Bible must be taught in Oklahoma schools, state superintendent says

The superintendent of Oklahoma schools ordered districts statewide Thursday to incorporate the Bible “as an instructional support into the curriculum" for grades 5 through 12, citing its importance as a historical document.

“Adherence to this mandate is compulsory,” wrote Superintendent Ryan Walters. “Further instructions for monitoring and reporting on this implementation for the 2024/25 school year will be forthcoming. Immediate and strict compliance is expected.”

The announcement prompted blowback from some Democratic lawmakers and groups that support separation of church and state.

Walters announced he’d sent the letter during the monthly state board of education meeting as a stack of five books – three of which were versions of the Bible – sat in front of him. His spokesman sent a news release to local and state media but did not provide a copy of the letter. The Oklahoman, part of the USA TODAY Network, obtained the letter from another source.

Walters’ announcement came two days after the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled a contract between the Statewide Virtual School Charter Board and St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School, which would have been the nation’s first religious-based charter school, violated both state and federal law. Walters was not a party in that case, although he strongly criticized the court’s decision.

Walters said he made the order based on broad authority he cited under Title 70 of Oklahoma Statutes, which governs state education. A section of that law reads, in part: “School districts shall exclusively determine the instruction, curriculum, reading lists and instructional materials and textbooks, subject to any applicable provisions or requirements as set forth in law, to be used in meeting the subject matter standards. School districts may, at their discretion, adopt supplementary student assessments which are in addition to the statewide student assessments.”

In a news release, Walters said his directive is "in alignment” with state educational standards approved in May 2019. That’s when Oklahoma's education department updated its social studies standards under Joy Hofmeister, then the state superintendent of schools.

“Oklahoma law already explicitly allows Bibles in the classroom and enables teachers to use them in instruction,” the office of the state's attorney general said in a statement.

In his letter, Walters called the Bible “one of the most historically significant books and a cornerstone of Western civilization, along with the Ten Commandments."

"They will be referenced as an appropriate study of history, civilization, ethics, comparative religion, or the like, as well as for their substantial influence on our nation’s founders and the foundational principles of our Constitution," he wrote. "This is not merely an educational directive but a crucial step in ensuring our students grasp the core values and historical context of our country. “

He said the state education department may supply teaching materials for Bible instruction “to ensure uniformity in delivery.”

Among those criticizing Walters’ action was the Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

“We adamantly oppose any requirements that religion be forcefully taught or required as a part of lesson plans in public schools, in Oklahoma, or anywhere else in the country,” said CAIR-OK’s executive director, Adam Soltani. “Religious freedom, as outlined in the Constitution, allows for the academic instruction of religion in subjects such as geography, social studies, and history. To require religious scripture, regardless of which one it may be, to be incorporated into lessons in our schools, however, is a clear violation of the Constitution's establishment clause and infringes on the rights of our students and their families.”

State Rep. Mickey Dollens, a Democrat representing Oklahoma City and a frequent critic of Walters, cited Oklahoma’s low ranking on national education lists and suggested the superintendent’s focus should be elsewhere.

“Requiring a Bible in every classroom does not improve Oklahoma’s ranking in 49th in education,” Dollens told The Oklahoman. “Ryan Walters should focus on educating students, not evangelizing them.”

Two Democrats who serve on an education committee in the state legislature, Tulsa Reps. Melissa Provenzano and John Waldron, suggested school districts should take a wait-and-see approach to implementing the order.

“Following this new directive from the State Superintendent of Education, we advise school districts to carefully review and follow existing state law when it comes to religious instruction in schools,” Provenzano said. “We know from the outcome of SQ 790 that Oklahomans are overwhelmingly against using public dollars to fund religious purposes. The Oklahoma Constitution is very clear on what is allowed when it comes to public education.

“Religious instruction should begin with and remain in the rightful hands of parents and guardians. Today’s directive feels like an unprecedented attempt from the State Superintendent to distract from the reported investigations into financial mismanagement of tax dollars meant to support our schools.”

Rachel Laser, the president and chief executive officer of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, called Walters' order "textbook Christian Nationalism."

"Walters is abusing the power of his public office to impose his religious beliefs on everyone else’s children," she said.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Bible must be taught in Oklahoma schools, state superintendent says