OKLA. — The Oklahoma Supreme Court has blocked new K-12 social studies standards that were set to be implemented by Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters and the Oklahoma State Board of Education.
The court’s decision prevents the enforcement of standards that plaintiffs argued would unconstitutionally promote Christianity in public schools.
The ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed in July by 33 Oklahoma parents, children, public school teachers, and faith leaders.
The court’s decision prohibits the state from implementing the new standards and from using state funds for them, mandating that the previous standards from 2019 remain in effect.
Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, said, “Today’s ruling will help ensure that Oklahoma families – not politicians – get to decide how and when their children engage with religion.”
Brent Rowland, legal director of Oklahoma Appleseed, added, “This is a victory for transparency, fairness, and the constitutional rights of all Oklahomans.”
The court’s ruling highlighted concerns that the new standards contained numerous references to Christianity and the Bible, presented Bible stories as historical facts, and included inaccurate teachings about the founding of America and the 2020 election.
The lawsuit also claimed that the standards violated the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act and other procedural requirements.
