OKLAHOMA CITY (KNWA/KFTA) — Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters is stepping down, he announced in an interview on FOX News Wednesday night.
Walters said he would be the CEO of the newly created Teacher Freedom Alliance, which describes itself as an organization that “exists to assist educators in their mission to develop free, moral, and upright American citizens.” The group’s website says it will act as a “viable alternative” to teachers’ unions.
Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters presides over a special state Board of Education meeting discuss to the U.S. Department of Education’s “Proposed Change to its Title IX Regulations on Students’ Eligibility for Athletic Teams”, Wednesday, April 12, 2023, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
“I’m excited to announce I’ll be stepping down as Oklahoma State Superintendent and taking on the role as the CEO of the Teacher Freedom Alliance,” Walters said to FOX News’ Trace Gallagher.
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Since Walters was elected as state superintendent in November 2022, he has faced multiple lawsuits, arguments with school leaders and several other controversies.
Walters’ resignation comes just days after he announced his push to have a Turning Point USA (TPUSA) Club America Chapter in every Oklahoma high school. He said in a news release that the nonprofit organization, founded by the late Charlie Kirk, will be implemented in schools to help “fight back against the liberal propaganda, pushed by the radical left, and the teachers unions.”
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond released the following statement after the announcement:
“Ever since Gov. Stitt appointed Ryan Walters to serve as Secretary of Education, we have witnessed a stream of never-ending scandal and political drama. From the mishandling of pandemic relief funds that resulted in families buying Xboxes and refrigerators to the latest squabbling with board members over what was or wasn’t showing on TV, the Stitt-Walters era has been an embarrassment to our state.
Even worse, test scores and reading proficiency are at historic lows.
It’s time for a State Superintendent of Public Instruction who will actually focus on quality instruction in our public schools. Gov. Stitt used to say he would make us Top Ten, but after seven years we are ranked 50th in education. Our families, our students and our teachers deserve so much more.“
Democratic lawmakers have also released statements in response to Walters’ resignation.
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Oklahoma Senate Democrat Leader Julia Kirt (D-Oklahoma City) gave the following statement after Walters’ resignation was announced:
“It’s no surprise Ryan Walters has chosen his own personal ambitions over serving our students and teachers, like he always has. Republicans failed to hold him accountable to do his job and they should be embarrassed he’s left this office of his own accord. I am looking forward to working with the next state superintendent to return the focus to our students, teachers, and schools, where it should have been all along.”
Sen. Jo Anna Dossett (D-Tulsa) said the following:
“Thank God.”
The Oklahoma State Board of Education is scheduled to hold its September meeting on Thursday at 9:30 a.m. The agenda indicates that Walters will have remarks at the beginning of the meeting; however, it does not mention a resignation announcement.
Walters’ term as state superintendent was set to end in January 2027.
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