OHIO MAGA PUBLIC SCHOOL POWER GRAB HEADED FOR END GAME

 

OHIO MAGA PUBLIC SCHOOL POWER GRAB HEADED FOR END GAME

In the state of Ohio, the Republican party has launched a power grab over public education. Yes, you heard it right, they want to strip the State Board of Education of nearly all of its authority and place it in a new cabinet-level position under the governor. And why, you may ask? Well, because Democrats and teachers' unions won all three open seats on the board in the general election. Talk about sore losers!

But they're not alone in this power grab. The usual MAGA suspects have come out in full force to support this move. The Club for Growth, Center for Christian Virtue, American Federation for Children, Foundation for Excellence in Education, Walton Family Foundation, Thomas B. Fordham Institute, Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools, EdChoice Ohio, Ohio Catholic Conference, and Buckeye Institute are all behind this move. It's like a who's who of people who don't care about public education.

But what does this mean for public education in Ohio? Well, according to a New Republic article, it means devastation. The Republicans have been diverting funds to charter schools, voucher programs, and tax credits that benefit wealthy donors and private schools. And Ohio is a prime example of how this strategy has led to lower state education rankings, corruption scandals, and reduced accountability.

So what are the Republicans' views on education? According to a website that summarizes Republican views on various issues, they believe in limiting the federal government in education and giving more power to state and local authorities. They support school choice, merit pay for teachers, and standardized testing. Basically, they want to privatize education and turn it into a profit-making machine.

But not everyone is on board with this plan. Some of the detractors of public education in Ohio are the Ohio GOP legislature, Steve Dackin (the former state superintendent of public instruction who resigned after two weeks on the job amid ethics concerns), and school choice advocates. These groups argue that public education is a common good and should be funded and supported by the government.

On the other hand, some of the supporters of the GOP takeover of public education in Ohio are Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman, State Sen. Bill Reineke, and school choice advocates. They argue that the restructuring of the education system will create more accountability and efficiency in education policy and align it with workforce development.

But who are these school choice advocates? Well, they're groups or individuals who support vouchers, charter schools, tax credits and other alternatives to public education. They argue that these options provide more choice, competition and accountability in education. However, critics say that they divert funds from public education, lack transparency and oversight, and undermine public education as a common good.

So who's funding these school choice advocates? The Thomas B. Fordham Institute, Walton Family Foundation, Club for Growth, Children's Scholarship Fund, American Federation for Children, Foundation for Excellence in Education, and Buckeye Institute are just a few of the major foundations, groups, individuals and organizations that are supporting the GOP takeover of public education in Ohio.

But not everyone is buying into their rhetoric. The Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA), Community Relations - Advocacy program offered by OSBA, Public Education Partners are all advocating for public education in Ohio. They support adequate and equitable funding for public schools, oppose vouchers and charter schools that divert funds from public education, and promote transparency and accountability in education policy.

So what can we do to stop this power grab? Well, we can start by speaking out against it. We can contact our elected officials and let them know that we support public education and oppose any attempts to privatize it. We can also support organizations like OSBA and Public Education Partners that are fighting to protect public education in Ohio.

In conclusion, the Republicans in Ohio are trying to strip public education of its authority and turn it into a profit-making machine. But we can fight back against this power grab by speaking out and supporting organizations that are advocating for public education. After all, as they say, knowledge is power.

FOR SOME OF THE BEST REPORTING ON THE CRISIS IN OHIO PUBLIC EDUCATION FOLLOW JAN RESSEGER BLOG: jan resseger | "That all citizens will be given an equal start through a sound education is one of the most basic, promised rights of our democracy.  https://janresseger.wordpress.com/ 

THE DEFT DIVE

Some information on public education in Ohio and the Republican approach. Here are some of the main points:

