Largest Oklahoma Schools Respond To OSDE Bible Directive, None Say They Plan To Change Curriculum

Following a directive from the Oklahoma State Department of Education to require a bible in schools, News 9 checked in with the 20 largest districts in the state to see what their plans are for the upcoming school year.

Many schools say they are still working through the details of the new guidelines from State Superintendent Ryan Walters, and conducting meetings between the curriculum and accreditation departments. 

From the schools News 9 has heard from, not a single district says they are changing their curriculum standards.

Two of the largest districts in the state, Oklahoma City Public Schools and Epic Charter Schools, say they are reviewing the guidelines, and have not responded on how they plan to proceed during this upcoming school year.

Here are a list of districts we have heard from:

Mustang Public Schools: 

“We are aware of the issuance of additional guidance from State Superintendent Ryan Walters regarding the inclusion of the Bible (and other resources) as part of the instructional materials in Oklahoma classrooms. At this time, we are reviewing the guidance provided and determining how to implement this mandate effectively and appropriately.

Our district is committed to following all applicable laws and regulations while focusing on ensuring an inclusive and effective learning environment for all students. We will continue to carefully review today’s guidance and communicate updates to our staff and families.”

Norman Public Schools: 

"We have reviewed the recent guidelines from the Oklahoma State Department of Education, and Norman Public Schools will not require Bibles in the classroom. Our district will continue to align with the state-approved academic standards while exercising our ability under the law to choose the curriculum that best serves our community. Our teachers and staff are focused on our mission: To prepare and inspire all students to achieve their full potential. We will continue to respect the Parents' Bill of Rights, adhere to state and federal law, and make decisions that prioritize our students' education and our community's values.

Norman Public Schools is committed to providing high-quality education that reflects the needs and expectations of our students, families and staff, and we will not waver in this commitment." -Superintendent Dr. Nick Migliorino

Mid-Del Public Schools:

“While passages from the Bible have relevance to understanding specific works of literature or historical events, it is not appropriate for us to mandate that all classrooms will have a Bible, or that all teachers will use it for instruction. The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled this summer that selection of instructional materials is a matter of local control. I hope that remains the law and continues to be our practice.”

Piedmont Public Schools:

“Piedmont School and District administrators are busy preparing to welcome our students and teachers back to school after a well-deserved summer break. As we anticipate the start of another great school year, I want to share a few updates regarding the use of foundational texts in classrooms at Piedmont Schools. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction recently sent a memo regarding using foundational texts in Oklahoma classrooms. The state-approved curriculum that Piedmont Schools adopted adheres to the current Oklahoma State Academic Standards (OSAS). The current standards acknowledge the significant influence of various religions in world history and culture. Studies include discussions on the impact of religion in shaping societies, traditions, and historical events. Piedmont Schools has adhered to these standards since their implementation in 2019. Piedmont students have been and will continue to be allowed to bring their own religious texts, including the Bible, to school. Additionally, students are not prohibited from using their library access or district-provided technology devices to access religious texts. However, it is important to clarify that while students learn about religion's role in historical and cultural contexts, teaching any specific religious doctrine or practice is not a part of the current standards. Our goal is to continue providing a respectful environment that acknowledges various perspectives while adhering to the set and approved Oklahoma educational standards. As an additional resource (Research courtesy of Moore Public Schools), we have provided a few examples from the current Oklahoma State Academic Standards where religious references are made below. We look forward to another year of student learning and growth. We appreciate your support and involvement in your student's education. We are better together.” -Dr. Drew Eichelberger Superintendent Piedmont Public Schools

Moore Public Schools: 

“The state-approved curriculum that MPS adopted adheres to the current Oklahoma State Academic Standards (OSAS). The current standards acknowledge the significant influence of various religions in the development of world history and culture. Studies include discussions on the impact of religion in shaping societies, traditions, and historical events. MPS has adhered to these standards since their implementation in 2019. MPS students have been and will continue to be allowed to bring their own religious texts, including the Bible, and additionally, are not prohibited from using their library access and/or district-provided technology devices to access religious texts. However, it is important to clarify that while students learn about religion's role in historical and cultural contexts, teaching any specific religious doctrine or practice is not a part of the current standards. Our goal is to continue providing a respectful environment that acknowledges various perspectives while adhering to the set and approved Oklahoma educational standards.”

Yukon Public Schools:

“Yukon Public Schools will continue to support our adopted curriculum which adheres to the Oklahoma State Academics Standards (OSAS), approved by the Oklahoma State Legislative body. As a district, we are committed to following our district approved curriculum. Schools are able to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of religion’s role in human history and culture while respecting the beliefs in our community.

For example: History: Religious texts can be studied as historical documents, exploring their impact on societies, cultures, and civilizations, such as studying the impact of the Bible on the development of Western civilization.

Literature: Works from religious texts can be analyzed as literary pieces, focusing on themes, characters, and writing styles. A literature class could analyze specific passages from the Bible as examples of poetry or prose.

Comparative Religion: Students can learn about different religions by comparing their core beliefs, practices, and historical development through a comparative religion course studying the Bible, Quran, and Torah.

Philosophy: Religious texts can be examined for their philosophical ideas and contributions to human thought.

