, we kinda have to be. Trying to steer 34 teenagers at a time into meaningful learning while trapped in a concrete box an hour at a time against their will requires, well… a certain amount of stubbornness. Sometimes it works, other times – not so much.
But you try again the next hour. You come back the next day and adjust. Refusing to give in is a job requirement.
You get tired of cautious price-checking as you shop for groceries, or putting on your best face while you limit how many back-to-school clothes can come from Target before going back to the… usual places. Your friends don’t mean any harm when they share their vacation stories or invite you to that restaurant they chose to ‘accommodate your budget,’ but – SERIOUSLY? They don’t even have a kids’ menu there!
It takes stubbornness to love your chosen path anyway. To decide it matters on those many days you DON’T have motivational breakthrough with little Bobo and his tearful thanks for all you do.
If you stay in this profession long, you start to notice that every year or two the BIG-FIXIT-PLAN-THAT-WILL-SAVE-US-ALL comes to your district and dominates every faculty meeting and required PD day. Touting examples from schools nothing like yours in communities your kids will never live in, we slap this year’s program on top of the past dozen we’ll now ignore but never acknowledge enough to remove.
It takes a rather bullheaded individual to learn how to either surf those waves or let them wash over you without pulling you under. It takes a stubborn soul to resist bitterness towards those genuinely trying to help or apathy towards legitimate personal and professional improvement.
So, yeah – we’re a difficult bunch.
It’s a given in Oklahoma that nothing done at the capital is intended to help your kids do or learn anything meaningful. We don’t all burden ourselves with trying to keep up with the jumble of agendas, vendettas, naïve intentions, or other factors in play. Some of us follow a few bills and could name several ‘good’ and ‘bad’ legis up there, while others choose to tune it out and simply do our best – knowing that sophistry and power always have and always will seek to undercut and disparage us. Our kids are just collateral damage in battles that have little to do with education, ‘standards,’ or preparation for a rich, meaningful life.
Before I even read the paper or the latest press releases from OKC, I’ve assumed the position – defensive, cynical, and a bit pissed off. Because I know people I care about are about to take it again – hard and without dinner.
It’s become my new normal. I don’t blame others for trying not to get wrapped up in it – although it’s like pretending you don’t have cancer, or that your spouse isn’t fooling around when it’s obvious to everyone else. Ignoring it rarely fixes it; “optimism” is a poor substitute for responsibility.
So yeah – showing up every day and trying to make a difference takes some stubbornness. Working the political process takes a healthy dose of mule-headed optimism. Pretending we can win – professionally, politically, personally – it all takes some pretty iffy grit.
In short, teachers are a pain in the ass. Big surprise.
But I’m going into 2016 with an open mind. It’s a new year, a new legislative session, and a new round of draconian budget cuts. Why not new ideologies and understandings as well? Maybe I’m wrong about some things. Maybe we’re ALL wrong about any NUMBER of contentious issues.
I’m ready and willing to learn. Eyes open. Please… show me. I know you think you’ve said it all before, explained it all already – but so have we. Let’s try just once more? For the children?
May I please see examples of students who were ‘trapped’ in failing schools, unable to pursue other options on their own, but received vouchers and flourished? Kids who weren’t going to private schools already? It would be great to have a few anecdotal examples for that ‘personal’ connection, and then maybe some numbers on how that’s worked out in similar states or communities to our own.
If it’s not too much trouble.
Oh, and bonus points for actual low-income students of color. Your rhetoric constantly hints they’re the primary beneficiaries, but you never quite come out and actually say so…
While we’re on school choice, may I please see some examples of public schools who are so very thankful for the implementation of vouchers? I know we’ve been pretty up in arms about our funds being cut as state and federal requirements continue to grow, but the rhetoric from the right is that public schools will benefit greatly from fewer students and less money, because… percentage-numbers-choice, and America-freedom-eagle-truth.
I’m ready to sincerely consider your examples, and their stories. Seriously.
Of course it’s not just taking away resources that improves schools – it’s public shaming. We’ve been fighting one another for years now over this annual A-F state report card thing. I’ll admit this – teachers do get touchy about accountability. We don’t like it when you accuse our kids of being stupid, and we don’t like it when you suggest we’re lazy and incompetent.