• - **Ohio GOP launches a power grab over public education**: According to an analysis by WVXU, the Republican-controlled Ohio Senate has introduced a bill that would strip the state board of education of nearly all of its authority and place it in a new cabinet-level position under the governor. The bill was motivated by the fact that Democrats and teachers' unions won all three open seats on the board in the general election. The bill would also remove the board's oversight on contentious issues like critical race theory and transgender sports¹.
• - **Ohio Republican lawmakers introduce bill to ban divisive concepts from public schools**: Reps. Mike Loychik and Jean Schmidt have proposed a bill that aims to ban curriculum that promotes divisive or racist concepts in public schools, such as critical race theory, intersectionality, diversity, equity, and inclusion learning outcomes, and sexual orientation and gender identity for students in kindergarten through third grade. The bill's supporters say it promotes free and fair discussion, while its opponents say it is a disingenuous attack on educators and public schools².
• - **The Republican plan to devastate public education in America**: A New Republic article argues that Republicans across the country have been undermining public education by diverting funds to charter schools, voucher programs, and tax credits that benefit wealthy donors and private schools. The article cites Ohio as an example of how this strategy has led to lower state education rankings, corruption scandals, and reduced accountability³.
• - **Republican views on education**: According to a website that summarizes Republican views on various issues, Republicans believe in a restructuring of higher education that would leave more students equipped for their desired fields and less working minimum wage jobs. They also believe in limiting the federal government in education and giving more power to state and local authorities. They support school choice, merit pay for teachers, and standardized testing⁴.

Bing, 7/13/2023

(1) Analysis: Ohio GOP launches a power grab over public education ... - WVXU. https://www.wvxu.org/politics/2022-11-18/analysis-ohio-gop-legislature-power-grab-control-public-education.

(2) Ohio Republican lawmakers introduce bill to ban divisive concepts from .... https://news.ballotpedia.org/2022/05/02/ohio-republican-lawmakers-introduce-bill-to-ban-divisive-concepts-from-public-schools/.

(3) The Republican Plan To Devastate Public Education in America. https://newrepublic.com/article/167375/republican-plan-devastate-public-education-america.

(4) Republican Views on Education | Republican Views. https://www.republicanviews.org/republican-views-on-education/.

Some of the detractors of public education in Ohio are:

• - **Ohio GOP legislature**: According to an analysis by WVXU, the Republican-controlled Ohio Senate has introduced a bill that would strip the state board of education of nearly all of its authority and place it in a new cabinet-level position under the governor. The bill was motivated by the fact that Democrats and teachers' unions won all three open seats on the board in the general election. The bill would also remove the board's oversight on contentious issues like critical race theory and transgender sports¹.
• - **Steve Dackin**: He was the former state superintendent of public instruction who resigned after two weeks on the job amid ethics concerns. He had led the search for the state superintendent job as a state board member, then resigned from the board and applied for the job himself. He had also attended closed-door meetings about the job and potentially seen his competitors' applications. The Ohio Ethics Commission said it was likely to open an inquiry into his actions².
• - **School choice advocates**: These are groups or individuals who support vouchers, charter schools, tax credits and other alternatives to public education. They argue that these options provide more choice, competition and accountability in education. However, critics say that they divert funds from public education, lack transparency and oversight, and undermine public education as a common good³⁴.

Bing, 7/13/2023

(1) Analysis: Ohio GOP launches a power grab over public education ... - WVXU. https://www.wvxu.org/politics/2022-11-18/analysis-ohio-gop-legislature-power-grab-control-public-education.

(2) Ohio will keep looking for a leader of K-12 public education after .... https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2022/06/14/ohio-search-new-education-leader-after-surprise-resignation/7620333001/.

(3) Public Schools | Ohio Department of Education. https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Ohio-Education-Options/Public-Schools.

(4) Education Department - Ohio.gov. https://ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/site/government/state-agencies/department-of-education.

Some of the supporters of the GOP takeover of public education in Ohio are:

• - **Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman**: He is the leader of the Ohio Senate and the sponsor of Senate Bill 178, which would strip the state board of education of nearly all of its authority and place it in a new cabinet-level position under the governor. He said the bill would create more accountability and efficiency in education policy and align it with workforce development¹.
• - **State Sen. Bill Reineke**: He is the co-sponsor of Senate Bill 178 and a former state board of education member. He said the bill would modernize and streamline the education system and make it more responsive to the needs of students and employers¹³.
• - **School choice advocates**: These are groups or individuals who support vouchers, charter schools, tax credits and other alternatives to public education. They argue that these options provide more choice, competition and accountability in education. They may see the GOP takeover of public education as a way to advance their agenda and weaken the influence of public school supporters².

