The disturbing thing to me is that the population here, especially the rural population, seems to take pride in their ignorance.
I can't speak to the nation, but I know people all over that take pride in their ignorance. Certainly evident in Kansas and Texas. Same with New Mexico, where going to college is derided as "selling out" or seen as the lazy way out by certain segments of the population. A disdain for education is a serious problem. Though, in Texas, Kansas, and New Mexico there are segments of the population that are actively opposed to education, here it seems much more widespread.
Actually, it is part of the Oklahoma Party Platform. The main goal of the Party is to use education as a tool to teach their Christian Faith. Educating students in public education is secondary to the goal of spreading the faith. Here are some quotes directly from the
OKGOP platform in Oklahoma, under the "EDUCATION" section:
- "The traditional family unit, consisting of a (husband) man, (wife) woman, and child(ren) is the foundation of our social structure. The Oklahoma Department of Education and various Boards of Regents should uphold and teach this definition of traditional family at all levels of public and higher education."
- Allow prayer and wearing of religious symbols in school, as well as optional Bible study classes.
- "Students should start the day by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, including 'one nation under God'" (I have no problem with this, but specifying the religious phrase as one that should be recited is ridiculous)
- "Student participation in any program should be based upon prior written parental consent, without repercussion (opt in vs. opt out)." (This one sounds benign, but it is designed to eliminate evolution and sex education)
- "The Ten Commandments should never be barred from view in public schools as a means of moral guidance along with our national motto “In God We Trust”" (E Pluribus Unum?)
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"Public schools shall not prohibit the teaching of the Judeo-Christian worldview upon which our country was founded. Public schools shall be prohibited from promoting other worldviews." - "American heritage should be taught in public schools and include representative government, limited government, the lives and beliefs of the Founders, influence of the Bible and religion on our laws and principles"
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"the scientific evidence supporting Intelligent Design and Biblical creation should be included in Oklahoma public schools curricula. And where any evolution theory is taught both should receive equal funding, class time, and material." - "Local school boards should exercise their right to choose curriculum and textbooks, including the Bible as a literature or history text, without state limitations."
- "Neither classroom instruction nor school-based health services shall usurp parental rights, in order to direct sex counseling, to dispense contraceptives, or promote homosexual or promiscuous behavior..." (teaching sex education is teaching "promiscuous behavior" and discussing alternative lifestyles in "promoting homosexuality..." I mean, at least it is in Russia)
- "Abstinence or lifetime fidelity shall be presented as the only safe sexual practice." (based on their religious beliefs, of course. Oklahoma has NO requirement that anything taught has to be scientifically accurate)
- "Multiculturalism that promotes cultural segregation should not be taught. We respect different cultures and support teaching our commonalities as U. S. citizens" (that is: don't teach about other cultures that might not be Christian)
There are some other non-religious gems in there on education:
- "English, the dominant language of our nation, should be the primary language taught in public schools with other languages offered as electives." (screw you immigrants, Native Americans, and immersion schools)
- "We support curricula that promotes national sovereignty and opposes one-world government and global citizenship..." (got your tinfoil hat on?)
- "We support decertifying all teachers unions in Oklahoma"
- "We support the granting of authority to the Oklahoma Legislature to review any tests that must be administered by Oklahoma Public Schools as a result of State or Federal mandates..." (some of our legislators can't spell test)
- Some anti-vaxx crap
- Discourage community service
- Discourage the use of technology
- Defund the Department of Education
- Eliminate Federal and State curriculum requirements and educational goals
- Eliminate public schools for illegal immigrants
- They also want to teach directly from "source material" like the Constitution itself, because if you leave it up to scholarly work on the document their "lessons" fall apart in a hurry. Heaven forbid they read source materials from some heathen like Thomas Jefferson...
When the education section of the party platform reads like a Church Sunday School charter, you're pretty well screwed. Color me shocked that their stated goal of obstructing actual education is exactly what they are doing now that they are in power. When an Oklahoma GOP politician says "education is a priority," the above is what they are talking about. SO - given the platform, we are getting close to what we were promised.
You silly people though "education" meant educating young people. Goofballs!
