A MAGA Troll Almost Ran a Whole State’s Public School System Into the Ground. They Might Just Elect Another One.

Laura Pappano· May 26, 2026 · 9:45 AM UTC ·10 min read · 0 reactions · 0 comments · 33 views

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Oklahoma's public education system faced significant turmoil under former superintendent Ryan Walters, whose controversial policies drew national attention. Lindel Fields, the new superintendent, aims to stabilize the system and improve literacy scores without running for election. The upcoming election is seen as crucial for the future of education in Oklahoma, as the state grapples with the impact of political ideologies on learning.

Key facts

▪Ryan Walters, the former state superintendent, left after implementing divisive policies that caused chaos in Oklahoma's public schools.
▪Lindel Fields, appointed by Governor Kevin Stitt, is focused on building a stable foundation for education and improving literacy scores.
▪The upcoming election for state superintendent is considered critical for the future direction of Oklahoma's education system.

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Canonical URL	https://slate.com/life/2026/05/oklahoma-public-school-primary-election-ryan-walters.html?via=rss
Publication time	Tue, 26 May 2026 09:45:00 GMT
Retrieval time	2026-05-26T09:47:47.733Z
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School A MAGA Troll Almost Ran a Whole State’s Public School System Into the Ground. It’s Time to Find His Replacement. Oklahoma superintendent of schools Ryan Walters sowed chaos for more than two years. The state has recently had a reprieve. What happens now? By Laura Pappano May 26, 20265:45 AM Anthony Crawford teaches a lesson on Othello at Millwood High School in Oklahoma City in April. Nick Oxford for The Hechinger Report Copy Link Share Share Comment Copy Link Share Share Comment This story about Oklahoma schools was produced by the Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education. Sign up for the Hechinger newsletter.

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