It becomes a bit of a vicious cycle – you keep cutting and regulating us out of the ability to do anything useful, and when we have trouble accomplishing all we’re trying to, you feel like the few resources you funnel our way are being wasted.
But both the OKSDE website and the annual rhetoric from our State Legislature is clear – schools landing on the low end of that A-F list will receive increased support – training – mentoring – guidance – resources – from the state, yes? There’s a reference to using ‘spurs’ on us I’m not crazy about, but other than that…
It’s not to shame anyone, or to further stereotype the most marginalized, vulnerable, and disenfranchised segments of our state’s population – it’s to identify need, and inform parents who can’t otherwise possibly figure out if their child is going to a good school or not.
I’m ready to focus more on the ways the state tries to meet the needs of underperformers, but I’ve been too caught up in my own frustration to pay attention to that part. May I please have some examples of schools you’ve turned around through careful diagnoses and tough love? Some stats fitting their stories into a larger state context would be helpful as well, thanks.
Finally – and I appreciate your patience, I know I’m putting a lot on your plate here – could you explain this ‘trickle down’ thing in the state economy again? I’ve been a bit close-minded in my recent frustration, and I’m having trouble with the details.
As oil prices fall, earthquakes increase, and the national economy recovers, we fight against federal dollars because Obama-gay-terror-federalism, and Hitler-slavery, right? (And you thought I didn’t listen!) You keep cutting taxes on the top sliver of wealthiest citizens and businesses in Oklahoma because we cannot tax ourselves into prosperity – so if we eliminate state revenue altogether… we’re rich?
That’s where I’m confused.
I know there’s a balance of sorts, and that high enough tax rates kill growth. But may I please see examples of how cutting the obligations of the most prosperous has led to more jobs, more state revenue, more services, more prosperity – in OUR state, recently?
Someone – the Governor, maybe? – was trying to convince me recently that our budgetary woes are primarily the result of falling oil prices or ISIS or something. I’d like you to know I jumped to your defense! If there’s one thing you’ve been consistent about over the years, it’s that you’re not interested in excuses when the results aren’t what you’ve mandated. You believe in accountability! Taking responsibility! Making the touch choices so the important numbers go higher!
I respect you too much to pretend you don’t have absolute and total control over what happens to the state and every numeric result therein. Poor outcomes means you’re either lazy or poorly trained, and how insulting would it be to hear THAT repeatedly every time you can’t work miracles?
Besides, if the State Legislature has zero influence on the economy, why do we even bother having you? You could be out in the schools, showing us again how to do the learning gooder instead. You should have a talk with that Governor. She doesn’t understand how this stuff works – not the way you do.
Thank you so much for your patience with us! We’ll try to be more open-minded and reasonable, and I look forward to your explanations and examples. Don’t be afraid to use small words and clear visuals. I’m a teacher, after all, and you know better than anyone what THAT means.
Yeah, I’m sick of hearing it, too. Let’s just move on.
My time and energy outside of my darlings in my actual classroom have been largely devoted to #OKElections16, and trying to create a resource for those ready to get serious about changing a few things in this state. I’ll spare you my whining, but I confess it’s not nearly as much fun as my typical carrying on. I am, however, committed to do this until November 2016 – not for me, of course… but for THE CHILDREN!
Fortunately for all of us, there’s SO MUCH GREAT EDU-BLOGGING HAPPENING RIGHT NOW! Probably more than you can keep up with on your own, and many by folks MUCH cooler than me.
Here are a few you absolutely shouldn’t miss from the past week or so…
My Daughter Is Not A Widget – Steven Singer on gadflyonthewallblog was not impressed by a recent scolding of public schools by the CEO of ExxonMobil. Singer rejects the suggestion that our children are goods produced only for consumption by a competitive marketplace and the convenience of the powers-that-be. In fact, he takes it rather personally, in one of the best bursts of poignant edu-outrage I’ve ever read. Be poignant and/or outraged with @stevensinger3 on the Twittering.
