KOSU - District 91��Ƭistration

Oklahoma’s new superintendent clarifies end of controversial education policies

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 13:04:59 +0000

Superintendent Lindel Fields recently announced that he would not move forward with Walters’ plans to require a Bible in every Oklahoma public school classroom. Today, he clarified that Bibles are still available in school libraries and on school computers.

“Last week’s decision does not remove Bibles from our schools,” Fields wrote. “It simply removes the expectation that teachers will use the Bible as curriculum for all grade levels and subjects.”

In his message to educators, Fields also clarified that the “America First Teacher Test” from PragerU is not a requirement for any Oklahoma teaching certification. In July, Walters announced he planned to require new teachers from states with “progressive education policies” to take the test, aiming to weed out “radical leftist ideology that California and New York have fostered.”

Superintendent Walters announces new office to ensure ‘right to pray’ in Oklahoma schools

Thu, 14 Nov 2024 16:01:48 +0000

State Schools Superintendent Ryan Walters announced the creation of the Office of Religious Liberty and Patriotism.

A press release from Walters said the new office within the state Department of Education is in line with a top education priority of President-elect Trump—Freedom to Pray—and will be charged with ensuring parents, teachers and students can practice their religion and display their patriotism freely. It will also oversee investigations when pushback inevitably comes over allowing the open practice of religion in public schools.

“The radical left never misses a chance to co-opt the teacher unions and their minions to indoctrinate our children against traditional values of faith and family,” Walters said. He also said declining academic outcomes in Oklahoma’s public schools are directly linked to the dismantling of those values. He said guidance will be issued in the coming days to make sure the right to pray in schools is safeguarded.

Oklahoma lawmakers subpoena State Superintendent Ryan Walters after repeated information requests went ignored

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 15:22:59 +0000

Oklahoma House Members issued a subpoena to State Superintendent Ryan Walters Tuesday after several requests for information and documents went ignored.

The subpoena comes from Rep. Mark McBride (R-Moore), who chairs the Education Appropriations and Budget Committee; Rep. Rhonda Baker (R-Yukon), who chairs the Common Education Committee; and Speaker of the House Charles McCall (R-Atoka).

They’re demanding answers to questions about Oklahoma’s Teacher Sign-On Bonus program, what Walters is doing to help districts where many students are not performing at grade level and a new software program purchased to manage the department’s data and analytics.

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Oklahoma school districts report unusual delay in receiving federal money

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 12:41:13 +0000

Millions in federal funds are yet to be paid to Oklahoma school districts, who complained the state Department of Education has had significant delays in processing their claims.

Midwest City-Del City Public Schools typically has its federal spending plans approved by the state by the end of September, Superintendent Rick Cobb said.

It’s usually a quick process after that to receive federal reimbursements, which support employee salaries, teacher training and extra resources for students.

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