Oklahoma educators offer Bush advice on his education approach

Tuesday, January 2nd 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY _ Oklahoma leaders have plenty of advice for President-elect Bush when it comes to education, including suggestions he bridge the gap between adequately and inadequately funded schools and continue important programs started during the previous administration.

Bush has said one of his priorities is to improve education, an issue Oklahoma educators have been grappling with for years. While ACT scores still fall below the national average in all subjects except English, Oklahoma educators point out the same statistics show the state is rapidly catching up.

With that in mind, Rose State College President James Cook suggested that Bush to realize the importance of programs launched over the past few years.

One program Cook and other educators like is ``GEAR UP,'' which stands for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs.

The federal initiative launched in 1998 is designed to better prepare high school students for college through mentoring, scholarships and awareness programs.

In August 1999, the U.S. Department of Education awarded Oklahoma a five-year, $2.5 million grant to implement GEAR UP activities across the state, including college preparation and awareness programs and scholarships.

``Efforts such as GEAR UP, Talent Search, student loan and grant programs, and employer incentives for employee education are examples of federally sponsored programs that improve access to public or private higher education to an increasing number of our citizens,'' Cook told The Daily Oklahoman.

Norman Madsen, president of Bacone College in Muskogee, said the incoming administration should seek ways to promote educational opportunities for minorities.

``One area of underutilized work force potential is our minority population,'' Madsen said. ``Unleash the restrictions that have inhibited this portion of the great American society from making their contributions to this nation and becoming good citizens.

``Their needs are clear ... invest in our minority population by making available to them more financial support for education.''

University of Oklahoma President David Boren's concerns were similar, noting that Bush said in his campaign that the key to equal opportunity for all Americans is to give all Americans equal access to a quality education.

``There is a huge disparity in the funding for education per student in this country,'' Boren said. ``Some school districts have adequate funding and others do not.''

Boren suggested that the federal government can help equalize funding in poor school districts and then hold them accountable with strict enforcement standards.

From one teacher's point of view, dilapidated school buildings need attention.

``Many of our buildings are literally falling apart,'' said Christine Bond, who teaches advanced placement history classes at Oklahoma City's Northeast Academy for Health Sciences and Engineering.

``Because our schools are primarily funded on property taxes, many, many wealthy areas or areas with high property values have a lot more equipment, such as computers and better buildings.''

Oklahoma State University President James Halligan recommended that Bush promote teaching ``at all levels'' by regularly celebrating those who demonstrate excellence in the classroom.

Oklahoma Christian University President Kevin Jacobs, on the other hand, suggested Bush promote character and values at schools.

Roger Hill, superintendent of Hobart Public Schools, believes educators have to find ways to boost parental involvement.

``Parents are going to have to become more responsible and accountable for their child's education. Parents must be willing to accept that responsibility, but just as important, parents need to support the teachers in the classrooms in order to truly improve the quality of education for all students,'' Hill said.

Hill concludes, however, that he isn't sure parental involvement can be addressed by legislation.

Education Week, a trade newspaper, has lauded Oklahoma for how well it prepares teachers, although the state is struggling to keep those same teachers from moving to other states with higher salaries.

Oklahoma educators also emphasize current or future economic weakness in Oklahoma will be relieved by improving education.

Cook believes that if higher education is strengthened, the economy will follow.

``In many ways, higher education is the engine that drives the American economy,'' he said. ``Skilled and professional workers in virtually every field of human activity are provided by institutions of higher education, and research activities at our nation's universities result in new products and applications in medicine, agriculture, technology and many other fields.''

Still, some recommended that Bush go slowly and realize that long-term solutions won't come quickly.

``Avoid the temptations to latch on to any specific so-called remedy for improving education,'' Guy Sconzo, interim superintendent of Oklahoma City Public Schools, said.

``There are no quick fixes and meaningful involvement must come from reforms at the school and school district levels.''