Opinion
Something to be proud of in Oklahoma
EDMOND — About a mile south of the state Capitol building, just off Lincoln Boulevard, is a magnificent, small institution of learning. It is a special place because of the young men and women who attend and because of what they are preparing themselves to do someday. These young men and women could find cures for disease, solve the math problems to put America back in the lead in space travel, find new renewable energy sources, negotiate international peace agreements and teach in our best universities. They are the type of young Americans who will make this a safer nation and a better world.
The school is the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics. OSSM is pronounced “awesome”. This residential high school for juniors and seniors from across the state is a one of a kind in Oklahoma and one of few like it in the nation. Students from all 77 Oklahoma counties have attended OSSM. Its mission is to prepare young Oklahomans to think critically by excelling in studies of science and mathematics. The curriculum is designed to not only immerse students into a rigorous two-year program of advanced physics, mathematics, biology, chemistry and humanities, but also to instill in them a sense of community service and living a healthy lifestyle.
But the story of this OSSM institution is more than just the residential campus in Oklahoma City — the center of excellence for Oklahoma science and mathematics. The OSSM curriculum in calculus and physics cascades out to 19 regional centers across the state. The regional centers use the same textbooks and follow a strong preparatory program to prepare an additional 200 plus students for success at the state’s comprehensive universities. These students study only physics and calculus with OSSM while continuing to attend their hometown high schools for the remainder of their high school courses.
There is a final aspect to the OSSM institution that has an even greater reach than the residential and regional centers and that is the outreach program for science and mathematics teachers from across the state. By doing so, Oklahoma science and mathematics teachers have a connection to some of the best educational mentors and developers in the nation.
The holistic nature of OSSM can change the educational landscape for science and mathematics in Oklahoma, and place Oklahoma in a leadership position for the rest of the nation. We can all be proud that Oklahoma has such an institution. It certainly speaks well for our interest in serving our nation’s need for intellectual capital. We all should be advocates for such an educational institution. If you believe that, let your elected officials know.
BEN ROBINSON of Oklahoma City is a retired Air Force Brigadier General and a former Commander of the 552 AWACS Wing at Tinker Air Force Base and the former director of operations in Oklahoma for the Boeing Company.
- Opinion
-
-
Free File Alliance benefits Oklahoma taxpayers
Earlier this month, I was pleased to help announce a program that will help many Oklahomans complete their state and federal income taxes and be sure they have claimed all the credits and exemptions for which they are eligible.
-
House video feed yields positive results
I have enjoyed observing the first signs of tangible impact from the recent decision by state House Speaker Chris Benge to provide a live video feed of House proceedings on the Internet.
When I served as a City Councilman in Guthrie, I made the observation that the city policymakers’ decision to televise City Council meetings had an impact on city policy. No longer could councilmen count on supporting bad policy with the knowledge that the public would be unable to see their actions in context. -
Hatred based on religion nothing new
The late Richard Hofstadter was a professor of American History at Columbia University in New York City. He also authored several books, one of which was titled “The Paranoid Style of American Politics.”
-
Ready, set, wait for grocery tax cut
This past week the Oklahoma State Senate approved a measure to eliminate the sales tax on groceries. However, you shouldn’t be counting all the money you will save just yet — unless you are already preparing your shopping list for 2016.
-
Spring break ideas for families
The old saying, “No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow” comes to mind this time of year. Robins are taking wing and the daffodils are starting to peek out of the ground.
For many boys and girls, the traditional “spring break” cannot come soon enough, and most Oklahoma schools will observe this time off between March 15 and March 19. However, some school boards do not schedule a spring break, and a few opt to schedule a one- or two-day break only. -
Daring to dream can bring fulfillment
The Everly Brothers sang, “All I have to do is dream.” Dreams are of pretty cool stuff but also about aspirations and hopes for a lifetime. Growing up we all have dreams we reach for. To some it’s in sports, others politics, others to be in the movies. We “dream” of what things will be like when we only get older.
-
Deficits have their dark sides
Once upon a time there was a deficit. By our standards, it wouldn’t amount to much, but in its day, it was big enough and unruly enough that it managed to set historical forces in motion and we’re still hearing echoes of that little deficit today.
Now this little deficit, like all deficits, didn’t have a name of its own. It was just called “deficit.” And, like many other deficits, it was cultivated, nourished and born with the idea it would serve a good purpose. This particular deficit was meant to cover a war. -
Resident offers health care rebuttal
Congressman Tom Cole continued the Republicans’ misleading depiction of the health insurance reform bill and congressional machinations related to it in his essay in Tuesday’s Edmond Sun. He included so many inaccuracies that it is hard to clarify everything.
He falsely called the proposal a “government takeover of health care.” Health care is delivered by providers. Under both the current system and the proposed revisions of the system, a consumer selects a provider based on whether or not there is a means to pay that particular provider. -
Partisan political tactics stifle health-care debate
The process Democrats are pursuing to pass government-run health care has become as flawed as the legislation itself. And that’s really saying something. From the beginning, the attempt to force through a government takeover of health care has been marked by disregard for the views of the American people. Now, Democratic leaders are disregarding standard legislative procedures and well-established precedents, as well.
-
South of border business deals could expand local economy
There is one of the original copies of the Magna Carta on display in the British Museum in London, England. That document, which was signed by King John of England in 1215 under duress, imposed limits on the power of the monarchy.
A copy of the Magna Carta, along with the American Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and the Oklahoma Constitution are included in the volumes that contain the statutes enacted by the Oklahoma Legislature. Paragraph 41 of the Magna Carta mandated that “All merchants shall have safe and secure conduct, to go out of, and to come into England, and to stay there, and to pass as well by land and water, for buying and selling by the ancient and allowed customs, without any evil tolls.” - More Opinion Headlines
-
Free File Alliance benefits Oklahoma taxpayers
