Oklahoma’s state school superintendent Ryan Walters has announced a significant shift in the state’s educational policies, proposing that every public high school in Oklahoma establish a chapter of Turning Point USA, a conservative youth organization co-founded by the late Charlie Kirk. In a recent statement, Walters emphasized the need to counter what he describes as the ‘radical leftists’ dominating classrooms and ‘woke indoctrination.’ The initiative is not only about increasing the presence of TPUSA within schools but also serves as a tribute to Kirk, whose assassination at a Utah campus event earlier this month has galvanized the group and spurred an influx of new chapter requests.
Walters, who has been a vocal advocate for conservative education policies, stated in a video on his X account that the move reflects the demand from parents, teachers, and students for greater civic engagement and dialogue. He argued that the current educational environment has been increasingly influenced by progressive ideologies that conflict with American values. His comments have drawn sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers, including Oklahoma state representative Mickey Dollens, who accused Walters of using the initiative to further his political goals. Dollens pointed out that Walters holds no administrative authority to enforce such a policy and that the presence of political organizations in schools may be legally questionable.
Other critics, including John Croisant, a board member of Tulsa Public Schools, have noted that while TPUSA is a private entity, its expansion into public schools raises concerns about the role of political advocacy in education. Croisant stressed that public schools operate under specific accreditation standards and that pushing political ideologies into the classroom could be a misstep in maintaining educational neutrality. The debate has also drawn national attention, with former Democratic National Committee spokesperson Xochitl Hinojosa criticizing Walters for what she called an attempt to impose ideology on children. In response, Walters labeled Hinojosa and her associates as proponents of a ‘Marxist ideology’ that has influenced the educational system over the past decade, framing the initiative as a countermeasure to such influence.
Meanwhile, the organization itself has seen its influence grow rapidly, with over 54,000 new chapter requests reported after Kirk’s assassination. Turning Point USA has already established nearly 1,200 high school chapters and operates around 900 college chapters. The rapid expansion of TPUSA reflects broader shifts in American political discourse, with conservative groups increasingly seeking to shape the ideological landscape of education and public discourse.