“Let’s be clear,” the First Lady said. “Active minds and new ideas are the real brick and mortar of a society, the classroom being the quarry where these raw materials are honed and sharpened. There are so many things we want for ourselves and, especially, for our children – opportunity and fulfillment, prosperity and security – and yet, all too often, people think these goals can be achieved through shortcuts that bypass our public schools.

“Oklahoma cannot neglect education,” she said.

It appears Henry’s words weren’t empty. She said the governor is committed to dramatically reducing the state’s dropout rate by bolstering remediation and alternative schools; further developing voluntary preschool opportunities; and making Oklahoma the nation’s leader in student high school graduation.

But, as Henry pointed out, government initiatives aren’t enough. Education goals need the support from those who have the power to affect the children directly.

“We all know that a first-rate education requires much more than an attentive government,” she said. “You need parental involvement. You need committed teachers. You need responsible administrators. And still you need more. You need organizations like the Norman Public School Foundation.”

Tony Pennington

366-3541

schools@normantranscript.com