OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – On Wednesday night, Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters announced in a televised interview that he will step down to lead the conservative Teacher Freedom Alliance as CEO.
What did Walters say?
Walters appeared on Fox News Wednesday night after teasing “big news” in a social media post.
“Liberals’ worst nightmare is about to become true,” said Walters.
Nexstar’s KFOR reached out to Walters’ offices for comment, but did not hear back.
Ryan Walters’ background
Formerly an Oklahoma social studies teacher, Walters assumed office on January 9, 2023. He ran as a Republican and defeated Democratic opponent Jena Nelson. Previously, Walters was the secretary of education for Oklahoma, a position he held following his appointment by Governor Kevin Stitt.
Upon election, Walters prioritized parental choice, the removal of Critical Race Theory from classrooms, banning transgender athletes from sports that do not match their biological sex, and eliminating “indoctrination” from Oklahoma’s educational system.
At the time Walters took office, Oklahoma was ranked 49th in education and 47th in spending per student, according to education reports.
Ryan Walters’ agenda
Walters’ leadership has been divisive, garnering both support and criticism from many Oklahomans. Among his controversial actions, Walters mandated public schools to teach the Bible for its historical context and instructed schools to display a video of him praying for President Donald Trump.
Recently, Walters was scrutinized over allegations of inappropriate material shown on office TV during a private meeting, per Education board members’ claims. The Oklahoma County District Attorney’s office determined there was insufficient evidence to press criminal charges, identifying the content as a Jackie Chan film, “The Protector.” Walters had prematurely declared his exoneration, accused reporting board members of lying, and suggested Governor Stitt might have conspired against him.
Walters also encountered resistance due to controversial social studies standards. This curriculum cited the Bible, unverified theories about the COVID-19 pandemic’s origin, and misleading claims regarding the 2020 election. The Oklahoma Supreme Court recently ruled to temporarily halt the standards’ implementation.
Walters also previously tried to require schools to collect the immigration statuses of students and their guardians, but that fell flat in the legislature. The governor also condemned the move and overhauled the State Board of Education.
What happens next?
Governor Kevin Stitt must name a replacement to take over Walters’ duties. A potential candidate had not been named at the time of publication of this report. The candidate would fill the position into the end of Walters’ term in January 2027.
“I wish Ryan and his family the best in this next chapter. Oklahoma students remain my top priority, and with my first appointment to this role, I will be seeking a leader who is fully focused on the job Oklahomans expect: delivering real outcomes and driving a turnaround in our education system.”
Statement from Gov. Kevin Stitt
