Not content with the Pledge of Allegiance, Oklahoma’s House has unanimously passed legislation requiring students to recite the “Oklahoma Salute” as well. The Tulsa World’s editorial writers are apoplectic, sniffing “this is what passes for education reform in the Oklahoma legislature this year.”
You could almost hear the exasperated voices of the public school teachers: ‘Great, another meaningless mandate.’ Those same teachers may not have the resources they need to do their jobs. Their classrooms may be overcrowded and dilapidated. They may not have a hope of a raise this year, meaning their colleagues will continue to be tempted by better paying jobs across state lines. But, thank goodness, that Oklahoma House of Representatives was Johnny on the Spot to make sure that no kid misses out on his obligation to pledge allegiance to the Oklahoma flag.
The 16-word salute reads: “I salute the flag of the State of Oklahoma. Its symbols of peace unite all people.” It won’t take long. I do wonder, however, who’s going to pay to put state flags in every classroom in the Sooner State.
We pledge to both down here in TX too.
I’ve never had a classroom that didn’t have both flags available, hung neatly on the wall, and a few spares in the closet.
I don’t have a phone, or more than one working plug, but I’ve got flags.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a state flag in a New York school, let alone a classroom. It became an issue one year when questions about the symbols on the flag were on the state’s 5th grade S.S. test. The teachers were unfamiliar with the state flag, to say nothing of the kids.
We’re also going to display the Ten Commandments at the state capital. The Republicans have passed a bill for a lottery where 1/5th of all school districts become charters at random every year.
The Republicans have passed a bill for a lottery where 1/5th of all school districts become charters at random every year.
Do 1/5 randomly stop being charters the next year… Or is the goal to do a geometric progression towards an all charter state: 20% the first year, 39% by the second, 51% by the third…
Rachel:
Just like Safe Harbor, you’ll never reach 100% that way.
No. They want 100% charters in five years. Someone could read them the math explanation, but its hard to think of a master teacher who could explain it so that the Christian Right would understand.
But thinking is overrated. If your heart is right (meaning you haven’t been corrupted by the secular humanism of the public schools, then facts won’t obscure the greater truth.
John:
Next thing you know, the pigs will be walking upright.