TULSA, Okla., (The Oklahoma Post) – September 5th, 2025
Oklahoma’s schools sit at the bottom of national rankings, a disgrace that stems not from our children’s potential but from ongoing political missteps, ideological fury, and administrative distraction. Fixing this begins with facing the fallout of our state’s failing leadership, particularly the tenure of State Superintendent Ryan Walters.
From Culture Wars to Classroom Collateral
Oklahoma now ranks 50th in the nation in overall K-12 performance—dead last. That ranking isn’t an anomaly; it’s the product of policy chaos, ideological meddling, and egregious distraction.
Superintendent Ryan Walters has championed divisive measures:
- Demanding the Bible be taught in public schools.
- Pushing “anti-woke” vetting for out-of-state teachers through PragerU-backed tests.
- Promoting conspiracy-laden social studies standards targeting the 2020 election.
- Tightening control over history curricula.
- Scapegoating librarians and educators over imagined threats.
These initiatives cost us real learning time, alienate educators, and make public schools battlegrounds instead of safe spaces for students and teachers.
Scandals That Distract, Not Students That Learn
In July 2025, Walters, once again embroiled in controversy, was at the center of a bizarre scandal: explicit, nude images surfaced on a TV in his office during a State Board of Education meeting. Two board members reported the incident, prompting public uproar and an ongoing investigation.
Although a third-party review pegged the incident as a tech glitch, likely an accidental playback from a Samsung streaming service; Critics argue no educator could shrug off such an event without addressing why it happened or offering any apology.
When Learning Falls by the Wayside
The result of such turmoil?
- Distrust.
- Distracted leadership.
- De-professionalization of public schools.
Families can’t focus on literacy, attendance, and classroom resources when policymakers are busy drafting ideological tests or sparring over “appropriateness” in school libraries.
A Road to Redemption: What Must Happen in 2026
Oklahomans can change this narrative in the 2026 election cycle, focusing on real leadership and real learning—not spectacle.
- Demand substance over spectacle. Candidates must provide clear, actionable plans for improving literacy, class size, teacher pay, and mental health support, not ideology.
- Support teachers, not test-gatekeeping. Teachers should be invited to stay, not required to pass loyalty tests. Raise pay, empower professionals, and inspire teaching, not deter teaching.
- Hold leaders accountable for distractions. If leaders cannot be transparent about controversies, whether tech glitches or ideological flaps; they cannot lead education.
- Mobilize for voter turnout. Low turnout is the lifeline for political theater. Turn Oklahoma blue in education; not politically, but in seriousness and solidarity.
Our children are last not because they are. They deserve better lessons, better classrooms, and better leadership.
In 2026, let’s vote for the future—not the headlines.
Writing By: C. J. Webber-Neal, Photojournalist | Editing by Robbie Robertson
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