My Word for 2016 – Rob Miller on A View From the Edge just had to respond to a challenge about ‘one word’ for the coming year. The result contains great perspective, intentional hope, and a mindset many of us could stand to emulate a bit, but don’t tell him I said so – we don’t want to encourage any more positivity than absolutely necessary. Follow @edgeblogger on the Twitters, or you suck. #oklaed
#OneWord: Purpose – Rick Cobb on OKEducationTruths responds to the same challenge with a slightly different approach. I’ll warn you in advance, though, that it’s also pretty positive and inspiring and determined and such, so… be prepared. Follow @OkEducation on the Twitterings, or you double dog suck. #oklaed
Students, Not Standards: Calling for Solidarity in 2016 – P.L. Thomas on The Becoming Radical calls us to help students learn themselves, to find ways to help them fall in love with reading even if it’s different than our reading, and to recommit ourselves to teaching students, not standards. Which, come to think of it, is the title of the piece – so that worked out. Follow @plthomasEdD on the Twitters and stretch your paradigms a bit.
Simple Sabotage (h/t CIA) – Peter Greene at Curmudgucation looks at the recently declassified CIA handbook on sabotage and discovers a guidebook to most #edreform and #eduslation. Who knew? Oh, that’s right – all of US did, but no one wants to believe us that THEY’RE DOING IT ON PURPOSE! Of course you already follow @palan57 on the Twitters, yes?
I haven’t responded myself as of yet, but holy hotkeys – those who have! There’s simply TOO much talent in this state – I feel like a match in the sun warehouse. If I missed anyone’s response to the challenge, let me know – it’s not intentional.
Hope/Despair Challenge – Jennifer Williams, aka @JennWillTeach, on JennWillTeach. Willliams is a kindred spirit, Charter #11FF, and kinda hot when she’s in a snit. I was curious what she’d choose for ‘Hope’. #oklaed
2016: A Real Opportunity – Rick Cobb, aka @OKEducation, on OKEducationTruths. Cobb doesn’t always share my turbid angst, but he’s not far off here – until the ‘Hope’ part, I mean. I’m glad there’s a ‘Hope’ part. #oklaed
#OklaEd Teachers: Reasons for Hope, Reasons for Despair in 2016– Mrs. Waters, aka @watersenglish, on MrsWatersEnglish. “{O}ur leaders… enact legislation and policies that end up damaging the most vulnerable students. On top of that, these leaders project their own flaws onto teachers by accusing them of not caring when we ask for more money or better working conditions.” When you get Mrs. Waters in that kind of lather, you’ve really gone and done the doin’ – she’s normally unflappable! #oklaed
Hope and Despair – John Thompson, aka @DrJohnThompson, guest-blogs on A View From The Edge. Thompson is a veteran educator and writer and sometimes intimidates me a bit, although I’m pretty sure that’s not what he’s going for. He’s just so… legit. #oklaed
Burritos, Boxes, and Buckets – A Discussion of Hope and Despair – You didn’t think we’d let Miller issue the challenge without addressing it himself, did you? OK, he did it without prompting, but I like to pretend I somehow forced the issue. Makes me feel influential and a bit tough-love-ish. #oklaed
I don’t hide my annoyances or despair. If you’ve been reading this blog at all in the past year, you don’t have to guess what puts me over the edge. But I like this challenge because it requires hope as well – intentional, chosen, pursued hope.
Pursue hope this week. As you do, keep in mind – AND I MEAN THIS WITH MANY MEANING MEANS – you’re the hope for many of them. Some know it, most don’t, and it means many different things for many different kids.
But you’re hope for them. Sometimes the only hope. Don’t $#%& it up.
Bet you thought you had a few months before you had to start seriously thinking about state elections…
This year, however, there’s something pretty important coming up a bit sooner than primaries. In fact, there’s a significant election happening in about a week.
January 12th, actually. That’s practically TODAY.
See, this past August, the Senator for District 34 – the Owasso area – resigned. Seems he’s gotten himself into some trouble with the I.R.S., and maybe done a tiny bit of embezzling or whatever. Doesn’t matter.
What matters is that he’d only served one year of his four year term. I don’t mean to go all mathy on you, but that means there are three years left on this one – and the position must be filled before the Legislature gets back to official business in February.
Scramble file campaign run-off and holy cow it’s here – special elections for District 34 on January 12th.
But, Blue – I don’t LIVE in District 34! I can’t vote there!
