Ryan Walters supports eliminating U.S. Department of Education, move toward block grants
By Justin Allen Rose Published: Nov. 8, 2024 at 12:33 PM CST OKLAHOMA CITY (KSWO) - Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters sent a memo on Thursday, Nov. 7, detailing how he believes eliminating the U.S. Department of Education would improve public education.
“The federal government has hijacked our education system, using taxpayer dollars to impose harmful policies and control what is taught in our schools,” the memo started.
Within the memo, Walters listed five priorities he wants championed as, “.... we prepare for important and impactful changes to public education policy in the coming months....”
Championing Parental Rights
Ending Social Indoctrination in Classroom
Protecting Patriotism in Curriculum
Stopping Illegal Immigration’s Impact on Schools
Blocking Foreign Influence in Our Schools
Walters states the Oklahoma State Department of Education will be directing their resources to make sure the above priorities are supported to make sure the state’s schools can adapt to possible changes.
The state superintendent also mentioned how the federal government moving toward the use of more block grants could allow states to take back educational authority.
Block grants are federal government grants sent to local and state governments for board purposes. These types of grants allow for flexibility in use, allowing state governments to disperse funds with more ease with less federal auditing and rules on where and what the grant can be used for.
Critics of block grant use say less federal oversight could lead to misappropriation of funds by state and local officials.
Categorical grants in contrast have to be used for more specific purposes and the federal government will audit its use to ensure compliance.
Good start, but this effort needs to include a complete reformation of the way teacher education happens at the university level.
Let's cut off the head of the snake first....
Point me to "THE HEAD"
I see a hydra with many heads and the U.S. Department of Education being one of them.
That is the main head.
And as a resident of OK, I support our State Superentendant.
The rest of you guys can start by cleaning up your own states.
Damn straight!
https://sde.ok.gov/press-release/2024-11-07/regarding-elimination-us-department-education
Regarding the Elimination of U.S. Department of Education
Posted on November 07, 2024 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The federal government has hijacked our education system, using taxpayer dollars to impose harmful policies and control what is taught in our schools. This memo addresses five major areas where eliminating the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) and moving to block grants would restore authority to states, allowing communities - not Washington bureaucrats - to decide what is best for their children.
Championing Parents’ Rights: The Biden administration labeled parents as threats and tried to silence their concerns. States, when restored control, will ensure parents’ voices are not just heard but respected.
Ending Social Indoctrination in Classrooms: Federal funds have been used to force radical agendas, like promoting boys in girls' sports and pushing divisive gender and racial ideologies. With block grants, states can reject these mandates and focus on real education over propaganda.
Protecting Patriotism in Curriculum: Schools are pressured to teach books that undermine American values and ignore the truth about American history. By removing federal overreach, states can make sure students learn a patriotic curriculum that respects our country and honors our shared heritage.
Stopping Illegal Immigration’s Impact on Schools: Open border policies flood schools with unregulated demands, stretching resources meant for American kids. States, free from federal overreach, could manage these impacts in ways that protect classrooms and prioritize their communities.
Blocking Foreign Influence in Our Schools: Federal policies tie funding to outside agendas, allowing China and other adversaries to infiltrate our education system. Without federal strings, states could reject foreign interference and ensure schools promote only American values.
As we prepare for important and impactful changes to public education policy in the coming months, the Oklahoma State Department of Education will be directing agency resources to ensure the above priorities are championed and that Oklahoma schools are equipped to smoothly adapt while maintaining the highest standards of education for our students.
View Official Press Release
It's always been a puzzle how my parents, educated in a dirt poor school system, in the middle of nowhere, pre WW II, wrote with better grammar and more coherently than kids who came from exclusive schools and elite colleges. How did that happen?
Home schooling and home school co-ops ONLY!!!
When I was a kid there was no Dept of Education. We had Regents, and along with that, Regents diplomas, Regents exams, and especially, Regents scholarships, one of which I got. No tuition at Syracuse for four years. Regents scholarship. It was a great thing to get. We could bring those back. I got a great education at my tiny little school, and when I got to Syracuse, I was put in an advanced music theory course, because a bunch of us gave up our lunch period for several days a week to study theory, and we learned a lot! We can do it well in our state, now that maybe the lefties will be dispersed. We hope......
It is ludicrous to put non-English speaking students in mainstream classrooms. They need to be segregated into fast track English and no other subjects until English is mastered. Illegals must understand when they break our laws, they are entitled to nothing: education elementary through college, legal aid, health care, housing, EBT, food allowances. NOTHING, means nothing! You must come LEGALLY, bring a skill, have sufficient income to self support for several months. Any NGO or religious group attempting to bring anyone must go through legal channels or face steep fines and imprisonment. No taxpayer funding will be permitted. DJT needs to put a halt to any new legal immigration until the border disaster is cleaned up and illegals deported, the wall if finished on the Southern and northern border and security in place for East and west borders. DJT must make it illegal to bring in on work visas foreigners who take our jobs. It is big to bring in IT workers from foreign countries or to outsource. Either the companies higher American or pay a steep price to outsource. It does not hold true that outsourced workers are more qualified. I know of two instances where out sourcing to India did not work out. Companies do it to increase profits. DJT must end this. Many times call centers too are out of the country.
MEGA!