Oklahoma State School Superintendent Ryan Walters announced on Fox News Channel that his school district would allow students to display the American flag without punishment to promote patriotism. This policy was enacted after an Oklahoma high school student was forced to remove the flag from his truck by school staff, citing safety rules. Walters emphasized that students should be encouraged to love their country and understand its founding principles.
Edmond Public Schools stated that their policy banning flags was primarily for safety reasons and to prevent distractions, not anti-Americanism. They clarified that they display the American flag prominently, recite the Pledge of Allegiance daily, and play the national anthem at athletic events. Despite this, students were not permitted to bring flags on campus. The school’s decision caused controversy and led to the creation of new state school guidelines to prevent such incidents.
The student, Caleb Horst, expressed surprise at the school’s actions and highlighted the importance of free speech in displaying the American flag. Walters condemned the decision, stating that no school in Oklahoma should infringe upon students’ rights to wave the American flag. He mentioned that Americans have died for the flag, and his department was working on guidelines to protect students’ ability to display the flag and promote patriotism in schools.
Walters detailed some of the guidelines enacted by his department, including requiring schools to develop clear policies allowing flags to be flown, mandating the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance weekly, and ensuring compliance through reports. He expressed a desire for Oklahoma schools to take a stand against anti-Americanism and leftist indoctrination, emphasizing the importance of patriotism and understanding American history.
In a video posted by Walters, he asserted that his administration would ensure that students are never targeted for displaying the American flag and pledged to promote patriotism in schools. He mentioned plans to enhance social studies standards to include a better understanding of the American founding. Walters also mentioned a memo issued in June that directed state schools to incorporate the Bible and Ten Commandments into their curricula for historical context, aligning with approved educational standards.
Overall, the controversy surrounding the American flag ban at Edmond North High School led to a statewide discussion on promoting patriotism and understanding American history. Superintendent Walters emphasized the importance of protecting students’ rights to display the American flag, combating anti-American sentiment. The new guidelines put in place by the Oklahoma State School Department aim to prevent similar incidents and instill a sense of patriotism in students across the state.