Bing, 7/13/2023

(1) Analysis: Ohio GOP launches a power grab over public education ... - WVXU. https://www.wvxu.org/politics/2022-11-18/analysis-ohio-gop-legislature-power-grab-control-public-education.

(2) SB 1 - HONESTY FOR OHIO EDUCATION. https://www.honestyforohioeducation.org/sb-1.html.

(3) Tell Legislators to Stop the State Takeover of Ohio Public Education .... https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-legislators-to-stop-the-state-takeover-of-ohio-public-education/.

Some of the school choice advocates, major foundations, groups, individuals and organizations that are supporting the GOP takeover of public education in Ohio are:

• - **Club for Growth**: This is a conservative group that supports pro-growth policies and candidates. It has been running ads against Ohio House Speaker Charles McCall, who opposes the bill that would strip the state board of education of its authority and place it under the governor. The group accuses McCall of "silencing parents" and supports school choice as a way to empower families and improve education¹.
• - **Center for Christian Virtue**: This is a Christian organization that promotes biblical values and policies in Ohio. It has praised the bill as a great way to expand educational opportunities in Ohio and supports school choice as a way to allow parents to choose the best education for their children according to their faith and values².
• - **Gov. Mike DeWine**: He is the Republican governor of Ohio who backs the bill that would restructure the education system and make it a cabinet-level agency under his control. He has said that the bill would create more accountability and efficiency in education policy and align it with workforce development³.

Bing, 7/13/2023

(1) Why School Choice is Roiling the GOP - U.S. News & World Report. https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2022-03-07/why-school-choice-is-suddenly-roiling-the-republican-party.

(2) Ohio Passes School Choice, Independence From District School Monopoly. https://www.dailysignal.com/2023/07/05/ohioans-declare-independence-district-school-monopoly/.

(3) Ohio GOP wants every K-12 student to be eligible for a school voucher. https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2021/05/06/ohio-house-republicans-want-universal-eligibility-school-vouchers/7154944002/.

Some of the organizations that support vouchers in Ohio are:

• - **School Choice Ohio**: This is a nonprofit organization that advocates for school choice policies and programs in Ohio. It provides information and resources to parents and students about the different education options available to them, including vouchers, charter schools, online schools, homeschooling, and more. It also supports legislation that expands school choice and empowers families¹.
• - **Buckeye Institute**: This is a conservative think tank that promotes free-market solutions and limited government in Ohio. It supports school choice as a way to improve educational outcomes, foster competition and innovation, and respect parental rights. It conducts research and analysis on various school choice policies and programs, such as vouchers, tax credits, education savings accounts, and more².
• - **Ohio Catholic Conference**: This is the official representative of the Catholic Church in public affairs in Ohio. It supports school choice as a way to uphold the dignity of the human person, promote the common good, and protect religious freedom. It advocates for policies that support Catholic schools and families, such as vouchers, tax credits, scholarships, and more³.

Bing, 7/13/2023

(1) Emergency Housing Vouchers Coming to Ohio – COHHIO. https://cohhio.org/emergency-housing-vouchers-in-arpa/.

(2) Assistance Programs - Ohio.gov. https://ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/site/residents/topic-hubs/home-and-community/assistance-programs.

(3) 7 Places to get Free Gas Cards - Free Financial Help. https://freefinancialhelp.net/free-gas-cards-for-low-income/.

(4) COHHIO – Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio. https://cohhio.org/.

