Oklahoma State Superintendent's Controversial Video Mandate

Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters has sparked significant controversy with his decision to force public schools to show a video in which he spews right-wing rhetoric and asks students to pray for Donald Trump. This move has drawn criticism from various quarters, including the state's Republican attorney general who claims there is no statutory authority for such an action.

"Oklahoma Education in Crisis: Walters' Controversial Move"

Defense of the Video

Walters argues that his video is in line with Donald Trump's call for bringing prayer back to schools. He emphasizes that his agenda aligns with what parents want and that every county in Oklahoma voted for Trump. He states, "President Trump has a clear mandate. He wants prayer back in school. He wants radical leftism out of the classroom, wants our kids to be patriotic, wants parents back in charge with school choice." However, many question the authority he has to demand such a thing.

Even as he defends his actions, it's important to consider the implications. The email sent to superintendents details the newly created Department of Religious Liberty and Patriotism and its first step of requiring all Oklahoma schools to play the attached video to enrolled students and send it to parents. But this seemingly violates the Constitution's separation of church and state.

Many of the state's largest school districts have chosen not to show the video, highlighting the potential legal issues at hand. Oklahoma already ranks 49th in the country for grade-school education quality, and some argue that resources should be focused on improving education rather than on such controversial matters.

Attorney General's Stance

Phil Bacharach, a spokesman for the state attorney general's office, clearly states that there is no statutory authority for the state schools superintendent to require all students to watch a specific video. He emphasizes that this edict is not only unenforceable but also contrary to parents' rights, local control, and individual free-exercise rights.

This stance raises questions about the legality and appropriateness of Walters' actions. It shows a clear divide between the superintendent's views and those of the legal authorities.

As the situation unfolds, it becomes evident that Walters' decisions have far-reaching consequences for Oklahoma's education system and the separation of church and state.

Unfunded Education Priorities

Rather than focusing on improving education, Walters is seeking to spend millions of the state's education funding on thousands of Trump-endorsed Bibles for classrooms. This mandate to teach the Bibles in all public schools from grades five through 12 has drawn the ire of many.

The ACLU is suing Oklahoma over this Bible-education mandate, arguing that it imposes Walters' personal religious beliefs on other people's children, violating Oklahomans' religious freedom and the separation of church and state.

It's not the first time Oklahoma has faced trouble for trying to infuse religion into public education. In June, the Oklahoma Supreme Court blocked a state policy to fund religious charter schools, emphasizing the nonsectarian nature of public schools.

These actions highlight the ongoing struggle to balance religious beliefs and the need for a secular education system in Oklahoma.