Governor Kevin Stitt appointed Lindel Fields, an experienced Oklahoma educator and CEO of Your Culture Coach, as the new State Superintendent following Ryan Walters' resignation, to continue leadership in Oklahoma's education sector.
State Superintendent Ryan Walters faced backlash for his comments on teaching about the Tulsa Race Massacre while avoiding conflicts with a state law banning critical race theory. Walters rejected the idea that race defines a person and stated that skin color should not determine judgment. Protestors gathered at a Republican event to express their disagreement with his remarks.
Tennessee Education Chief Penny Schwinn, known for expanding tutoring and revamping literacy during the pandemic, will step down on June 1. Schwinn faced criticism from both Democrats and Republicans for issues ranging from the teaching of American history to her support for charter schools. Governor Bill Lee will appoint Lizzette Gonzalez Reynolds, a school choice advocate, as her successor. Reynolds plans to continue Schwinn's work, including implementing the state's targeted ESA program and overseeing academic recovery efforts. Tennessee will be the 17th state to have a new permanent or acting chief since January 2022.