logo
Login Subscribe
Google Play App Store
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
    • Opinion
  • Sports
  • E-edition
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
      • Opinion
    • Sports
    • E-edition
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
commentary
March 28, 2024
Civics education necessary for a brighter future
By CEO-OICA

JOE DORMAN

Our public schools provide an array of opportunities for students to become good citizens, from student government to civics education. In fact, America recently celebrated “Civics Education Week,” noting the importance of the subject for both students and society.

Student government teaches public service. Good government requires young people to become active voters once they reach the age of 18 and beyond. That understanding led OICA to offer a program called Kid Governor to elementary schools.

Governor provides curriculum to 5th grade classroom teachers developed with lessons about state government, voting, and elections. OICA additionally created an educational comic book showing how the process works in our State Capitol and ends with games to teach about definitions tied in with government lessons. All of this is free for schools and covered by the funds we raise.

In Kid Governor, participating classrooms hold elections among the students, naming winners who become nominees. In the state race, the nominees sublent mit two-minute videos outlining positive ideas they would like to see become law. A committee selects the top seven finalists, and their videos are sent to the classrooms for the students to watch, along with a ballot like ones used in Oklahoma state elections. The student receiving the most votes is elected Oklahoma’s Kid Governor. This teaches the importance of civic engagement.

In 2022, Mila O’Brien of Enid was selected to be the state’s Kid Governor ; she has done a phenomenal job promoting youth mental health issues statewide, speaking to civic organizations and classrooms, and lawmakers like Rep. Jeff Boatman, R-Tulsa, who authored Maria’s Law to enhance youth mental health.

We started with great interest for this school year. More than two dozen classrooms enrolled early in Kid Governor ; but by the time the program was to begin in October, each classroom had backed out. The reasons were disheartening, but unfortunately valid, and broke along three issues:

• Classroom overcrowding was the most frequent response. One teacher explained to us she had 52 fifth-graders due to another teacher leaving with no available replacement.

• Teachers reported the need to focus on the lessons in which fifthgraders would be tested by the state, and there was no time for additional items such as our specialized civics curriculum.

• Finally, many teachers told us they were afraid of retribution should they implement anything that might be viewed by some as “indoctrination” of students.

We explained that the state Department of Education had approved the lessons, and that Gov. Kevin Stitt and former Govs. Mary Fallin, Brad Henry, Frank Keating, David Walters, and George Nigh all endorsed the program. Even so, that assurance did not ease teachers’ concerns.

There are fixes for overcrowded classrooms through incentives to enter the field of education and overcoming learning loss through additional tutoring, but resolving the anxiety of educators is tougher. Elected officials need to consider the plight of what teachers, parents and students alike are facing, and have rational, civil conversations about solutions, followed by implementation.

We are not giving up easily. Mila will serve an additional year as Kid Governor while the program adapts. OICA plans to partner with another program to hold the lessons and election as an extracurricular activity in the Fall. Not an ideal situation, but still providing lessons for many students.

Please help us encourand

age young Oklahomans to learn more about civics education, and if you know a 5th grader who would be interested, reach out to our office at https://www.oica. org so we can connect them with a local Kid Governor program. Please also contact Oklahoma’s policymakers and express your desire to seek solutions to these challenges.

Seminole survives Checotah 34-27
B:, Sports...
Seminole survives Checotah 34-27
By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR 
September 11, 2025
The Seminole Chieftains were lucky to go home with a 34-27 win over the Checotah Wildcats Friday night. Checotah’s penalties that accumulated to over 100 yards. The Wildcats moved the football up and ...
this is a test
D is for Duvall
A: Main, News...
D is for Duvall
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
September 11, 2025
When your last name is Duvall then you more than likely wear a cowboy hat, ride a horse and have sat in many rodeo arenas over several decades. So when word got out that the Jim Norick Arena was being...
this is a test
A: Main, News...
9/11 – Never Forget
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
September 11, 2025
At about 7 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001, I strolled into the Las Vegas Sun newsroom where I worked as an entertainment reporter. The room was quiet, a palpable feeling of dread filled the air as the f...
this is a test
Checotah FFA earns historic award
A: Main, News...
Checotah FFA earns historic award
September 11, 2025
The Checotah FFA Chapter has been recently recognized in the 2025 National Chapter Award Program from the National FFA Organization. “We are so excited that the Checotah FFA was given a National 3-sta...
this is a test
A: Main, News...
Chief issues executive order to implement Treaty of 1866 Freedmen ruling
By PATRICK FORD SPECIAL REPORT 
September 11, 2025
Muscogee Nation Principal Chief David Hill has issued Executive Order No. 25-05, outlining the Nation’s plan to comply with a landmark Supreme Court decision requiring the incorporation of the Treaty ...
this is a test
Meeting of History & Artifact Enthusiasts
A: Main, News...
Meeting of History & Artifact Enthusiasts
September 11, 2025
Heartland Heritage Museum and Art Gallery 114 N. Broadway Checotah, Oklahoma Saturday, September 13 at 1 p.m. Don’t forget to join us for an afternoon of discovery and connection with others who share...
this is a test
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
A site out of this world
A: Main, News...
A site out of this world
By MIKE BARNES 
September 11, 2025
In Eufaula, a town where gossip can outpace the mail, a story is slowly gaining momentum. It isn’t about the latest fishing tournament or Friday night football, but about a cosmic visitor called 3I/AT...
this is a test
Checotah FFA Cattle Grading Contest huge success
News
Checotah FFA Cattle Grading Contest huge success
September 11, 2025
Over 900 students from across the state came to compete in the first annual Checotah FFA Cattle Grading Contest. “We couldn’t believe how many participants came for our first event,” Zachary Ilbery sa...
this is a test
Mild weather, just what the festival ordered
News
Mild weather, just what the festival ordered
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
September 11, 2025
Mayor James Hickman perhaps summarized best when he sent a letter of appreciation to Karen Weldin and the Vision Eufaula Board of Directors for one of the best Wine & Art Festivals held in the city. “...
this is a test
News
Lake Eufaula Out of Darkness Walk
September 11, 2025
Saturday, Sept. 20 On-site registration begins at 5 p.m. Out of Darkness Walk begins at 6 p.m. At Eufaula Cove Pavilion Special speaker, live music, resources Everyone welcomed to walk!
this is a test
News
LEA 2025 Golf Tournament Sept. 26
September 11, 2025
The 2025 Lake Eufaula Association Golf Tournament will be held Friday Sept. 26 at Arrowhead Golf Course, 3657 Main Park Rd. , Canadian. Registration is at 8 a.m., shotgun start is at 9 a.m. and lunch ...
this is a test
Facebook
Twitter
Tweets
Twitter
Tweets

MCINTOSH COUNTY DEMOCRAT
300-A S. Broadway
Checotah, OK
74426

(918) 473-2313

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 Mcintosh Democrat

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy