As a parent of three children in public schools, I know firsthand the concerns and challenges families face when it comes to education. Conversations around public education in Oklahoma are often negative: underfunded schools, teacher shortages, declining test scores. While these are very real issues, they don’t tell the full story. Every day, educators and administrators are working tirelessly to innovate and improve educational experiences for our children.
With that commitment in mind, Oklahomans should shift the focus from challenges to solutions: the educators, programs and initiatives proving positive change is possible. Supporting public education should be at the heart of the mission for organizations, communities, business leaders and policymakers across Oklahoma because we know that when schools thrive, families and communities do, too.
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As a community, we can celebrate how local teachers are improving literacy through STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) curriculum. Reading proficiency is a pressing concern, so local schools are integrating hands-on, interdisciplinary learning to engage students in new ways. By combining literacy with interactive projects, teachers are making reading come alive for students who might otherwise struggle with traditional instruction.
We should all be concerned about chronic absenteeism, which has become a state and national concern. What community members may not realize is that many students miss school due to challenges far outside their control, whether it’s the need to work to support their family, mental health struggles or a lack of transportation. Rather than taking a punitive approach, local school districts are creating opportunities for students to share what’s keeping them from coming to school, then addressing those barriers by implementing support systems that make a real impact.
From creating bilingual family outreach teams to working with local businesses to encourage scheduling flexibility for parents, our schools are working creatively to ensure students stay engaged and in the classroom.
As a community, we also can celebrate the ways teachers are incorporating social-emotional learning, innovative workforce development programs for students pursuing non-traditional careers, and creative approaches to teacher recruitment and retention.
What’s truly remarkable? Educators are making positive strides across these issues while facing some of the lowest levels of funding in the nation. Oklahoma ranks 43rd in the country for average teacher pay, despite raises in recent years, and the average salary falls $3,000 below the living wage, according to the National Education Association. Plus, Oklahoma has one of the lowest per-pupil spending rates in the country, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Center for Education Statistics. Imagine how much more our educators could accomplish if we funded public education properly!
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Investment in public education is an investment in our collective future. As a parent, I want my children to grow up in a community that values education — and that means funding schools adequately; paying teachers, support staff and paraprofessionals competitive salaries; and advocating for solutions that help all students succeed.
We must amplify our schools’ successes to encourage future investment. By sharing what’s right with our schools, we can create a ripple effect of hope, engagement and progress. And that’s worth celebrating.
Erin Page
Erin Page is CEO and publisher of MetroFamily Magazine, a resource for family and parenting support, which recently launched a series called “What’s Right With Our Schools.”
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: It’s time for constructive action to improve our schools | Opinion
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