Katherine Bishop is a career educator. In this piece for The Oklahoman, she warns that Oklahoma education is in danger.
The state of education in Oklahoma is at a critical juncture. While some may argue that our public schools are failing, it is rather the systems that fund and support our public schools that are failing. It is time to address these issues head-on and work toward real solutions that will benefit our students, educators and communities. Considering this climate, I offer three factors I believe we must address.
First, it is essential to rectify the significant disruption and chaos that state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters has created within our schools. Despite holding the title of state superintendent of public instruction, Walters’ actions have consistently worked against the best interests of our public schools. What is most troubling is the clear pattern that emerges each time he faces judgment or investigation ― rather than acknowledging any wrongdoing, he doubles and triples down with unfounded and unprompted edicts that only serve to further destabilize our schools. The implications of Walters’ actions are felt deeply within our schools and breed a culture of uncertainty and anxiety that pervades the entire education system.
One of the more detrimental effects of Walters’ behavior is the financial strain it places on districts across the state. By provoking unnecessary legal battles and forcing schools to comply with his ill-conceived mandates, he is effectively compromising the quality of education that students receive. His actions also jeopardize cherished traditions such as Friday Night Lights, as districts are forced to make difficult decisions about where to allocate increasingly scarce resources. Moreover, the mismanagement of funds by Walters has far-reaching consequences for the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) and the districts it serves. By redirecting resources away from the department, he is eroding public trust in the integrity of our education system and impeding the department’s crucial role in ensuring that all students have equal access to a quality education.
