US EditionChanges Could Be Headed to Walters' Controversial Social Studies Standards
The review follows legal challenges over election-denial and religious content in the standards, which were paused by the Oklahoma Supreme Court in September.
- On Thursday, Oct. 23, after a closed-door session on two lawsuits, Brian Bobek, board member, moved that the Oklahoma State Board of Education review the 2025 social studies standards for a two-month review period, and the motion passed unanimously.
- The 2025 social studies standards require students to learn about Christianity's influence and include 2020 election-denial language, with a draft released in December and the final version held until February.
- Board records show the final version of the standards arrived about 4 p.m. before the 9:30 a.m. meeting, prompting three new members—Chris Van Denhende, Ryan Deatherage, Michael Tinney—to request more time, while Ryan Walters made last-minute changes and incorrectly said approval was urgent.
- The Oklahoma Supreme Court ordered schools to use the 2019 standards while the board retained attorney Ryan Leonard and will seek public comment and may send revisions to the Legislature.
- Beyond the standards, Ryan Walters, former state schools superintendent, left weeks ago after pushing Turning Point USA chapters and a plan to purchase more than 50,000 Bibles, while more than a dozen pending lawsuits remain.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Revealed: How ex-MAGA schools chief lied to board members to pass controversial standards
The Oklahoma State Board of Education plans to review, and possibly dismantle, social studies academic standards approved during the tenure of controversial former state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters.The Oklahoman reports "the controversy surrounding the standards started with how they were approved."Walters released a draft version of the standards in December, but held the final version until February. Board members had not received the …
Alaska’s ‘radical social studies standards’ blasted by national conservative media
The [Alaska Education] department’s regular personnel have failed so completely to provide adequate social studies standards that Alaska’s policymakers should step in and appoint an independent commission to draft depoliticized, content-rich social studies standards.
NWAHOMEPAGE
KFOR-TVChanges could be headed to Walters' controversial social studies standards
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - Interim Superintendent of Oklahoma Schools Lindel Fields said Thursday that changes are coming to Ryan Walters' controversial social studies standards. "I think there will be some changes to them, yes," said Supt. Fields. The statements came after the October Board of Education meeting, where the closed session had the board members discussing three different lawsuits, all focused on fighting Walters' Social Studies Standa…
McAlester News-Capital
Duncan BannerOklahoma Voice: New Oklahoma state superintendent expects ‘changes’ to controversial social studies standards
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma’s new chief of public schools said changes could be coming to the controversial academic standards for social studies that the state passed earlier this year.
Revealed: How ex-OK schools chief lied to board members to pass 'controversial' education standards
The Oklahoma State Board of Education plans to review, and possibly dismantle, social studies academic standards approved during the tenure of controversial former state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters.The Oklahoman reports "the controversy surrounding the standards started with how they were approved." Walters released a draft version of the standards in December, but held the final version until February. Board members had not received the…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 56% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
