Senator Kevin Matthews on Education and More: Breakfast Chat

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GREENWOOD Dist. — On a crisp Friday morning, Oklahoma State Senator Kevin Matthews engaged in a candid conversation with a gathering of young professionals at La Madeleine’s French Bakery & Café, nestled on Cherry Street in Tulsa’s historic Greenwood district.

Education Policy in the Spotlight

The centerpiece of the discussion? Education policy, which, according to Sen. Matthews, looms large in the state’s political landscape. “I believe public education is under attack,” he declared, setting the tone for the morning’s dialogue. His theory? That some of his Republican counterparts may not wholeheartedly support public education because their offspring are either attending private schools or pursuing homeschooling options.

Senator Kevin Matthews posited that this stark contrast in educational choices creates a rift between certain Republican legislators and their constituents, many of whom rely on the public school system. “There is a philosophical difference in how Republicans view education and how Democrats view education,” he asserted.

Championing Public Schools with Senator Kevin Matthews

Delving deeper into Oklahoma’s educational landscape, Senator Kevin Matthews cited success stories within the public school system. He singled out institutions like Booker T. Washington High School, renowned for its magnet program, and Thomas Edison High School, both of which have consistently delivered decades of academic excellence.

Booker T. Washington’s magnet status enables a rigorous selection process based on above-average standardized test scores for admissions.

Senator Kevin Matthews Questions Grading System

Sen. Matthews also questioned the relevance of the A – F School Grading System, suggesting it might be outdated and an imperfect gauge of a school’s true success. In 2016, Oklahoma’s public schools ranked 46th in the nation, earning a disheartening D+ grade, according to Education Week.

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The School-to-Prison Pipeline Challenge

The conversation with Senator Kevin Matthews organically shifted into the issue of the school-to-prison pipeline. Moreover, Oklahoma holds one of the highest incarceration rates for women in the United States, a problem further exacerbated by the profit-driven model of privatized prisons. Former President Barack Obama had made efforts to reduce federal reliance on private prisons. However, those strides were swiftly reversed by a memo from the controversially appointed Attorney General Jeff Sessions under President Donald Trump’s administration. This policy reversal disproportionately impacts Black, Brown, and economically disadvantaged Oklahomans.

During breakfast with Senator Kevin Matthews, the education-incarceration intersection remained a significant concern for many in the state. Nevertheless, this has prompted a call for ongoing dialogue and reform.