The controversy surrounding Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters continues to escalate as parents and educators push back against his directives involving religion in the classroom. Walters recently mandated that a prayer video, in which he prays for political figures including former President Donald Trump, be shown in all Oklahoma classrooms. This move has sparked significant backlash, with many parents and educators voicing concerns over its appropriateness and legality.
A non-profit organization, Defense of Democracy, has stepped in to provide opt-out forms for parents who wish to shield their children from Walters’ initiatives. These forms allow parents to specifically reject their child’s participation in the prayer video and Walters’ broader push to integrate the Bible into classroom instruction.
Karen Svoboda, Executive Director of Defense of Democracy, noted a strong response from Oklahoma parents, many of whom feel “panicked” and “devastated” by Walters’ actions. Erica Watkins, the organization’s State Director, emphasized that the opt-out forms empower schools to demonstrate widespread parental opposition, potentially bolstering resistance to the directives.
Legal experts and educators argue that Walters’ mandates overstep constitutional boundaries, citing concerns about the separation of church and state. Several school districts have already declined to show the prayer video, with others likely to follow suit.
While Walters has defended his actions as a stance against “state-sponsored atheism” and as a way to support religious expression in schools, critics assert that his focus on ideological issues detracts from the primary goal of education. Walters has not responded to local media inquiries about the opt-out forms but has remained vocal in national interviews about his commitment to these policies.
The situation highlights ongoing debates over the role of religion in public education and the balance between personal beliefs and constitutional rights. As the controversy unfolds, the response from Oklahoma’s parents and educators may shape the future of these contentious directives.