Oklahoma State Superintendent announces rules banning DEI and drag queen teachers, supporting religion

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — The Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) plans to file three new controversial rules. These rules relate to religion, "drag queens" and programs about diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

"DEI should rightly be called discrimination, exclusion and indoctrination," State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters said.

On Thursday afternoon, Walters announced his plans for three new OSDE rules.

Rule number one: banning DEI from K-12 public schools.

"What we will be doing with this rule is to ensure that we don’t have anything related to diversity, equity and inclusion positions. So that would be the roles themselves. This would be the curriculum. This would be the programs."

He admits what inspired this move is Governor Stitt taking DEI out of Oklahoma colleges.

"We need to make sure that our schools are focused on getting back to the basics. Not focused on resources and programs that divide us."

Walters' next priority is ensuring prayer and bible verses are protected in public schools.

"We are going to continue to pass rules and make sure that we are doing all we can to stand for individuals’ religious freedom here in the state of Oklahoma."

He says atheists have given rural schools a hard time for expressing their religious values.

"So we have stood with those schools, and said we will stand with you for any kind of legal help that you need in fighting back against these left-wing groups."

Finally, Walters wants to update the teacher code of conduct.

"I’ve heard from parents all over the state who are very concerned with the left pushing sexuality on our kids, and pushing transgender ideology."

This is targeted at educators who he calls "drag queens."

"Students should not be exposed to sexually inappropriate material. We will lead as a state to ensure every child and every parent in our state knows we are doing all we can to ensure that will not happen in our schools."

Walters says he plans to file these rules on Friday, December 22.