Some of the organizations that support charter schools and private schools in Ohio are:

• - **Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools (OAPCS)**: This is a nonprofit organization that engages and serves Ohio’s public charter schools and the diverse students they represent by fostering or delivering excellence in governance, steadfast advocacy, superior services, relevant professional development and customized training. It provides information, resources, and support to charter schools, parents, and students. It also advocates for policies that promote charter school quality and growth¹.
• - **EdChoice Ohio**: This is a nonprofit organization that advocates for school choice policies and programs in Ohio. It provides information and resources to parents and students about the different education options available to them, including vouchers, tax credits, charter schools, online schools, homeschooling, and more. It also supports legislation that expands school choice and empowers families².
• - **Ohio Catholic Conference**: This is the official representative of the Catholic Church in public affairs in Ohio. It supports school choice as a way to uphold the dignity of the human person, promote the common good, and protect religious freedom. It advocates for policies that support Catholic schools and families, such as vouchers, tax credits, scholarships, and more³.

Bing, 7/13/2023

(1) oapcs.org. https://oapcs.org/.

(2) Ohio - EdChoice. https://www.edchoice.org/school-choice/state/ohio/.

(3) Ohio can't afford to prioritize private and charter schools over fully .... https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2023/02/10/ohio-cant-afford-to-prioritize-private-and-charter-schools-over-fully-funded-public-schools/.

(4) Private (Nonpublic) Schools – School Choice Ohio. https://scohio.org/education-options/private-schools/.

Some of the funders of school choice in Ohio are:

• - **Thomas B. Fordham Institute**: This is a conservative think tank and charter school sponsor that supports school choice policies and programs in Ohio. It conducts research and analysis on various school choice issues, such as vouchers, charter schools, accountability, and quality. It also advocates for policies that promote school choice and foster competition and innovation in education¹.
• - **Walton Family Foundation**: This is a philanthropic organization that supports school choice initiatives across the country, including in Ohio. It provides grants to various organizations that advocate for or operate school choice programs, such as vouchers, charter schools, tax credits, and education savings accounts. It also supports research and evaluation on the impact of school choice on student outcomes².
• - **Club for Growth**: This is a conservative group that supports pro-growth policies and candidates. It has been running ads against Ohio House Speaker Charles McCall, who opposes the bill that would strip the state board of education of its authority and place it under the governor. The group accuses McCall of "silencing parents" and supports school choice as a way to empower families and improve education³.

Bing, 7/13/2023

(1) Proposals would bring dramatic change to Ohio’s voucher program. https://apnews.com/article/ohio-voucher-school-choice-funding-0f5304861d4082e572db49c4981146b1.

(2) About Us – School Choice Ohio. https://scohio.org/about/.

(3) School Choice Ohio. https://scohio.org/.

(4) Scholarship Programs (Vouchers) – School Choice Ohio. https://scohio.org/education-options/scholarship-programs/.

(5) Bill would allow all Ohio kids to attend private schools using state .... https://www.statenews.org/government-politics/2021-10-07/new-bill-would-allow-all-k-12-ohio-kids-to-attend-private-schools-using-state-dollars.

Some of the other funders of school choice in Ohio are:

• - **Children's Scholarship Fund**: This is a national nonprofit organization that provides scholarships to low-income families to send their children to private schools of their choice. It partners with local organizations, such as the Northwest Ohio Scholarship Fund, to administer the scholarships and raise funds from donors¹.
• - **American Federation for Children**: This is a national advocacy organization that promotes school choice policies and programs across the country, including in Ohio. It supports candidates who are favorable to school choice, conducts public awareness campaigns, and provides information and resources to parents and students².
• - **Foundation for Excellence in Education**: This is a national nonprofit organization that supports education reform policies and initiatives, such as school choice, accountability, digital learning, and more. It provides research, analysis, advocacy, and technical assistance to policymakers and stakeholders in various states, including Ohio³.

Bing, 7/13/2023

(1) About Us – School Choice Ohio. https://scohio.org/about/.

(2) Ohio - EdChoice. https://www.edchoice.org/school-choice/state/ohio/.

(3) The States Ranked by Spending on School Choice Programs, 2022 Edition. https://www.edchoice.org/engage/the-states-ranked-by-spending-on-school-choice-programs-2022-edition/.

(4) School Choice Ohio | Find Grantmakers & Nonprofit Funders | Foundation .... https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?collection=grantmakers&key=9300013.

