Red state leader defends decision to include 2020 election ‘discrepancies’ in high school curriculum

Facing criticism from the media and even from Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, the head of Oklahoma’s education system is standing firm in defense of a controversial high school history curriculum that delves into irregularities and “discrepancies” in the 2020 election.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters, a Republican, recently spoke out in an interview with Fox News Digital, asserting that the state is undergoing a significant transformation in education, largely due to President Donald Trump’s dismantling of the federal Department of Education. Walters emphasized that these changes are driven by the demands of Oklahoma parents and grandparents who are advocating for a return to fundamental education principles and the removal of any left-wing or media-driven narratives from school curricula.

“We want our educational standards to be based on facts, not influenced by a left-wing agenda,” Walters stated. “Parents and grandparents in Oklahoma are calling for this, and we need to listen to them.”

One of the most contentious changes in Oklahoma’s education reforms is the adoption of new Academic Standards for Social Studies, which task high school teachers with guiding students to identify discrepancies in the 2020 election results. The curriculum encourages students to analyze graphs and information related to ballot-counting halts in key battleground states, mail-in voting security risks, sudden batch dumps, record voter turnout, and anomalies in bellwether county trends.

The move has faced criticism from various quarters, with state Rep. John Waldron accusing Walters of promoting his own indoctrination rather than eliminating it. Even Governor Kevin Stitt’s representative expressed concerns about the curriculum being a distraction from core educational priorities.

However, Walters remains resolute, asserting that the curriculum fosters critical thinking among students and encourages them to examine data and numbers related to the 2020 election.

“The left doesn’t want kids to scrutinize the numbers and ask questions about the election. We’ve never seen an election like 2020 before, and our students need to delve into it,” Walters explained. “By studying history and examining data, students become better informed and independent thinkers.”

While the curriculum has been approved by the state Board of Education, it still requires legislative or gubernatorial approval. Walters expressed optimism about the legislature’s support but criticized Gov. Stitt, accusing him of being a “never Trumper” and out of touch with Oklahomans.

In response, Stitt’s representative refuted the claims, emphasizing the governor’s focus on improving literacy rates in the state. The representative dismissed Walters’ accusations and highlighted Stitt’s support for state control over education, citing his praise for Trump’s actions against the federal Department of Education.

As the debate over the curriculum continues, it remains to be seen how the Oklahoma education system will navigate the intersection of politics and education. The controversy underscores the challenges of balancing academic standards with political sensitivities in shaping the next generation of learners.