In a controversial move, Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters has directed all public schools to integrate the Bible into their curriculum for grades 5 through 12. This directive, issued on Thursday, has sparked immediate criticism from civil rights groups and advocates for the separation of church and state.
Walters, a Republican elected in 2022, defended his decision, citing the Bible’s significance as a historical and cultural cornerstone essential for understanding the nation’s foundation. He emphasized the necessity of incorporating this knowledge into Oklahoma’s educational standards.
While state law already permits the presence of Bibles in classrooms and their use by teachers, the superintendent’s authority to mandate curriculum content is under scrutiny. According to Oklahoma law, individual school districts maintain exclusive control over instruction, curriculum, and educational materials.
Critics argue that Walters’ directive infringes upon the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits government endorsement of religion. Adam Soltani of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Oklahoma condemned the requirement as an unconstitutional imposition of religious education in public schools.
Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, denounced the directive as an example of Christian Nationalism, accusing Walters of using his position to impose personal religious beliefs on students.
This development is part of a broader conservative push targeting public education across several states. Louisiana recently mandated displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms, and similar efforts to promote Bible study and restrict curriculum content on race, sexual orientation, and gender identity are underway elsewhere.
Walters, known for his opposition to what he terms “woke ideology,” has faced criticism for previous actions, including attempts to ban books and remove what he describes as leftist influences from schools. His controversial appointments, such as that of a right-wing social media influencer to a state library committee, have further polarized opinions on his tenure.
The Oklahoma Supreme Court recently intervened by blocking the establishment of the nation’s first publicly funded religious charter school, highlighting ongoing legal challenges surrounding the intersection of religion and public education policy in the state.