In an unexpected but hardly surprising announcement, Oklahoma Governor Scary Failing tells the education system, schools and teachers to step up! Clearly, she blames the educational system, devastated in the past few years by her and the Republican-controlled government by their ruinous policies, for their own demise.
Funding for education has been cut so much that schools are going to four-day weeks, valuable after-school programs are being cancelled, and teachers are fleeing the state so fast they leave skidmarks in school parking lots.
However, not all of the blame can be laid upon the legislators. Earlier this month, Oklahoma voters defeated State Question 779 59% to 40% which would have raised sales tax by one cent, to give teachers a $5000 raise and increase education's coffers. Apparently, Okies want the legislators to come up with a solution other than raising taxes. Fair enough, but what do you plan to do in the meantime while the Republicans consult with lawmakers with educational backgrounds "just as they have always been." Maybe they were consulted but certainly not heeded.
For now, Okies will watch teachers disappear over the horizon to greener pastures, see their children's education suffer and pad the pockets of Oklahoma's legislators.
http://okiefunk.com/content/it-will-get-worse-right-wing-assault-continues-oklahoma-schools
http://newsok.com/article/5508902
http://newsok.com/article/5526191
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