Principled views on education were once a cornerstone of Republican politics, both nationally and here in Oklahoma. For most of my adult life, traditional (pre-MAGA) Republicans offered an intellectually consistent and constructive approach—emphasizing local control, school choice, high academic standards, respect for institutions and expertise and teaching civics and history in ways that promoted patriotism without censorship.
But since 2020, that legacy has shifted. Republican leaders have moved from being right on education to being disruptive—placing ideology over learning.
No one embodies this shift more than Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters, whose cultural warfare and inflammatory rhetoric have done little more than sow division and distrust.
The results speak for themselves: by mid-2025, Oklahoma ranks at or near the bottom in national education—49th or 50th, depending on the metric.
It’s worth noting that the last time Oklahoma had a strong national ranking (No. 17) was under Democratic Governor Brad Henry. Since then, years of right-wing extremism have gutted the credibility and functionality of our schools.
Traditional Republicans used to support high academic standards and accountability. They focused on measurable results, and even though some testing methods are flawed, they were right on insisting schools be accountable for academic achievement.
Republicans also used to have respect for expertise and institutions, and they collaborated for any reform with think tanks, educational leaders, civic and business leaders. It used to be extremely important to Republicans that our education system be more closely matched with the business needs of our communities and state. They supported evidence-based reform and fostered bipartisan cooperation worthy of serious, data-driven solutions.
Traditional Republicans once trusted local communities to run their schools. They championed parental involvement, high standards and educational freedom—without micromanaging teachers or banning books.
They believed in school choice but worked to ensure that those options actually helped struggling families—not just those with means. Today’s Oklahoma Legislature has shaped school choice policies that aren’t actually bringing school choice options to parents and children who actually need them.
Today’s MAGA Republicans have politicized school boards, demonized educators and enforced rigid narratives that stifle critical thinking. Their obsession with culture war distractions has derailed efforts to improve literacy, close opportunity and access gaps and prepare students for the future.
To turn this around, Oklahoma must depoliticize education, invest in teachers and early learning and return to a student-first, evidence-based approach.
Oklahoma has resilience to change course, if GOP voters realize their leaders are on the wrong track when it comes to actually improving educational outcomes that actually mean something.
With sustained investment, respectful and qualified leadership and a student-first mindset, the state can rebuild a public education system that prepares all children for the future.
The question isn’t whether we can afford to act—but whether we can afford not to.
Cindy Allen 