Some of the supporters of public education in Ohio are:

• - **Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA)**: This is an organization that engages and serves Ohio’s public school board members and the diverse districts they represent by fostering or delivering excellence in governance, steadfast advocacy, superior services, relevant professional development and customized training. OSBA has a legislative platform that states its positions on various issues facing public education and advocates for them with policymakers and the public¹.
• - **Community Relations - Advocacy**: This is a program offered by OSBA that helps board members become effective advocates for public education by providing them with tools, resources and training. The program emphasizes the link between quality public education and the economic and social health of a community and the impact of legislative mandates on student achievement².
• - **Public Education Partners**: This is a group of educators, parents and other interested parties advocating for public education in Ohio. The group supports adequate and equitable funding for public schools, opposes vouchers and charter schools that divert funds from public education, and promotes transparency and accountability in education policy. The group is also involved in litigation against the state over the legality of voucher programs³⁴.

Bing, 7/13/2023

(1) Legislative Platform | Ohio School Boards Association. https://www.ohioschoolboards.org/legislative-platform.

(2) Community Relations - Advocacy | Ohio School Boards Association. https://www.ohioschoolboards.org/community-relations-advocacy.

(3) Ohio public schools sue, challenge legality of voucher programs. https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2022/01/04/ohio-public-schools-sue-challenge-legality-voucher-programs/9080263002/.

(4) Opinion: What is Senate Bill 11. What will it do to public schools?. https://www.dispatch.com/story/opinion/columns/guest/2023/03/22/opinion-ohio-school-vouchers-what-is-senate-bill-11-what-will-it-do-to-public-schools-edchoice/69964355007/.

READING FOR FUN? NO LONGER FUN! SAY WHAT?

 

READING FOR FUN?  NO LONGER FUN! SAY WHAT?

It seems that reading for fun has become a thing of the past. According to recent reports, US students are experiencing a "crisis" when it comes to reading for pleasure. But why is this happening? And more importantly, what can we do about it?

First of all, let's talk about why reading for fun is important. Not only does it help improve your mental health by reducing stress and stimulating your brain, but it also exposes you to new topics, perspectives, and cultures. Plus, it's a great way to expand your vocabulary and learn more about yourself. And let's not forget the most important benefit of all - it's fun!

But despite all these benefits, it seems that fewer and fewer students are picking up a book just for the sake of enjoyment. According to the Nation's Report Card, only 14 percent of 13-year-olds and 11 percent of 17-year-olds reported reading for fun on their own time almost every day in 2020. That's lower than in previous years and even lower than the percentage of 9-year-olds who read for fun almost every day (a whopping 42 percent).

So what's the problem? Is it that students are too busy with schoolwork and extracurricular activities? Are they too distracted by technology and social media? Or maybe they just haven't found the right book yet?

Whatever the reason may be, we need to find a way to get students excited about reading again. One solution could be to recommend books that are both entertaining and educational. For example, why not try a humorous memoir like Tina Fey's "Bossypants" or a science fiction novel like "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy"? These types of books are not only fun to read, but they also offer valuable insights and perspectives.

Another solution could be to make reading more social. Start a book club with your friends or join an online community where you can discuss your favorite books with other readers. Not only will this make reading more enjoyable, but it will also help you stay motivated and accountable.

And finally, let's not forget that reading for fun should be just that - fun! Don't force yourself to read something you don't enjoy just because you think you should. There are plenty of books out there that cater to every interest and taste. Whether you prefer romance, mystery, fantasy, or non-fiction, there's something out there for everyone.

In conclusion, reading for fun is an important activity that should not be overlooked. It offers numerous benefits for both your personal and academic life, and most importantly, it's a great way to have a good time. So go ahead, pick up a book, and let yourself get lost in a world of words. Who knows, you might just discover a new favorite author or genre. And if all else fails, there's always the comic book section. Happy reading!

Reading for fun plunges to 'crisis' level for US students https://thehill.com/homenews/education/4093843-reading-for-fun-plunges-to-crisis-level-for-us-students/ 

THE DEFT DIVE

Reading for fun is a wonderful activity that can have many benefits for your personal and academic life. According to various sources, some of the benefits of reading for fun are:

• - Reading can help you improve your mental health by reducing stress, enhancing empathy, and stimulating your brain¹².
• - Reading can help you learn new things by exposing you to different topics, perspectives, and cultures¹²³.
• - Reading can improve your vocabulary by introducing you to new words and expressions¹²³.
• - Reading can help you learn more about yourself by allowing you to reflect on your own experiences, values, and goals¹².
• - Reading can be fun by engaging your imagination, curiosity, and emotions¹⁴.

