Parents face an unprecedented environment when it comes to their children’s education today. The fast-paced flow of information on social media networks, the content their children are exposed to on streaming and web-based entertainment platforms, the barrage of push notifications peppering their child’s phone screen — these are a mesmerizing addition to the basic, often subtle influence of state and federal education policy in the classroom.
Everywhere they turn, today’s parents are bombarded with education-related information, and most of it is one-way: “Do this. Don’t do that!” Oklahoma State Secretary of Education Ryan Walters says enough is enough. It’s time parents had a greater say in what their kids learn, how they learn it and what kind of environment their kids are exposed to in public schools.
Parental choice is at the forefront of Walters’ education policy. His platform is built upon the idea that parents have a right to greater involvement in their child’s education, and that right includes the ability to direct the federal dollars provided for their child’s education to the school of their choice.
Some have argued that such redirection of state and federal funds will cripple rural schools in Oklahoma. We reject that argument. Walters, a rural educator himself, has pledged support for public schools throughout the state. He has repeatedly pledged his support, specifically, to rural schools and their teachers. He has pledged support for rural ag programs like 4-H and FFA and stood in support of parents and teachers in rural districts as secretary of education any time they’ve asked for his help.
In Walters, Oklahoma parents finally have a true partner. Oklahoma teachers have someone who will stand up for their interests — their direct interests. More importantly, rural Oklahomans finally have a partner who will represent their interests as vigorously as those of their urban contemporaries.
In our view, Ryan Walters is the best choice for Oklahoma superintendent of public instruction. We urge voters to cast their ballot for Ryan Walters this November.