OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — You’ve got four more days to share your feedback on proposed new Social Studies standards for State Schools.
The Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) rolled out new social studies standards for Oklahoma schools in December.
“Underneath these standards our children will learn the full and true context of our nation’s founding and the principles that made America great and will continue to make us that exceptional country,” said State Superintendent Ryan Walters.
Hours before the final Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting of the year, the almost 200 pages of social studies revisions were opened for public comment on the state agency’s website.
“In these standards we have more content around the tribal history of Oklahoma, including all of our tribes. We also strengthen requirements of teaching the impact and significance of the Tulsa Greenwood District, Black Wall Street and the civil rights issues throughout Oklahoma history.”
The announcement on Thursday came from State Superintendent Ryan Walters’ office where he discussed the new standards showcasing Pro-American exceptionalism, President Trump’s education agenda, Tribal history, African American history, Black Wall Street and Tulsa’s Greenwood District, and utilization of the Bible.
The release of these revised standards come right after the release of the state’s report card for the 2023-24 academic year.
“These new standards fully and unabashedly answer the mandate that voters demanded upon electing President Trump: no more woke, radical indoctrination. No more racially divisive, hyper sexualized, watered down, weak curriculum that has left us with the worst public education outcomes in our history. Our children deserve more, they deserve better. And these standards deliver,” Walters said.
These new standards reference the Bible ten times as often as the current standards which were released in 2019.
“These standards, they champion the guidance that the Bible gave about American history. As we rolled out our Bible initiatives earlier in the year, this strengthens them by providing over 50 references to the Bible and Christianity. Our previous standards only had two references.”
State Representative Gabe Woolley (R-Broken Arrow), who is a former history teacher, said he approved of the additional Bible references in the new guidelines.
“Given that the Bible is such a pillar aspect of our foundation and a pillar aspect of history, it completely makes sense that it was increased. When you look at how often there was biblical references from our founding fathers, it makes more sense to say let’s actually take a look at what they’re referencing so much in history, more than just twice. When you look at it as a historical document in the context of history, that totally makes sense.”
State Representative Jacob Rosencrants (D-Norman), who is also a former history teacher, said he isn’t completely onboard with the use of the Bible potentially becoming a requirement.
“Again, not as egregious as I think it could have been. What I was worried about with these standards and what I was told was going to happen, is instances where the Bible would have to be used to complete the standard. That’s the concern. That definitely needs public push back.”
These standards aren’t yet official and will require approval from both the state house and senate and then would need the governor’s signature this coming spring.
The standards were created by a committee of teachers selected by the Board of Education and will be open for comment through January 21st for any Oklahoman wishing to comment on the social studies standards.
Those comments will be reviewed by the OSDE before sending to the state legislature.
For more information about public comments on the new standards, click here.