The Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction is at it again

[retrofade]

First he forced the State to purchase Trump bibles, and now this...

 

OK School Chief Ryan Walters directed all public school teachers in his state to play this video to students, where he says a prayer for Trump. pic.twitter.com/1UoLTS58vz

— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) November 18, 2024

[retrofade]

State Superintendent Ryan Walters emailed every Oklahoma superintendent, saying he's requiring all Oklahoma schools play a roughly 90 second video to all kids who are enrolled and send it to their parents.

There was some confusion after the video went out, Bixby and Edmond Public Schools, said that OSDE recalled the email sent to them before resending the original video, and email with no changes.

Walters has clarified that the video and emails were recalled because of an issue with the link which was corrected in the second email.

In the video, Walters prays for Oklahoma kids and stresses that students do not have to join him in prayer.

He also explains why he created the Department of Religious Liberty and Patriotism within the State Department of Education and its role.

""Dear God, thank you for all the blessings you've given our country. I pray for our leaders to make the right decisions, I pray inparticular for President Donald Trump and his team as they continue to bring about change to the country. I pray for our parents, teachers and kids that they get the best education possible and live high quality lives. I also pray that we continue to teach love of country to our young people, and that our students understand what makes America great and that they continue to love this country. Amen."

 

Several districts have confirmed that they received an email from Walters late Thursday night containing the video of Walters praying and instructions for Oklahoma school districts to have students view it and send it to parents.

News On 6 and News 9 have reached out to districts across the state with several saying they are electing not to show the video. Those schools are Bixby Public Schools, Caney Valley Public Schools, Edmonds Public Schools, Union Public Schools, Owasso Public Schools, Jenks Public Schools, Tulsa Public Schools, and Preston Public Schools.

"I think there's a fine line over what is our responsibility as a school and what is the family's responsibility. Everyone has the right to choose where they go to school and has a right to choose where they go to church, but for us to think that it's our job to impose our will on students' religious freedoms, it's not going to happen here," said Preston Public Schools Superintendent.

Kellyville Public Schools, Collinsville Public Schools, and Oologah Public Schools have not yet responded.

The Office of the Attorney General sent the following statement:

“There is no statutory authority for the state schools superintendent to require all students to watch a specific video. Not only is this edict unenforceable, it is contrary to parents’ rights, local control and individual free-exercise rights."

Mustang Public Schools addressed the directive in a letter to families saying,

"We have received questions about a recent directive from State Superintendent Ryan Walters asking school districts to share a video with families and students. Mustang Public Schools has no plans to interrupt the instructional day to show or send this video; there is no authority or requirement for us to do so. Mr. Walters, through his agencies, has the means to distribute this video should he choose.

Our focus remains on using the school day for local curriculum and activities, thoughtfully developed by our educators and approved by our local school board. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out directly."

Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership.

https://www.news9.com/story/6736b96a5d7b991a3b800802/ryan-walters-requires-oklahoma-students-to-watch-prayer-video-some-districts-opt-out

Full video:

 

 

 

[retrofade]

He's gotta be auditioning for Secretary of Education.

[bornontheblue]

On 11/18/2024 at 1:35 PM, retrofade said:

He's gotta be auditioning for Secretary of Education.

Why do you hate Jesus? 

[retrofade]

On 11/18/2024 at 12:36 PM, bornontheblue said:

Why do you hate Jesus? 

I don't hate Jesus, but I have serious issues with a lot of his followers and their continued desire to force their religious beliefs down everyone's collective throats. 

[Sactowndog]

On 11/18/2024 at 12:36 PM, bornontheblue said:

Why do you hate Jesus? 

Maybe you should ask that of John Adams.  Or maybe a question back why do you hate our Founders and the Constitution they drafted? See Article 11

  

 

[FresnoFacts]

His first purchase of 500 Bibles are on the way to Oklahoma. The state purchased 500 of the Trump endorsed "God Bless the USA" Bibles for $24,500, $49 each.

https://www.fox23.com/news/purchase-order-shows-500-bibles-bought-by-osde-are-ones-endorsed-by-president-elect-trump/article_4d7ff950-a3ae-11ef-95bf-dbf3e28cc04b.html

Walters says he wants them located in Advanced Placement US History classrooms. Maybe a high school teacher knows differently, but when looking at the AP US History test

[bornontheblue]

On 11/18/2024 at 1:52 PM, Sactowndog said:

Maybe you should ask that of John Adams.  Or maybe a question back why do you hate our Founders and the Constitution they drafted? See Article 11

  

 

It was an attempt at humor. 

