Oklahoma Education Chief Resigns to Lead Conservative Educators’ Group Amid Controversial Policies

Oklahoma’s Education Chief Ryan Walters Resigns to Lead Conservative Educators Group

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — In a significant shift within Oklahoma’s educational landscape, Ryan Walters, the state’s top public schools official, announced his resignation on Wednesday night. The 40-year-old Republican, who has been a vocal advocate for conservative educational reforms, will take the helm as CEO of the Teacher Freedom Alliance, a nonprofit aimed at empowering educators to foster what he describes as “free, moral, and upright American citizens.”

Walters made the announcement during an appearance on Fox News, where he expressed his commitment to dismantling teachers’ unions, which he claims have corrupted public education. “We’re going to destroy the teachers unions,” he declared, emphasizing his belief that these organizations wield too much power over schools.

His tenure as state superintendent has been marked by a series of controversial initiatives, including a mandate for public school teachers to incorporate the Bible into lesson plans for grades 5 through 12. He has also pushed for social studies curricula to include conspiracy theories about the 2020 election and has sought to track the immigration status of students. These efforts have sparked numerous lawsuits and have coincided with a decline in Oklahoma’s national education rankings.

Just a day before his resignation, Walters announced plans to establish Turning Point USA chapters in every Oklahoma high school, a move aimed at engaging students in discussions about free speech and American values. This initiative aligns with the organization’s mission to mobilize young, Christian conservatives, especially following the recent assassination of its founder, Charlie Kirk.

Walters, a former teacher and Oklahoma Secretary of Education from 2020 to 2023, was appointed to his current role by Governor Kevin Stitt. His leadership has been characterized by what Oklahoma Attorney General Genter Drummond described as “a stream of never-ending scandal and political drama.” Drummond, a Republican and future gubernatorial candidate, called for a new state superintendent focused on improving the quality of public education.

As Walters transitions to his new role, the implications of his departure and the future of Oklahoma’s educational policies remain uncertain. Critics and supporters alike will be watching closely to see how his initiatives will shape the state’s educational landscape in the coming years.