“We trust our teachers to use the curriculum as it’s intended to help our students achieve.” Dr. Jason Simeroth, Yukon Public Schools Superintendent.

Jenks Public Schools: 

“As stated in a message to our staff and parents earlier this week, Jenks Public Schools’ current curriculum and resources are already aligned to the Oklahoma Academic Standards approved by the Oklahoma State Legislature. The guidelines distributed today by the State Department of Education lead to more questions than answers. JPS administrators will take time to review and digest this guidance. We will continue to make decisions based on JPS Board Policy and state law. Jenks Public Schools will always respect the religious beliefs of all students and staff members while fostering a safe, inclusive learning environment.”

Union Public Schools: 

“Union is compliant with the academic standards approved by the Oklahoma legislature. We are studying the new guidelines and have a number of questions. Union will always be respectful of the religious beliefs of our students and staff members.”     

Tulsa Public Schools:  

“Oklahoma school districts received new guidance from the Oklahoma State Department of Education regarding classroom curriculum and foundational texts. While we will continue to review the memo to better understand the expectations, the district carefully selects its instructional materials based upon the State Board of Education’s subject matter standards. This is because state law vests the State Board of Education with sole authority to specify the content of subject matter standards—just as it vests districts with exclusive authority to determine the instruction, curriculum, reading lists, textbooks and other instructional materials for use in the district’s schools. Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 11-103.6a(E), (F). Given this authority as a local district, Tulsa Public Schools will continue its planned course of instruction and curriculum developed with adherence to state law.”

Broken Arrow: 

“In light of recent events at the state level and the resulting questions we’ve received from staff and parents, Broken Arrow Public Schools would like to issue the following statement: On June 27, 2024, the state superintendent for public instruction issued a directive to school districts across the state requiring schools to incorporate the Bible as an instructional support into the curriculum for grades 5-12. Additional guidance was issued today, July 24, 2024. We have reviewed all information received on this topic, met with our internal instructional experts, and can confirm that Broken Arrow Public Schools is already compliant with the academic standards approved by the Oklahoma State Legislature. For the 24-25 school year, we will continue to use our current curriculum and approved resources which are aligned with the Oklahoma Academic Standards. Our existing district Board Policy 3020 on Religion in School clearly outlines the role of religion in curriculum and instruction. According to this existing policy, it is already permissible to teach objectively and accurately about the role of the Bible in the history of the United States and other countries, in alignment with the Oklahoma Academic Standards. The district will have to find funds to purchase the mandatory instructional supports outlined in the most recent guidance, but no curriculum or instructional changes are necessary at this time. Additional information will be provided should the situation change in the weeks to come. The district will continue to comply with the Oklahoma Academic Standards while also fostering a safe, respectful learning environment for all students and all staff members. Let me know if you have any follow-up questions. As a side note, we believe we can get free “pocket” copies of the three historical documents now required in classrooms, but we are still looking at options for the Bible and Ten Commandments. It will be several thousand dollars for our district to equip the roughly 1,400 classrooms with individual copies of these items.”

Owasso Public Schools:

“Over the last several weeks, announcements have been made by the State Department of Education (SDE) with the intent to require teachers to use the Bible as part of their instructional materials and to revise Oklahoma’s social studies standards. I know these announcements have resulted in many questions, therefore, I would like to share with you legal considerations regarding academic standards and instructional materials. State law, 70 O.S. § 11-103.6a, is clear that the selection of curriculum and instructional materials used to teach subject matter standards is a matter of local control. State law allows, but does not mandate, the inclusion of the Bible as part of curriculum and/or as instructional material. It is common for the SDE to recommend certain curriculum and instructional resources to assist educators in delivering instruction related to academic standards, however, SDE cannot mandate curriculum or instructional resources. Oklahoma law requires adoption of subject matter standards on a six-year cycle. The existing social studies standards were adopted in 2019 and are up for adoption again in 2025. State law further requires that academic standards be approved by the State Board of Education and the state legislature before implementation. (Note: If the legislature fails to adopt a joint resolution either approving or disapproving the standards in whole or in part within 30 legislative days following the submission of the standards, the standards are considered approved). SDE already suggests the Bible or passages within the Bible as a teaching resource for some academic standards. For example, within the approved social studies standards, World History Content Standards includes, “WH.1.2 - Describe the origins, major beliefs, spread and lasting impact of the world’s major religions and philosophies, including Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Confucianism, and Sikhism.” The curriculum currently used by Owasso Public Schools is fully aligned with the approved Oklahoma Academic Standards and we will continue to adhere to the curriculum and instructional materials previously adopted by the district. As a public school system, it is crucial that we maintain neutrality and objectivity in our curriculum and instructional practices. Further, I want to reassure you that our current board policy #1.69, District Wide Parental Involvement (Parents/Legal Guardians) (Parents' Bill of Rights), provides you with the ability to inspect curriculum and instructional materials at any time. According to the policy, "parents who object to an assignment based on sex, morality or religion may opt their minor child out of the assignment." When this occurs, the teacher simply provides an alternative assignment for the student. It is also important to note that students have been and will continue to have the right to bring their own religious texts to school, or to access religious texts using school-issued technology should they choose.”