You are a triggered little baby. 

I don't think Jesus loves you, and that guy frickin loves everybody 

 

[RSF]

On 11/18/2024 at 3:14 PM, bornontheblue said:

It was an attempt at humor. 

You are a triggered little baby. 

I don't think Jesus loves you, and that guy frickin loves everybody 

 

A pretty good attempt, too.

 

 

But then you hate freedom so it's hard to tell...

 

On 11/18/2024 at 2:35 PM, retrofade said:

He's gotta be auditioning for Secretary of Education.

Yeah...and when Elon closes it down he'll be unemployed.

[retrofade]

On 11/18/2024 at 1:19 PM, RSF said:

A pretty good attempt, too.

 

 

But then you hate freedom so it's hard to tell...

 

Yeah...and when Elon closes it down he'll be unemployed.

Well to be fair, that guy (and Trump) also wants to close down the Department of Education. 

[The Barber]

how do they know which version of the Bible to use?

Is the Trump Bible a specific translation?

[retrofade]

On 11/18/2024 at 1:46 PM, The Barber said:

how do they know which version of the Bible to use?

Is the Trump Bible a specific translation?

The requirements were laid out so that it had to be the Trump bible...

"Bibles must be the King James Version; must contain the Old and New Testaments; must include copies of the Pledge of Allegiance, Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights; and must be bound in leather or leather-like material."

Only one bible fits that criteria. 

[Rebel_Alliance]

I saw a video review of the Trump bibles.  They are so cheap and poorly made that they'll certainly disintegrate within a couple of months of actual classroom use.  Of course that's irrelevant.  This was all about funneling Oklahoma tax dollars into Dear Leader's pockets.  

[bornontheblue]

On 11/18/2024 at 2:44 PM, retrofade said:

Well to be fair, that guy (and Trump) also wants to close down the Department of Education. 

Busting up the dept of education and then taking 50 percent of their budget and reallocating it as direct grants to states would be fantastic. You would probably get much better outcomes. 

 

 

 

[retrofade]

On 11/18/2024 at 2:04 PM, bornontheblue said:

Busting up the dept of education and then taking 50 percent of their budget and reallocating it as direct grants to states would be fantastic. You would probably get much better outcomes. 

 

 

 

Yes, as evidenced by the fact that Oklahoma is spending money on Trump bibles.

[FresnoFacts]

On 11/18/2024 at 1:58 PM, retrofade said:

The requirements were laid out so that it had to be the Trump bible...

"Bibles must be the King James Version; must contain the Old and New Testaments; must include copies of the Pledge of Allegiance, Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights; and must be bound in leather or leather-like material."

Only one bible fits that criteria. 

After the initial outcry that only the "God Bless the USA" version seemed to match the requirements, Oklahoma revised them to say the four US historical documents could be supplied separately instead of bound in the same book. Theoretically that opened up the possibility of other King James Version publications that are much cheaper with the historical docs as a separate pamphlet or book. But then the state went for the more expensive Trump approved version anyway.

[bornontheblue]

On 11/18/2024 at 3:50 PM, retrofade said:

Yes, as evidenced by the fact that Oklahoma is spending money on Trump bibles.

Oklahomans can do what Oklahomans think is best for Oklahoma. 

 

[RSF]

On 11/18/2024 at 5:12 PM, bornontheblue said:

Oklahomans can do what Oklahomans think is best for Oklahoma. 

 

Which includes their Supreme Court ruling the local boards, not Walters, decides what books are used. 

[PackNation]

On 11/18/2024 at 1:46 PM, The Barber said:

 

Is the Trump Bible a specific translation?

Yes and you have to hold it upside down in order to read it.

[Wyobraska]

On 11/18/2024 at 4:12 PM, bornontheblue said:

Oklahomans can do what Oklahomans think is best for Oklahoma. 

 

Sure, but can we build a wall around OK after that is implemented?  They can't fall much further in educational rankings, but they'll give it their best.