Oklahoma drops plan to force schools to teach Bible lessons in social studies classes - LGBTQ Nation

"Oklahoma's new head of education, Lindel Fields, is dropping an unconstitutional requirement for schools to teach Bible-based social studies lessons. The requirement - issued by the state's former head of education, Ryan Walters - resulted in lawsuits, alleging that it violated state policy-making rules and First Amendment protections against the establishment of a religion by the government. Last month, the state Supreme Court ruled that Walters couldn't force schools to accept his requirement."

"In June 2024, Walters and the Oklahoma State Board of Education (OSBE) issued a guidance saying that K-12 school lessons should focus on the Bible's influence on history, literature, music, and other arts and culture. Walters' guidance mandated that every classroom contain a physical copy of the Bible, as well as copies of the Ten Commandments, the U.S. Constitution, and the Declaration of Independence."

Lindel Fields, Oklahoma's new top education official, is dropping a previously issued requirement that K-12 lessons include Bible-based social studies content. The mandate, issued in June 2024 by former superintendent Ryan Walters and the Oklahoma State Board of Education, directed classrooms to teach the Bible's influence on history, literature, music and culture and required a physical Bible plus copies of the Ten Commandments, the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence in every classroom. About 33 parents, students, teachers and faith leaders sued, alleging violations of state rule-making procedures and the First Amendment, and the state Supreme Court barred implementation and state spending on the standards.

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