Bing, 7/13/2023

(1) The Benefits of Reading for Fun - The Edvocate. https://www.theedadvocate.org/the-benefits-of-reading-for-fun/.

(2) The Benefits of Reading for Fun - Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/benefits-reading-fun.

(3) The Benefits of Reading for Pleasure | Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/benefits-reading-pleasure.

(4) The Benefits of Reading for Fun. https://www.thereadingtutor.com/single-post/the-benefits-of-reading-for-fun.

According to the **Nation's Report Card**, which is based on the **National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)**, only **14 percent** of 13-year-old students and **11 percent** of 17-year-old students reported reading for fun on their own time almost every day in 2020¹. These percentages were lower than in previous years and lower than the percentages for 9-year-old students, who reported reading for fun almost every day at **42 percent**¹.

Bing, 7/13/2023

(1) NAEP Long-term Trends: Reading: Student Experiences - Nation's Report Card. https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/ltt/reading/student-experiences/?age=9.

(2) The Nation's Report Card | NAEP - National Center for Education .... https://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/.

(3) NAEP Reading: Reading Results - Nation's Report Card. https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/reading/.

(4) The Nation's Report Card. http://www.nationsreportcard.gov/.

(5) NAEP Reading: Reading Highlights 2022 - Nation's Report Card. https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/highlights/reading/2022/.

FEARLESS LEADER RYAN WALTERS SAY TO WORK AT OSDE YOU GOTTA BE MAGA

 

FEARLESS LEADER RYAN WALTERS SAY TO WORK AT OSDE YOU GOTTA BE MAGA 

Fearless Leader Ryan Walters, AKA Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Education, has demanded that all job applicants take a loyalty oath to support his policies. Yes, you read that right. A loyalty oath. In 2023. 

Now, I don't know about you, but the last time I heard about a loyalty oath was in some dystopian novel where the government had taken over and was forcing its citizens to swear allegiance to the regime. But apparently, this is now a thing in Oklahoma. 

According to reports, job applicants are being asked if they support Superintendent Walters and his initiatives. But when asked to clarify what those initiatives are, the applicants are left scratching their heads. Because apparently, even the people who work for the guy don't know what his policies are. 

OSDE applicant pre-screening questions. Photo courtesy: Michelle Strain.

One applicant was quoted as saying, "We haven't been allowed to do social emotional learning here or talk about it really. We've had to remove it from our presentations, our digital resources." Is this appropriate? Is this legal? Who knows? But it's definitely not funny. 

So let's take a moment to appreciate the sheer audacity of Fearless Leader Ryan Walters. He's demanding loyalty from his employees without even telling them what they're being loyal to. It's like asking someone to swear allegiance to a blank sheet of paper. 

But fear not, my fellow Oklahomans. I have a plan. We should all show up at the next job interview with a loyalty oath of our own. It would go something like this: 

"I pledge my undying allegiance to the great state of Oklahoma and its people. I promise to always put their needs first, to work tirelessly for their betterment, and to never ask them to swear loyalty to me without first telling them what they're swearing loyalty to. So help me God." 

Boom. Problem solved. We can all go back to our jobs knowing that we're not blindly following some politician's whims without knowing what they are. 

In all seriousness though, this is a troubling trend that we're seeing across the country. Politicians are demanding loyalty from their employees and constituents without giving them any reason to be loyal in the first place. It's a slippery slope that can lead to some very dark places. 

So let's all take a stand against this kind of behavior. Let's demand transparency and accountability from our elected officials. And let's never forget that our loyalty should always be to the people we serve, not the other way around.

