PORTLAND, Ore. — The unorthodox campaign of J. Schuberth, running for Oregon governor as 'Pencil,' serves as a stark indictment of the progressive policies that have dominated the state's education system for years. Schuberth's campaign highlights Oregon's lagging literacy rates and calls for a return to traditional education values.

As 'Pencil,' Schuberth, a former college professor and literacy advocate, is drawing attention to the fact that Oregon fourth-graders rank last in reading proficiency, according to one analysis of national testing data. This dismal performance is a direct result of the left's grip on education, characterized by a focus on ideological agendas rather than fundamental skills.

'This is an indictment of the people who are running our state,' Schuberth rightly observes, pointing to the Democratic supermajority's role in shaping education policy. Their emphasis on trendy pedagogical approaches has come at the expense of proven methods that prioritize reading, writing, and arithmetic.

Schuberth's 'Pencil' campaign is a challenge to the status quo, urging voters to write in 'Pencil' as a protest against the failed leadership of Governor Tina Kotek and the entrenched progressive establishment. It is a call for accountability and a demand for a return to common-sense education reforms.

Oregon's education system has suffered from a decline in standards, a proliferation of social engineering, and a lack of parental involvement. These factors have contributed to a widening achievement gap and a generation of students ill-equipped to succeed in the workforce.

The solution lies in restoring local control over schools, empowering parents to make decisions about their children's education, and promoting competition and choice. Charter schools, school vouchers, and tax-credit scholarships can provide families with alternatives to failing public schools.

Furthermore, Oregon needs to prioritize traditional subjects and restore rigor to the curriculum. Students should be taught the basics of American history, civics, and economics, and they should be held to high academic standards.

Schuberth's campaign is a wake-up call to Oregonians who are concerned about the future of their state. It is an opportunity to reject the failed policies of the past and embrace a new vision for education, one that is grounded in tradition, excellence, and parental responsibility. The write-in effort highlights the need for more options for parents.

While 'Pencil' is unlikely to win the election, the campaign's impact will be felt long after the votes are counted. It is a reminder that conservative values still resonate in Oregon and that there is a growing demand for change. The hope is that the message to the establishment will be loud and clear.

By highlighting the failures of progressive education policies, the 'Pencil' campaign is paving the way for a brighter future for Oregon's students and a return to common-sense principles in the classroom.