Oklahoma’s Superintendent of Public Schools, Ryan Walters, has suggested that history classes should include teaching the Bible. This controversial proposal follows a series of contentious statements and actions made by Walters, who has previously perpetuated transphobic misinformation, criticized teachers’ unions, and attempted to introduce rules banning LGBTQ+ books and transgender bathroom access in schools.
Battling “Radical Ideology”
In a recent video, Walters contrasted his view of what should be taught in schools with what he perceives as a “radical ideology” being pushed in classrooms, which he claims includes gender theory and graphic pornography. Walters called for teaching the U.S. Constitution, the Federalist Papers, and the Bible, so that students can understand the history and core principles of the country. He also accused the radical leftists and the Biden administration of wanting to “sexualize” children.
Controversial Actions and Statements
Walters’ comments come shortly after Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt accused the state’s PBS TV station of “indoctrinating” and “overly sexualizing” children for broadcasting cartoons featuring lesbian characters. Stitt has also signed anti-trans bathroom bills and legislation criminalizing the provision of gender-affirming care to transgender youth.
In April, Walters announced rules prohibiting “pornographic material” and “sexualized content” in public school libraries, including 190 LGBTQ+ titles. Critics argue that if Walters and other conservatives are so concerned about “pornographic” content, they should apply the same standard to the Bible, which contains stories of incest, bestiality, prostitution, and other explicit content.
Legal Challenges and Charter School Connections
Oklahoma’s Republican Attorney General Gentner Drummond invalidated Walters’ new rules, declaring them unenforceable because the state legislature had not authorized any state agency to create rules on banning books or notifying parents about students’ gender identity.
Walters’ connections to the conservative-led charter school movement have also raised eyebrows. As the executive director of Every Kid Counts Oklahoma, Walters received approximately $120,000 in annual pay, funded largely by advocates for taxpayer-funded private charter schools. Critics argue that the charter school movement aims to weaken public education in favor of for-profit private schools, which can legally exclude students or topics they disapprove of.