Inconvenient, sure – but that doesn’t mean #oklaed just sits back and hopes for happy things while we finish off the leftover pie and wonder if we should get another gym membership. You wanna make a statement before this session even starts? Maybe get a few incumbents’ attention before they go back to those voucher bills? Those state tests? That rewrite of the ‘Kill AP’ bill Fisher and Brecheen promised us?
The Republican candidate is David McClain, a Baptist minister and small business owner. I sent his campaign a short questionnaire (the same one I sent to his opponent), but as of this writing haven’t heard back.
To be fair, it was a very short time frame and these have to be hectic times for both men. And, while you and I both know I’m totes adorbs and the voice of edu-reason during #OKElections16, not everyone might have the word on this just yet. In short, I don’t want to suggest he ‘blew me off’ so much as he probably saw little reason to mess with it.
Based on his website and coverage in the Tulsa World, though, David McLain is a small-government, lower-all-the-taxes, free-market conservative. His campaign theme is “Hey! You kids get off my lawn!”
OK, I’m kidding about that last part. But here’s just a small taste from the Tulsa World, November 4th, 2015:
McLain, 45, is a Baptist pastor and owns several businesses. He flavored his responses with references to free markets, regulation, taxes and his faith.
“I have a servant’s heart,” McLain said during his introductory remarks. “I am the constitutional conservative in this race.”
The three {Republican candidates} agreed on standard Republican doctrine but shaded some points differently.
On tax policy and the state’s deepening revenue decline, for instance, McLain favored eliminating the income tax altogether…
All three denounced same-sex marriage, but Feary said “there is nothing we can do about it at the state Capitol with the way things are now.”
Williams and McLain were more pointed in their responses.
“I don’t care what people do in private … as long as it’s not in my face,” said Williams. “Making (same-sex marriage) legal is putting it in my face. This all started in the ’60s, and then we legalized abortion. When that happened, the country took a nose dive.”
“I believe marriage should be between the Lord, one woman, one man and their pastor,” said McLain.
“There is going to come a time in our lives when we have to take a stand against homosexuality. … I believe the state should get out of the way and let the Lord ordain what he ordains, one man and one woman.”
That’s all good. Most of our students aren’t going to gay marry in high school. On the other hand, this is clearly a candidate set on representing a very specific sliver of the student population. I’ll avoid speculating as to his opinions on welfare moms or bilingual families.
His opponent is J.J. Dossett, a history teacher at Owasso High School who’s been in public education for seven years. He’s also been a member of the Oklahoma Air National Guard since 2002. He served one tour of duty in Iraq and another in Afghanistan.
From the Tulsa World, September 9, 2015:
Dossett and his wife, Ashley, are the loving parents of two children and attend First Church in Owasso. In addition to working as an educator, the lifelong resident of Owasso has served as a football and basketball coach for his hometown public school for seven years. He graduated from Owasso High School in 2002 and from Oklahoma State University in 2006.
Citing a need for a voice for educators, veterans and the working class at the Oklahoma State Capitol, Dossett announced he will continue his work in the classroom while campaigning.
“Oklahoma is facing a crisis in education at this time with not enough teachers to fill spots in our classrooms,” said the candidate. “I will not abandon my students during the time it takes to campaign for this office, therefore I will continue to teach and be an active part in their lives. I will dedicate all the free time I have after work to visit with the voters across District 34 and share with them my vision to improve their lives.”
Dossett made it clear that he would represent the voice of his home area at the State Capitol and be a leader across party lines to find the right solutions for issues facing our state.
“The hardship placed on our students and educators is something I have witnessed firsthand and the blame goes back to career politicians looking out for their own interests,” said Dossett. “I will work to reduce needless testing on our students, provide local control for parents to have more of a say in how their school functions and I will champion the need for a better educational experience for these young Oklahomans who I have seen struggle with ridiculous, meaningless mandates place upon them by politicians.”
I particularly liked this bit:
Dossett indicated he will review every piece of legislation thoroughly and vote for what is best for Senate District 34 and the citizens of Oklahoma.
