The Superintendent of Oklahoma schools directed state districts to integrate the Bible into middle school and high school curriculum in a memorandum issued on Thursday. The memorandum highlighted the historical and cultural importance of the Bible in providing context for our nation today.
The State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Ryan Walters, emphasized the importance of the Bible as a crucial historical and cultural reference in a press release shared with CNA on Thursday. He pointed out that without a fundamental understanding of the Bible, Oklahoma students would struggle to fully comprehend the origins of our nation.
This is why the educational standards in Oklahoma include provisions for teaching the Bible. Walters also stressed that this is not just an educational requirement, but a vital measure to help students comprehend the fundamental principles and historical background of our country.
A new law in Louisiana would require the Ten Commandments to be posted in classrooms at public schools and universities, but it faces potential legal challenges. Grant Shostak at Webster University is joined on LiveNOW by FOX’s Josh Breslow to discuss the law.
Oklahoma’s top education official has sparked controversy by ordering public schools to include the Bible in lesson plans for grades 5 through 12, angering civil rights groups.
In a memo issued Thursday, Republican State Superintendent Ryan Walters directed school leaders across the state to include the Bible in their curriculum, calling it essential to Western culture.
“Our children need to have an understanding of the Bible and its historical context,” Walters said.
Authority to compel biblical instruction
Walters argues that state laws and educational standards allow the use of the Bible in public education. Oklahoma social studies standards include stories from the Bible and texts from other religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism.
However, it is not clear whether Walters will be able to enforce the order. State law gives school districts exclusive authority to set curriculum and instructional materials.
Andy Fugit, an attorney with the Oklahoma Center for Educational Law, told The Associated Press that many districts are seeking guidance on Walters’ directive. He expects the order to face legal challenges from concerned groups over its violation of the Establishment Clause.
National context
Oklahoma’s order is part of a broader trend in conservative-led states. Louisiana now requires schools to display the Ten Commandments, and other states are pushing for Bible instruction and limiting lessons on race and gender.
Earlier this week, the Oklahoma Supreme Court blocked an effort to establish the nation’s first publicly funded religious charter school.
“There are cases where efforts to remove religion from the public sphere have gone too far,” Notre Dame law professor Richard Garnett told The Associated Press. “Now you’re seeing the adjustments.”
Reaction to orders
The directive has angered civil rights groups and church-state separation advocates. The Freedom from Religion Foundation, which is suing Louisiana over its Ten Commandments law, vowed to fight Walters’ order.
“Walters’ concern should be the fact that Oklahoma ranks 45th in education,” foundation co-president Dan Barker told The Associated Press. “If Oklahoma’s superintendent focused on education instead of religion, maybe education would improve.”
Seminole Public Schools Superintendent Bob Gregg expressed his concern despite his personal practice of reading the Bible daily.
“By separating, I believe church and state become stronger,” Gregg told The Associated Press. “(Walters) steps onto a slippery slope that could have serious consequences for our schools, churches, families, state and nation.”