A new office within the Oklahoma State Department of Education will promote expressions of religion and patriotism in public schools. The head of the agency, state Superintendent Ryan Walters, announced Tuesday he established the Office of Religious Liberty and Patriotism.

All investigations of abuses of individual religious freedom or displays of patriotism will be overseen by the new office. The office also intends to support teachers and students when their constitutional rights are reported to have been violated by well-funded groups from outside of Oklahoma.