Ax Education Agency, Okla. State Employees Urge

By Millicent Lawton

A panel of Oklahoma state employees recommends completely revamping the state education system and abolishing the education department in a report aimed at streamlining government.

Commissioned by Gov. Frank Keating and issued last month, the stinging report minces no words in its denunciation of what the panel sees as a failed education system, from elementary schools to the state's universities.

"Parents are turned off by the education community; too many students are failing at all levels; and meanwhile, Oklahoma's overall education results are...