OSDE allegedly asks applicants political, loyalty based questions in pre-screening interview https://kfor.com/news/local/osde-allegedly-asks-applicants-political-loyalty-based-questions-in-pre-screening-interview/ 

Oklahoma Students Explain The Tulsa Race Massacre https://www.theonion.com/oklahoma-students-explain-the-tulsa-race-massacre-1850632258 

THE DEFT DIVE

Some information about Ryan Walters, the current Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Here are some facts I found from my web search:

• - Ryan Walters was born on May 23, 1985 in McAlester, Oklahoma².
• - He has a BA degree from Harding University and taught history at McAlester High School for eight years¹².
• - He was a finalist for the Oklahoma Teacher of the Year in 2016 and served on various state commissions related to education².
• - He was the executive director of Oklahoma Achieves and Every Kid Counts Oklahoma, two nonprofit organizations that advocated for school choice and parental involvement in education²³.
• - He was appointed by Governor Kevin Stitt as the Secretary of Education of Oklahoma in September 2020 and served until April 2023² .
• - He was elected as the State Superintendent of Public Instruction in November 2022, defeating Democrat Jena Nelson with 57% of the vote³⁴.
• - He supports school choice, funding students instead of systems, and fighting against "left-wing indoctrination" in schools³⁴.

Some of the controversies and scandals that have been reported since he was appointed are:

• - A federal audit found that the Bridge the Gap program that he oversaw as Secretary of Education had few safeguards to prevent fraud or abuse and that COVID-19 relief money was distributed through the program without proper oversight.
• - House Democrats called for his resignation over the audit findings, but Governor Stitt defended him and praised his work.
• - It was revealed that he remained the executive director of Every Kid Counts Oklahoma while serving as Secretary of Education and received a higher salary from the nonprofit than from the state. The nonprofit was funded by national groups that supported school privatization and charter school expansion, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest.

Bing, 7/13/2023

(1) Ryan Walters (politician) - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Walters_%28politician%29.

(2) State Superintendent of Public Instruction - Ryan Walters. https://sde.ok.gov/superintendent-public-instruction-ryan-walters.

(3) Ryan Walters elected as Oklahoma's next schools superintendent. https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/politics/elections/state/2022/11/09/ryan-walters-beat-jena-nelson-to-take-oklahoma-schools-superintendent/69611621007/.

(4) Election 2022: Ryan Walters wins race for State Superintendent. https://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news/election-2022-jena-nelson-ryan-walters-race-for-state-superintendent.

Some of his supporters are:

• - Governor Kevin Stitt, who appointed him as Secretary of Education and endorsed him for State Superintendent¹.
• - The Republican Party of Oklahoma, which nominated him as their candidate for State Superintendent and praised his victory².
• - The State Chamber of Oklahoma, which hired him as the executive director of Oklahoma Achieves and supported his school choice agenda³.
• - The Walton Family Foundation and other national groups that funded Every Kid Counts Oklahoma and advocated for school privatization and charter school expansion⁴.

Some of his critics are:

• - House Democrats, who called for his resignation over the federal audit of the Bridge the Gap program and accused him of mismanaging federal funds.
• - The Oklahoma Education Association, which represents public school teachers and opposed his stance on House Bill 1775, which bans teaching certain concepts about race and gender.
• - The Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission, which condemned his comments about the Tulsa Race Massacre and said they were "inaccurate and insensitive".
• - Educators and parents who expressed frustration with his "dangerous" rhetoric and his promotion of a video that claimed public schools were indoctrinating students with leftist ideology.

Bing, 7/13/2023

(1) Ryan Walters hits back at critics, says his comments about Tulsa Race .... https://news.yahoo.com/ryan-walters-hits-back-critics-035500453.html.

(2) We fact-checked Ryan Walters on misspent federal money and more claims .... https://www.readfrontier.org/stories/we-fact-checked-ryan-walters-on-misspent-federal-money-and-more-claims/.

(3) Superintendent Ryan Walters resigns from pro-school choice nonprofit. https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/politics/government/2023/01/09/superintendent-ryan-walters-resigns-from-pro-school-choice-nonprofit/69791290007/.

(4) Educators, parents frustrated w/Superintendent Walters’ “dangerous .... https://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news/video-shown-by-ryan-walters-at-boe-meeting-garners-backlash.