OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Republican Ryan Walters, Oklahoma’s top public schools official who lauded President Donald Trump, pledged to put a Turning Point USA chapter in every high school to honor Charlie Kirk and end what he called “wokeness” in public schools, is resigning to lead a conservative educators’ group.
Just Tuesday, Walters announced that Oklahoma high schools will have Turning Point USA chapters.
Walters, a former teacher, was elected to the superintendent’s job.
Ever since then, “we have witnessed a stream of never-ending scandal and political drama,” Oklahoma Attorney General Genter Drummond said in a statement.
“It’s time for a State Superintendent of Public Instruction who will actually focus on quality instruction in our public schools,” Drummond, a Republican and candidate for governor in 2026, said.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Republican Ryan Walters, the state’s top public school official, is leaving to head a conservative educators’ organization. Walters praised President Donald Trump, promised to establish a Turning Point USA chapter in every high school to honor Charlie Kirk, and called for an end to “wokeness” in public schools.
The forty-year-old Walters announced on Fox News Wednesday night that he is leaving his position as the state superintendent of public instruction to take a position as CEO of the Teacher Freedom Alliance, a nonprofit organization that claims to support educators “in their mission to develop free, moral, and upright American citizens.”. “.”.
Walters declared on Fox that the teachers’ unions would be destroyed. “We have witnessed the teachers’ unions squandering funds and influence to sabotage and corrupt our educational institutions. “”.
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In an effort to integrate religion into classroom instruction, Walters has leaned into culture-war politics. One measure he has taken is requiring public school teachers to include the Bible in their lesson plans for students in grades five through twelve.
In an effort to protect what he called “radical leftist ideology,” he has also attempted to mandate that social studies teachers spread conspiracy theories regarding the 2020 election, monitor the immigration status of students in schools, and require candidates for teaching positions from California and New York to pass an exam. Even though Oklahoma’s national ranking in a number of education metrics has been steadily declining, many of his efforts have resulted in lawsuits against him and the agency.
Turning Point USA chapters will be established in Oklahoma high schools, Walters announced just Tuesday. According to him, educators, parents, and students “want their young people to be engaged in a process that understands free speech, open engagement, dialogue about American greatness, a dialogue around American values,”. “”.
The group was started by Kirk to organize young conservative Christians. After the activist was killed in September, there has been a huge increase in interest and support for it. 10.
The position of superintendent was chosen for Walters, a former educator. From September 2020 to April 2023, he was the Secretary of Education for Oklahoma. The governor appointed him to that role. Kevin’s Stitt.
Since then, “we have witnessed a stream of never-ending scandal and political drama,” according to a statement released by Oklahoma Attorney General Genter Drummond.
“We need a State Superintendent of Public Instruction who will truly prioritize high-quality instruction in our public schools,” stated Drummond, a Republican who is running for governor in 2026.
