Superintendent Ryan Walters of Oklahoma announced on Fox News that schools in the state will adopt policies encouraging students to display the American flag.
This decision follows an incident where a student was told to remove the flag from his truck. Walters stated, “We want patriots. We want our students flying the American flag.”
School Policies Shift Toward Promoting Patriotism
Superintendent Walters, speaking on “Fox & Friends Weekend,” emphasized that the new guidelines would foster patriotism and not penalize students for showing their national pride.
He commented, “We’re not going to tolerate this anti-Americanism,” signaling a clear shift toward more patriotic expressions within the educational framework.
Edmond Public Schools Clarify Flag Policy
Edmond Public Schools explained their longstanding policy against flags on campus is for safety and to avoid distractions, not out of a lack of patriotism.
Their official statement noted, “This practice has been in place for several years and is explained to our students at the start of the school year.”
Schools’ Patriotic Practices Underlined
Despite the controversy, officials from Edmond Public Schools were quick to highlight their routine patriotic activities.
“Not only do we recite the Pledge of Allegiance every morning… but we also present the colors and play the national anthem at most of our athletic events,” they said, illustrating their commitment to respectful flag displays.
Student Expresses Concern Over Free Speech
Caleb Horst, the student told to remove his flag, expressed his belief that his rights were being infringed upon.
“I’ve never really had problems with it before, and it’s our First Amendment, so it’s kind of hard for them to infringe upon our rights,” he said.
Superintendent’s Commitment to Change
Superintendent Walters vowed to revise state school rules to ensure such incidents do not recur.
He strongly stated, “No school in Oklahoma should tell students they can’t wave an American flag. We’ve had Americans die for that flag, die for students to have the right to carry the flag, to wave the flag, to be proud of that American flag.”
New Mandates for Flag Display and Patriotism
Under Walters’ new policies, schools must develop clear guidelines that allow for flag displays and require students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance at least once a week.
These measures aim to ensure uniformity in how patriotism is fostered across Oklahoma schools.
Schools to Report on Patriotic Compliance
Oklahoma schools are now required to file reports demonstrating their adherence to the new patriotic guidelines.
This initiative is part of a broader effort by Superintendent Walters to monitor and enforce the promotion of patriotism within the state’s educational institutions.
Walters Criticizes Perceived Anti-American Influences
In his interview, Walters criticized what he perceives as anti-American sentiments from various national groups and administrations.
He said, “We’re not tolerating it in our schools. We want patriots. We want our students flying the American flag,” reflecting his strong advocacy for national pride.
Educational Curriculum to Emphasize American Founding
Superintendent Walters also mentioned plans to revamp social studies standards to enhance students’ understanding of America’s founding principles.
He highlighted the need for more patriotism in the curriculum to counter what he views as negative influences on students’ perceptions of their country.
Guaranteeing the Right to Display the Flag
Walters assured the public that actions are being taken to ensure no student is penalized for displaying the American flag.
He reiterated his commitment, saying, “Every school in the state will protect the students’ right to fly that flag. We will fly that flag, and we will promote patriotism in Oklahoma schools.”
Incorporating Historical Documents in School Curricula
The superintendent revealed that as of June, state schools have been directed to incorporate the Bible and Ten Commandments into their curricula for historical context.
Walters explained that this directive aligns with educational standards approved in May 2019, aiming to enrich students’ understanding of foundational documents.
