Oklahoma's Ryan Walters Announces Advisory Committee to Streamline Trump's Education Changes
Walters, a Republican, said the committee will review existing education policies and make recommendations for changes.
Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters has announced the creation of an advisory committee to review existing education policies and make recommendations for changes in line with former President Donald Trump's education agenda.
The committee will be chaired by Walters and will include members from various stakeholder groups, including teachers, parents, administrators, and business leaders.
Walters said the committee's goal is to develop a set of recommendations that will help improve Oklahoma's education system and make it more aligned with Trump's education priorities.
The committee will focus on the following areas:
- School choice
- Teacher quality
- Curriculum
- Assessment
- Funding
Walters said the committee will meet regularly over the next several months and will issue a report with its recommendations in the spring of 2023.
The creation of the advisory committee is the latest in a series of moves by Walters to implement Trump's education agenda in Oklahoma.
In 2021, Walters signed an executive order banning critical race theory from being taught in Oklahoma schools.
He has also been a vocal supporter of school choice and has proposed a number of measures to expand school choice options for Oklahoma families.
The creation of the advisory committee has been met with mixed reactions.
Some education advocates have expressed concern that the committee will be used to push a partisan agenda and undermine public education.
Others have welcomed the committee's creation, saying that it will provide a much-needed opportunity to review Oklahoma's education policies and make recommendations for improvement.
