Ryan Deatherage Board Member | Oklahoma Department of Education
Superintendent Ryan Walters of Oklahoma has emphasized the significance of parental involvement in education. By advocating for expanded school choice, increased curriculum transparency, and accountability within school boards, Walters aims to give Oklahoma families a significant role in shaping their children's educational futures.
Superintendent Walters stresses the benefits of parental involvement, noting that it leads to better academic performance, improved attendance, and higher graduation rates for students. He believes that parents should have insight into the educational content their children receive and the opportunity to question material that they consider inappropriate or inconsistent with their values.
Walters advocates for school choice, allowing families to select from public, private, charter, or homeschooling options to best meet their children's educational needs. According to him, “Oklahoma parents know what’s best for their kids—not bureaucrats, not unions, and not political activists,” emphasizing the need for parental empowerment in selecting educational paths.
Walters asserts that empowering parents also serves as a mechanism to hold educational boards and administrators accountable, with the aim of preventing classroom activism and ensuring the focus remains on education. He also highlights that parental involvement ensures schools align with the values and goals of the communities they serve.
In his statement, Walters said, “We’re giving families the power to decide, keeping schools accountable, and ensuring that education stays focused on students, not agendas. Our children’s future is too important to be left in the hands of special interests.”
Walters remains dedicated to safeguarding parental rights and supporting the provision of high-quality education for every child in Oklahoma.
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