Oklahoma Board Initiates Review of Controversial Social Studies Standards

The Oklahoma State Board of Education has voted to review social studies academic standards that have drawn significant controversy since their approval during the tenure of former state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters. The review, initiated on October 23, 2023, could lead to changes in standards that have attracted national scrutiny for their inclusion of content related to Christianity and election-denial language.

During a recent meeting, the board discussed two legal challenges currently pending before the Oklahoma Supreme Court regarding these standards. Following a closed-door session, board member Brian Bobek proposed a motion for a 60-day review of the standards, which was unanimously approved. New Superintendent Lindel Fields emphasized the importance of this review, stating that it would enable the board to make informed decisions and provide guidance to schools promptly.

The Supreme Court had previously issued a ruling on September 15, 2023, pausing the implementation of the new standards and requiring schools to revert to the former standards, developed in 2019, until the ongoing legal issues are resolved. Fields expressed confidence in the board’s legal approach and indicated that public comments would be solicited during the review process. He anticipates that modifications to the standards are likely.

The controversy surrounding the standards began with the process of their approval. A draft version was made available for public feedback in December, but the final version was not shared with board members until the day before a critical meeting. During this meeting, newly appointed members expressed the need for additional time to review the lengthy document. Despite requests for postponement, the standards were approved based on misleading information regarding legislative deadlines provided by Walters.

Some board members later realized they had been misled when comparing the final standards with the draft available online. This prompted calls for the Oklahoma Legislature to reconsider the standards, but attempts to reject them through resolutions faced opposition from Walters and the far-right political group Moms For Liberty. Their lobbying efforts resulted in legislative inaction, allowing the standards to take effect for the current school year, although the court ruling has since placed them on hold.

In addition to the social studies standards, the board also discussed another case before the Supreme Court concerning a Bible-teaching mandate issued by Walters. Fields has stated he has no intention of enforcing this directive. The board has retained legal counsel, Ryan Leonard, to navigate the various lawsuits that remain from Walters’ administration, with Fields acknowledging the complexity of the legal landscape.

Fields emphasized a cautious approach in addressing these legal matters, stating, “These aren’t as simple as just saying, ‘We’re going to stop or redo’. There’s legal, and there’s rules in some cases and (the) Legislature.” He reassured that the review process would be thorough, allowing for careful consideration of each case before proceeding.