OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma Superintendent Ryan Walters has issued new guidelines aimed at integrating the Bible into public school curricula, emphasizing its historical, cultural, and literary significance. The announcement, made Wednesday, outlines specific requirements for students from fifth to 12th grades, mandating analysis of biblical stories and their impact on Western culture.
In a statement, Walters underscored the Bible’s importance in comprehending Western civilization and American history. “To ensure our students grasp the essence of our nation, its culture, and its founding, every student in Oklahoma will study the Bible in its appropriate context,” he remarked. Walters also emphasized ongoing communication between schools and parents to ensure transparency and collaboration in students’ education.
The guidelines necessitate that every classroom possess physical copies of the Bible, alongside foundational American documents such as the United States Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Ten Commandments.
Although Walters initially introduced the Bible’s inclusion in state curriculum during a June State Board of Education meeting, specific guidelines were detailed for the first time this Wednesday. However, some of Oklahoma’s largest school districts have voiced opposition and indicated reluctance to comply.
Walters has made it clear that non-compliant districts will face consequences. “Some Oklahoma educators have indicated they won’t adhere to the law and state standards,” he stated. “Let me be unequivocal: they will comply, and I will take all necessary measures to ensure it.”
Mixed Reactions and Legal Questions
The guidelines have evoked a diverse array of responses. Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, criticized the move as unconstitutional and potentially coercive. “It’s just absurd,” Gaylor remarked. “He’s signaling loudly that he expects schools to indoctrinate children in the Christian religion.”
In contrast, Chuck Stetson, CEO of the Bible Literacy Project, praised the initiative, asserting its educational merit and legality. Stetson emphasized the Bible’s widespread literary references and argued that its omission from public schools could disadvantage students in understanding literature and history.
While supportive of the initiative overall, Stetson expressed uncertainty about its implementation at lower grade levels.
The guidelines, which take effect immediately, mark a significant shift in Oklahoma’s educational landscape, prompting ongoing debate over the role of religion in public schooling and the boundaries of constitutional law.