“We cannot continue to allow politicians to waste the taxpayer dollars at the Capitol and intrude in our personal lives,” said Dossett. “I will be a vocal champion for the working Oklahoman and support policies that provide better job opportunities, oppose any attack reducing a quality of life for our teachers, retirees, and working-class families and be a voice for those often forgotten and left behind by politicians. I will also fight against any intrusive policies from our government that seek to take away our freedoms guaranteed to us.”
So yeah – sounds like some underlying “Oklahoma values” in there. It’s not a huge shock that the military guy likes guns and personal liberty, is it?
In hopes of getting a better idea what Mr. Dossett is about, I sent him the same questionnaire as Rev. McLain. He DID respond.
1. What – if anything – are you willing to do to reverse the massive cuts to public education in Oklahoma in recent years?
On a basic level, I am willing to run for the Senate, as a teacher, to serve public education in the OK Legislature. I have thrown myself into the ring on behalf of all public school teachers.
Like most teachers, I’m tired of the same results after each election. As a Senator, I will personally review every existing tax incentive and will not support the ones that have no record of creating jobs or revenue. I will not support any more cuts to education funding and will fight to regain proper funding. And I will explore legislation to place mandatory expiration dates on all mandates so they must be reviewed before they can be renewed.
I have graduated from, and now teach in, a town with a strong public school system. My father is a graduate of this school and was a principal here for 30 years. My mother taught Special Ed in our district for 30 years. I have seen how our schools have helped build strong families and businesses in our district. I want to take that message to the Capitol.
2. Do you support Educational Savings Accounts (vouchers)?
I DO NOT support Educational Savings Accounts or vouchers.
3. What’s your take on state and/or federal testing of students? What do those scores reflect, and how should they be used?
Currently, the one thing testing and test-scores accurately measure is student affluence. Summative assessment is important, but test scores should only be used to provide benchmark data and drive instruction. The minimal amount of testing should be used to achieve this. High-stakes testing needs to go away.
4. How can we recruit more teachers in Oklahoma? Does this need conflict with a desire for teacher quality / accountability?
There are many layers to this answer. To sum it up as concisely as possible, we, as a State, must bring dignity back to the teaching profession. Oklahoma has to reverse the current culture of pushing the best and brightest career-minded educators away, and instead, attract the best and brightest to come invest here.
The war on teachers, the embarrassing salaries, the lack of support for content-specific professional development, and the use of junk-science statistics to ramrod educational policies, have all taken their toll. Salaries are the natural starting point, but better salaries will have to be paired with a legitimate culture of support from our State government – no more double talk.
Accountability methods must be centered on producing teacher growth and must be trustworthy. Using test scores or questionable evaluation models creates distrust and completely dismantles the collaborative atmosphere schools must have to achieve.
5. Now that ESSA is (apparently) giving more autonomy back to the states in terms of how they handle public education, what should Oklahoma’s priorities be?
The ESSA is a massive document. Oklahoma should trust in its education community to dissect and analyze the ESSA, drive the discussion, and spearhead legislation and policy. If not, special interests, partisan politics, and lobbyists will have the power to drive the ESSA’s implementation.
As a Senator, I will be in position make decisions of ESSA’s application based on firsthand experience in the field. Special interest groups will not sway me.
6. In 25 words or less, what makes an effective educator?
One who is committed to the career, highly educated, passionate about student achievement, and has a strong, but nurturing disposition.
7. In 25 words or less, why should #OklaEd support you and District 34 voters get out and vote for you on January 12th?
I am the only candidate with legitimate experience in education. If #OklaEd expects different results, it is going to have to elect experienced, education-minded officials.
I don’t know about you, but I got a bit of an edu-tingly feeling from that one.
So – what can YOU do about it?
Well, if you happen to be a registered voter in the Owasso area, get your butts out and vote on January 12th. Duh.
But everyone reading this can forward it to their teacher friends – in or out of Owasso. Talk about this election, and it’s potential, and the initiative we could take NOW in shaping #OKElections16.
I get that we’re overworked, and traditionally #OklaEd has been pretty good at rallies and signs, but horrible at sustained political action. If you’re more afraid someone’s going to take your guns than you are that our public school system is going to be intentionally undercut, demeaned, and dismantled, then the principalities and powers in OKC have won the propaganda war. If you’re more worried about your local schools turning your kids gay, Muslim, or both, than you are concerned that those same schools will run out of resources trying to prepare ALL of the next generation to do a better job than we are, then we’ve lost – no matter what your cool sign said.
