Under the new leadership of Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters, Oklahoma is fundamentally restructuring the state’s educational model. He’s doing this by inserting dozens of references to the Bible and the Christian faith into the social studies academic standards. Walters’ latest initiative, which will take effect in June 2024, requires the teaching of the Bible in public schools. As expected, this announcement has sent proponents and critics to their respective corners.
The push to add these biblical teachings to Oklahoma’s curriculum has received a great deal of publicity. Walters argues that many residents believe it is essential for students to understand how Christian values have shaped the nation’s history. He has stated, “Once we started to say, ‘We want to make sure that our kids understand the role the Bible played in American history,’ once we started to get this out…we have continued to see the generosity of individuals say, ‘Hey, if they’re not going to fund it, we’ll pony up.’” This sentiment captures the vanguard of a larger effort underway in some communities pushing for religious instruction in public schools.
Funding and Controversy
In a politically courageous financial gamble, Walters focused on drawing $3 million out of the 2025 fiscal year’s budget. He was going to use this money to buy Bibles translated by former President Donald Trump’s approved scholars. The usually pliant, lapdog Legislature controlled by Gov. As of now, they have no intention of approving that funding. Even with this ruling against them, Walters’ agency has already bought 532 Trump Bibles for under $25,000.
Walters remains undeterred by legislative obstacles. He’s already promised that Bibles will be in every classroom by fall 2024. He attributes his successful partnership with country music artist Lee Greenwood for bringing forth the idea that inspired nationwide public donations of Bibles to fill Oklahoma classrooms. “This is what’s amazing about our state and our country,” Walters expressed during a recent interview, underscoring his commitment to his initiative.
The push for biblical education in schools hasn’t come without controversy. Critics had warned that Walters’ approach for implementing these sweeping changes would be problematic. The coalition of Oklahoma taxpayers that have filed this lawsuit, with former state Attorney General Mike Hunter representing them, advanced. They allege Walters illegally added these new standards at the last minute without advancing them through the public process or informing the three new board members. These members have, on the record, expressed that they were misled by Walters’ maneuver.
Legislative Challenges and Legal Action
During a board meeting in February, Walters urged members to vote on the new standards under the pretext of meeting legislative deadlines. What board members didn’t realize at the time was that they had two more months to turn the standards in for approval. This alarming practice has raised important legal and ethical questions about the man behind those efforts.
Because of these controversial moves, a showdown hearing is scheduled for May 22. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit are seeking a temporary restraining order and the court will soon hear their request. If granted, this temporary order would stop the implementation of Walters’ newly proposed standards until there is substantive judicial review.
Though these blows have been discouraging, Walters is still committed to the idea that Oklahoma students need a biblical education option. As president, “I will work ceaselessly to make sure that every child knows that the story of America is incomplete without the teachings of the Bible and its inescapable principles,” he declared.
Mixed Reactions from School Districts
Walters’ efforts have flushed out excitement from those pushing for biblical education and indoctrination. Most of Oklahoma’s biggest school districts have mostly ignored his order as they prepare for the 2024-25 school year. This lack of engagement begs the question of whether his vision and policies can be implemented or accepted across the state’s varied and diverse educational landscape.
Walters’ agency then moved to assuage worries that inadequate resources and support would be available to implement the new standards. First, they industriously created various methods of funding the printing of additional copies of the Bible. The disappointing level of funding and clear absence of legislative ambition present an important series of hurdles on what lies ahead.
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