Oklahoma’s top education official, Ryan Walters, is standing firmly behind President Donald Trump’s bold plan to significantly reduce the size of the federal Department of Education. Earlier this month, the Trump administration announced a sweeping reduction in workforce, cutting the department’s staff by over 50%. This move is part of a larger initiative aimed at shifting control of education back to state and local governments.
President Trump has been vocal about his desire to dismantle the federal education department, emphasizing the need to return authority to states. While critics, particularly from the Democratic side, have expressed concern over these changes, Walters sees this as a much-needed step to restore integrity to the nation’s education system. “This is a historic moment,” Walters declared, praising Trump as a leader who will be remembered for saving education and the country’s future.
Walters argues that the Department of Education has been heavily influenced by left-leaning groups, especially powerful teachers’ unions. He claims these unions have pushed ideological agendas, like diversity and inclusion initiatives, which he believes have undermined academic achievement. “The disruption of education was the federalization and unionization of education,” Walters stated, adding that these moves have shifted focus away from community and individual values.
Training requirements imposed on teachers by federal authorities have also come under fire from Walters. He criticized these mandates for prioritizing social ideology over practical classroom instruction. Walters noted, “These were not helping [teachers] drive student achievement in their classroom. It was to push a left-wing agenda on kids.”
Since taking office in January 2023, Walters has been vocal about his opposition to the Biden-Harris administration’s use of federal funding to promote gender ideology and DEI programs. He questioned the relevance of such topics in academic settings, expressing concerns about their impact on traditional education. Walters remarked, “Why are we talking about transgenderism in an Algebra One class? There’s no connection.”
Walters links the decline in students’ test scores to the federal government’s influence over education policy. He argues that the department’s creation coincided with worsening indicators of student well-being. “All the test scores have shown that they’ve all gotten worse since this disruption occurred,” he said, blaming the rise of teachers’ unions and federal oversight.
The superintendent believes that scaling back the Department of Education will lead to significant savings. He cited reductions he made in Oklahoma’s education department, where cutting 150 administrative roles reportedly saved millions. Walters asserts, “You’re going to see that, times a thousand with the federal Department of Education.”
Tiffany Justice, co-founder of the parents’ rights group Moms for Liberty, supports the plan, assuring parents that these cuts will empower them rather than harm children’s education. “Abolishing the Department of Education or dismantling it…means more power to the parents,” Justice told Fox News Digital. She emphasized that the real concern for unions is losing control over educational agendas.
Justice argued that the federal department has failed to enhance student learning outcomes, contributing instead to a decline in achievement. She noted, “Since the creation of the Department of Education, student achievement has only declined.” Justice sees this as a major national security threat, stressing the importance of kids learning to read.
She dismissed concerns raised by media and teachers’ unions, attributing their criticisms to misinformation. “If you’re watching mainstream media or the fake news, as President Trump likes to say, you’re hearing those union fearmongering talking points,” she said. Justice encouraged states to view this as an opportunity to showcase their vision for education.
Despite support from conservative leaders, the move faces legal challenges. Nearly two dozen Democrat attorneys general have filed lawsuits against the Trump administration, aiming to block the cuts. Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association, condemned the restructuring effort as “outrageous.”
Pringle argued that the move neglects students, parents, and communities, threatening the future of the country. “It is outrageous that the Trump administration is set on gutting the Department of Education,” she said in a statement to Fox News. As legal battles unfold, the Trump administration stands firm in its plans to significantly downsize the Department of Education.
This marks a considerable shift in federal education policy, signaling a move toward increased state control. The administration believes that this approach will better serve the educational needs of American students. The coming months will be critical in determining the outcome of this controversial restructuring.
The debate over the Department of Education’s future is likely to continue as both sides present their arguments. On one hand, there’s a push for more local control and reduced federal influence. On the other, concerns about the potential negative impacts on students and teachers persist.
With tensions high, the situation remains fluid and subject to legal interpretation. The Trump administration’s stance reflects a broader trend of decentralizing federal authority. This move, if successful, could have lasting impacts on the structure and function of education in the United States.