A campaign on this level gets a HUGE boost from you giving a few hours of your time to make phone calls or take a short drive to Owasso to knock on doors. They need your $25, $50, and $100 help – NOW. I know money is tight right after the holidays, but you wanna know ‘tight’ come NEXT December? Leave current leadership in place.
“Sorry honey – the turnip doll is all we could afford this year because the state doesn’t want you to be a Socialist.”
Go to the campaign site, follow @dossettfor34 on Twitter, and ask what you can do THIS WEEK to help. Or, don’t, and stay home mumbling to yourself: “Thank you sir – may I have another?”
That means different things to different people, but I’m personally quite the fan of New Years – not so much for the ‘Eve’ part, with the late night desperation to stay awake despite those horrible people on TV and awful fake-live bands – but for the ‘New’ part, with the hope and change and trying not to suck quite so much.
Well, that and the sense you’ve survived yet another year of this weird life.
But whatever else 2016 will bring, it means yet another tough year for public education in Oklahoma. Many of our elected leaders openly despise us. A number openly revile book learnin’ in general, while others cater to an ignorant, fearful constituency. Some may be well-intentioned, but lack understanding or political power. I don’t know their hearts (I mean, not ALL of them), but I know the results.
The results suck for #oklaed.
And yet, other than a vigorous sign-carrying from time to time, far too many of us don’t get politically involved. We don’t pay attention to the details of the legislation that affects us or the representatives who – supposedly – represent us in OKC. I get it – it’s time-consuming, confusing, and depressing. We’re busy with our own kids, our own classrooms, our own problems, and that stuff seems so far away. It’s not like we can DO anything about it, right?
But there are something like 45,000 teachers in Oklahoma. Assuming many of us are married, or have adult children, maybe adult siblings in other professions in the state, or even, like, friends – that should mean an easy 100,000+ voters anytime something important is up for consideration. Know how many people voted in the last statewide election? Just a tad over 800,000.
With a little agitating, we can have actual impact on this puppy. You know, for the children. (And for your personal stress levels as well, of course. But mostly for the children.)
With that in mind, I’m compiling this Blue Cereal Guide to Major #OklaEd Issues (seriously, I tried to come up with a catchier title), starting with this post. It will eventually have it’s own page on this site, and will be updated right up until November 8, 2016 with news and commentary related to #OklaEd. I’ll also begin posting Legislator Profiles beginning in January – focusing, of course, on their record in regards to public education.
Should be good times.
Feel free to contribute. If it looks important, and I don’t include it, maybe I just missed it.
#OKElections16 Essentials – If You Haven’t Been Paying Close Attention So Far, That’s OK. You Can Start Here.
You Should Read ALL Of Them, But Posts Marked By *** Are THE Most Essential IMHO.
You get tired of cautious price-checking as you shop for groceries, or putting on your best face while you limit how many back-to-school clothes can come from Target before going back to the… usual places. Your friends don’t mean any harm when they share their vacation stories or invite you to that restaurant they chose to ‘accommodate your budget,’ but – SERIOUSLY? They don’t even have a kids’ menu there!
But I’m going into 2016 with an open mind. It’s a new year, a new legislative session, and a new round of draconian budget cuts. Why not new ideologies and understandings as well? Maybe I’m wrong about some things. Maybe we’re ALL wrong about any NUMBER of contentious issues. 
I’m ready to sincerely consider your examples, and their stories. Seriously.
But both the OKSDE website and the annual rhetoric from our State Legislature is clear – schools landing on the low end of that A-F list will receive increased support – training – mentoring – guidance – resources – from the state, yes? There’s a reference to using ‘spurs’ on us I’m not crazy about, but other than that… 
I know there’s a balance of sorts, and that high enough tax rates kill growth. But may I please see examples of how cutting the obligations of the most prosperous has led to more jobs, more state revenue, more services, more prosperity – in OUR state, recently? 
The Republican candidate is 
In hopes of getting a better idea what Mr. Dossett is about, I sent him the same questionnaire as Rev. McLain. He DID respond.
