"OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma's new public schools superintendent announced Wednesday he is rescinding a mandate from his predecessor that forced schools to place Bibles in classrooms and incorporate the book into lesson plans for students. NOTE: The video is from a previous report. Superintendent Lindel Fields said in a statement he has "no plans to distribute Bibles or a Biblical character education curriculum in classrooms.""
"The directive last year from former Superintendent Ryan Walters drew immediate condemnation from civil rights groups and prompted a lawsuit from a group of parents, teachers and religious leaders that is pending before the Oklahoma Supreme Court. It was to have applied to students in grades 5 through 12. FILE - Copies of the Bible are displayed Aug. 12, 2024, at the Bixby High School library in Bixby, Okla. AP Photo/Joey Johnson, File"
Lindel Fields, appointed superintendent after Ryan Walters resigned, rescinded a previous mandate that required schools to place Bibles in classrooms and incorporate the book into lesson plans for grades 5–12. Fields stated he has no plans to distribute Bibles or implement a biblical character education curriculum in classrooms. The earlier directive produced condemnation from civil rights groups and a lawsuit by parents, teachers and religious leaders that remains pending before the Oklahoma Supreme Court. Many districts had already declined to comply. The state education attorney said the agency will notify the court of the rescission and seek dismissal; plaintiffs' attorneys reported encouragement and will consult with clients.
Read at ABC7 Los Angeles
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