Oklahoma Superintendent Ryan Walters Mandates Debunked Election Lies in Schools

New Oklahoma Curriculum Includes Election Conspiracy Theories

• 🎯 Oklahoma's new $33 million social studies curriculum for high school students will require teachers to present debunked claims about the 2020 election.
• 💡 Students will be taught that the election may have been stolen from Donald Trump, with specific talking points about early ballot counting, mail-in ballot issues, and voting machine problems.
• 🧠 This curriculum is the initiative of Ryan Walters, the Superintendent of all schools in Oklahoma, who has been a controversial figure.

Criticism of Walters and Educational Standards

• 📉 Despite the controversy, Oklahoma's students are empirically in the bottom five for math and science scores, with a widening gap between top and bottom schools.
• 📊 The state ranks high on a "freedom score," which reflects the ability to use vouchers for non-public schools, but this does not appear to improve testing scores.
• ⚠️ Critics argue that Walters is prioritizing "lightning rod politics" and jockeying for higher office over the actual education of Oklahoma's children.

Allegations of Deception in Curriculum Approval

• 🧐 Judd Legum's reporting suggests Walters may have misled the board responsible for approving the curriculum.
• 🗓️ Walters allegedly submitted the new curriculum, including the election lies, at the close of business the day before a board meeting, creating a false sense of urgency.
• ⏳ Board members felt pressured to approve the over 400-page document without adequate review, despite having over two months until the legislative deadline.

Political Strategy and Grassroots Organizing

• 🚀 The discussion highlights a broader trend of right-wing grassroots organizations, like "Moms for Liberty," rapidly gaining power in education.
• 🗣️ There's a call for the left and center-left to become more vocal and focused on local school boards and education policy, rather than relying solely on large protests.
• 🚩 The strategy of using fear for children's safety and focusing on divisive social issues is seen as effective in winning elections at the local level.

Call for Focus on Real Education

• 📚 Critics suggest that the $33 million allocated for the curriculum could be better spent on updating classroom technology, new textbooks, or increasing teacher salaries.
• 🚫 The emphasis should be on providing real education rather than pushing conspiracy theories or engaging in divisive political tactics.
• ✅ Parents are urged to remember these issues when voting in future elections.