Oklahoma Schools Drop Bible Instruction Mandate Under New Leadership

The Oklahoma State Department of Education has announced plans to rescind a controversial mandate that required public schools to include Bibles in classrooms and incorporate biblical teachings into their curricula. This decision follows the appointment of Lindel Fields as the new superintendent, who is committed to reevaluating the policies set by his predecessor, Ryan Walters.

Fields stated in a recent press release that the department will file a motion to dismiss ongoing lawsuits against Walters and his office regarding the mandate. The lawsuits emerged in response to the previous directive, which mandated that “immediate and strict compliance” was expected from schools. According to Fields, “We plan to file a motion to dismiss, and have no plans to distribute Bibles or a Biblical character education curriculum in classrooms.”

Walters, who resigned in March 2023, had positioned the inclusion of the Bible in the educational system as essential for teaching students about the nation’s history. In a video statement, he remarked that “The Bible is a necessary historical document to teach our kids about the country,” asserting that every classroom in Oklahoma would have a Bible and that teachers would use it as a resource.

The mandate quickly faced backlash from civil rights organizations and concerned citizens, leading to a lawsuit from a coalition of parents, educators, and religious leaders. This legal action is currently pending before the Oklahoma Supreme Court.

In light of the recent changes, Jacki Phelps, an attorney for the Oklahoma State Department of Education, indicated that the agency intends to notify the court about its decision to withdraw the mandate. She emphasized that the agency’s priority is to ensure that decisions regarding classroom content remain at the discretion of individual school districts. “The decision on whether the Bible should be incorporated into classroom instruction is one best left up to individual districts,” said Tara Thompson, a spokesperson for the department.

Many school districts in Oklahoma had already chosen to disregard Walters’ directive, reflecting a significant divide within the state regarding the role of religion in education. The move to rescind the mandate has been welcomed by attorneys representing the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, who expressed optimism about the new direction under Fields’ leadership. They released a statement saying, “The attempts to promote religion in the classroom and the abuses of power that the Oklahoma State Department of Education engaged in under Walters’ tenure should never happen in Oklahoma or anywhere in the United States again.”

Walters’ tenure was marked by a series of contentious policies aimed at integrating religious principles into public education. Following the rejection of a $3 million funding request to distribute Bibles, Walters had sought partnerships with public figures, including country music singer Lee Greenwood, to garner support for his initiatives.

Under Fields’ leadership, the department plans to review all mandates instituted by Walters, which include controversial policies such as requiring teachers from certain states to undergo ideological testing. “We need to review all of those mandates and provide clarity to schools moving forward,” Thompson stated.

The Oklahoma State Department of Education’s decision to distance itself from the previous administration’s policies marks a significant shift in the state’s approach to education and the influence of religious doctrine in public schools. With ongoing legal challenges and public scrutiny, the department faces a critical period of reexamination as it seeks to establish a more inclusive educational environment.