Should students learn how the Bible shaped America’s founding? Oklahoma’s new education standards say yes—critics say no. Here’s what’s at stake in the legal battle over new social studies standards.



A small group of 33 Oklahoma parents, teachers, and faith leaders signed a petition and filed a lawsuit with the Oklahoma State Supreme Court over the 2025 Oklahoma Academic Standards for Social Studies.

The group is claiming that the standards are unconstitutional because the new K-12 standards would include biblical references and require students to learn Bible stories and some of Jesus's teachings in connection to their influence on American colonists, America's founders, and American culture. When students reach grades five through eight, they would be taught the Judeo-Christian values that influenced America's founders, according to Oklahoma Voice.

The Oklahoma State Board of Education claims that State Superintendent Ryan Walters (the board's chair) didn't make them aware of the significant differences between the current standards and the previous ones being used prior to voting for the new standards, according to Oklahoma Voice. The previous standards were from 2019.

The Oklahoma Supreme Court moved to block the 2025 standards on Monday, and ordered that the 2019 standards would be staying in place as the litigation for the 2025 standards continues, according to Christian Post. It also ruled that State officials may not spend any state funds on the 2025 standards, according to Americans United.

The small group of protestors is being represented by Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law and Justice.

"These new social studies standards would violate students' and families' religious freedom by promoting one version of Christianity and advancing Christian Nationalist disinformation. Not on our watch. Public schools are not Sunday schools," said Americans United President and CEO Rachel Laser.

State Superintendent Ryan Walters has been a supporter of giving the Bible a greater role in Oklahoma's public schools. He claims that this is what Oklahomans want.

"The Oklahoma Supreme Court is embarrassing and clearly is out of step with Oklahomans," Walters said in a statement obtained by Oklahoma Voice.

Source