Oklahoma superintendent vows Turning Point USA chapters in every high school
Walters frames plan as civic engagement, but critics warn of potential political indoctrination in public schools.
Oklahoma state schools superintendent Ryan Walters pledged Tuesday to establish a Turning Point USA chapter in every Oklahoma high school, tying the plan to the group’s co-founder Charlie Kirk. "I’m excited to announce today that every Oklahoma high school will have a Turning Point USA chapter," Walters said in a video posted to his X account. "We have seen the outpouring from parents, teachers and students that want to be engaged with the meaningful work going on at Turning Point. They want their young people to be engaged in a process that understands free speech, open engagement, dialogue about American greatness, a dialogue around American values." He added, "For far too long, we have seen radical leftists with the teachers unions dominate classrooms and push woke indoctrination on our kids. They fight parents’ rights. They push parents out of the classroom, and they lie to our kids about American history. What we’re going to continue to do is make sure our kids understand American greatness, engage in civic dialogue and have that open discussion. We will continue to do all that we can to make sure Oklahoma students have the best education possible."
Walters’ announcement drew sharp reactions from Democrats and educators. Oklahoma Democratic state Rep. Mickey Dollens wrote on X that the move is "another pathetic attempt by Walters to win over Republicans while tanking in the polls. Walters has zero power to enforce it and won’t investigate a thing." Tulsa Public Schools board member John Croisant, a 2026 Democratic congressional candidate, told KGOU that Tulsa Public Schools would not participate in "pushing political organizations within our schools," noting that the move would not affect accreditation. He added, "And he can't make us. Because that's not a part of accreditation." Former DNC spokesperson Xochitl Hinojosa also criticized the plan on CNN, saying, "I do not think that we should be forcing ideology on our children, especially in public schools. After the shooting of Gabby Giffords, we were not forcing ideology in Arizona about guns. After the Minnesota state legislator was killed and her husband was killed in their home by an anti-abortion activist, we weren’t going into Minnesota schools trying to promote abortion in those schools."
Walters responded to Hinojosa’s comments on "The Story with Martha MacCallum" Wednesday, calling the criticism "laughable." He pushed back against what he described as a chorus of opposition, saying, "These are the people that forced ‘Drag Queen Story Hour’ on your kids. They force critical race theory on your kids. They force the most radical woke agenda in the country on your kids. The teachers unions and the Democratic Party did that." He added that when students and teachers express interest in forming Turning Point chapters, it signals a desire for more civic dialogue and a broader understanding of American values. Walters said the plan is a response to requests from parents and students and that he is working with Turning Point USA on the measure.
The broader momentum behind the move includes a surge of interest in TPUSA chapters nationwide after Charlie Kirk’s assassination at a Utah campus event two weeks earlier, which Fox News Digital noted has spurred tens of thousands of requests to form new campus groups. The outlet reported that Turning Point USA currently operates about 900 official college chapters and roughly 1,200 high school chapters. Supporters say the chapters offer students a way to engage in free speech and civics outside the classroom context, while critics warn of entrenching partisan agendas in public schools.
Walters said the Oklahoma plan aligns with reported demand from families and educators alike and stressed collaboration with TPUSA to implement the program. "We are excited and want to take the country back, and we want kids to think freely. We want them to understand American values," he said. The timing of the announcement, he argued, reflected what he described as a growing interest in student-led civic groups rather than a top-down political push.
The debate over school involvement with political organizations comes as Oklahoma educators, parents and students increasingly raise questions about how civics are taught and how outside groups interact with schools. Critics warn that inviting political organizations into classrooms could blur lines between education and advocacy, while supporters argue that structured, student-led dialogue about history, governance and public policy can strengthen civic literacy.
The Associated Press and other outlets consulted by Fox News Digital noted that school boards and districts vary widely in how they regulate student clubs and outside groups, with accreditation standards not always conferring authority to enforce participation in such organizations. In Oklahoma, where Walters’ office oversees public K-12 education policy, the plan would require district-level buy-in and may hinge on local interpretation of allowed activities and sponsorship.
As the conversation continues, observers say the episode illuminates broader fights over civics instruction, the role of political advocacy in schools and the visibility of youth voice in public policy. Proponents say the effort could empower students to engage in meaningful civic dialogue, while opponents urge careful safeguards to keep classrooms nonpartisan and focused on learning. The debate is likely to unfold as Oklahoma districts respond to Walters’ pledge and determine how to balance student-led initiatives with district policies and state guidelines.
