Oklahoma state superintendent mandates Bibles in classrooms

Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters announced a mandate requiring Bibles in classrooms during the May 2024 State Board of Education meeting. He stated that every teacher and classroom in the state would have a Bible and teach from it. However, further guidance clarified that the mandate applies to social studies and English language arts for grades 5 through 12, incorporating the Bible as an instructional support.

The Oklahoma Attorney General’s office indicated that the mandate does not require the Bible to be taught but incorporated, aligning with existing state law. Walters emphasized that Bibles would be used in subjects where applicable standards exist, such as analyzing religion’s role in history and literature.

The mandate has faced criticism from Democratic lawmakers and educators, who argue it distracts from other issues and raises concerns about the separation of church and state. They advise schools to follow existing laws on religious instruction. Walters’ directive includes plans for further instructions and monitoring, with adherence deemed compulsory.

Critics, including Rep. Melissa Provenzano and Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, view the move as a diversion from recent controversies, such as the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s decision against a virtual charter school Walters supported. Despite the controversy, Walters indicated that more guidance on the mandate’s implementation is forthcoming.

Source: NPR