Oklahoma Superintendent Ryan Walters backs Trump’s education plan

Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters has thrown his support behind President-elect Donald Trump’s plan to potentially eliminate the U.S. Department of Education (DOE).

“I look forward to working hand in hand with the Trump Administration to help dismantle the decades of damage the [federal government] has inflicted on public education,” he wrote on social media on Thursday.

In a memo to Oklahoma school superintendents and families, Walters outlined five benefits to disbanding the federal education department: 

• Restoring parental rights: “The Biden administration labeled parents as threats and tried to silence their concerns. States, when restored control, will ensure parents’ voices are not just heard but respected.” 

• Ending social indoctrination: “Federal funds have been used to force radical agendas, like promoting boys in girls’ sports and pushing divisive gender and racial ideologies.” Without a federal education department, schools would be solely funded by state and local sources.” 

• Protecting patriotism: “By removing federal overreach, states can make sure students learn a patriotic curriculum that respects our country and honors our shared heritage.”  

• Undoing the harms of illegal immigration: “Open border policies flood schools with unregulated demands, stretching resources meant for American kids. States, free from federal overreach, could manage these impacts in ways that protect classrooms and prioritize their communities.” 

• Blocking foreign influence: “Federal policies tie funding to outside agendas, allowing China and other adversaries to infiltrate our education system. Without federal strings, states could reject foreign interference and ensure schools promote only American values.” 

Walters concluded by promising to make the transition as smooth as possible for Oklahoma schools and students.  

“The Oklahoma State Department of Education will be directing agency resources to ensure the above priorities are championed and that Oklahoma schools are equipped to smoothly adapt while maintaining the highest standards of education for our students,” he said.  

While eliminating the DOE might seem extreme, the agency’s short history has been riddled with controversy. 

Since its inception in 1979, congressmen have questioned whether education falls within the constitutional purview of the federal government. 

Ronald Reagan proposed getting rid of the department in the 1980s, and the GOP renewed his suggestion in its 1996 party platform. 

However, dismantling the department wouldn’t necessarily eliminate all of its services.  

Education policy expert Jonathan Butcher has suggested its more important functions could be delegated to other government agencies. 

For example, discrimination complaints that currently go to the DOE’s Office for Civil Rights could be moved to the Department of Justice, and student loans could be handled by the Department of the Treasury.