A MAGA Troll Almost Ran a Whole State's Public School System Into the Ground. They Might Just Elect Another One.

Lindel Fields, Oklahoma’s superintendent of public instruction, frames his role as building a foundation for a strong public education system. He emphasizes improving students’ literacy scores and ensuring school districts adequately support and retain teachers. Fields is completing Ryan Walters’ term and is not running in the November election. Walters previously left the role after conflict with Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt and tensions with the state Board of Education. Walters’ policies drew national attention, including calls for Bibles in classrooms, book bans, anti-diversity measures, and ideological tests for teachers, leading to lawsuits and protests. Educators report lasting fear and disruption during Walters’ tenure.

"Lindel Fields, Oklahoma's superintendent of public instruction, described his work as building a foundation for a strong public education system. And the foundation of a house isn't sexy, right? He hopes that once students' literacy scores improve and school districts adequately support and retain teachers, people will forget who built the foundation."

"The new superintendent is finishing Walters' term and not running for the position in November, an election considered key to Oklahoma's educational future. Walters, who had a falling-out with Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt and riled state Board of Education members, left to lead the Teacher Freedom Alliance, formed by the conservative activist Freedom Foundation to challenge existing teachers unions."

"Walters' MAGA-style edicts calling for Bibles in classrooms, book bans, anti-diversity measures, and ideological tests for teachers coming from blue states drew national attention, spurred lawsuits and protests, and plunged Oklahoma public education into chaos. (Through a spokesperson, Walters declined to be interviewed or respond to a list of detailed questions.)"

"Educators still experience some PTSD, said April Grace, a former school superintendent and member of the Choctaw Nation who in 2022 lost to Walters in the Republican primary for state superintendent. During Walters' tenure, there was a lot of fear, said Grace, who is now the executive director of the nonprofit Oklahoma Public Sc"

Read at slate.com