OK Superintendent Works With Rep. Fisher On AP History Bill Language

Wednesday night, State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister met with media and addressed HB-1380, the bill authored by Representative Dan Fisher (District 60.)

While she backed the idea of “American Exceptionalism” being taught in schools, she wants schools to have a choice.

"We need to be very careful that we are teaching American Exceptionalism and at the same time recognizing we have a decision, it's a choice for parents and for local school bodies," said Joy Hofmeister, State Superintendent.

Rep. Fisher's bill calls for the state to rewrite its own Advanced Placement U.S. History framework. A request that the state estimates would cost $3.8 Million and comes while the State Board of Education is already working on new standards for other courses.

2/18/2015 Related Story: Backlash To Advanced Placement History Courses Possibly Losing Funding

"We are in the process right now of writing new standards K-12 for English and Math and this is an expensive and all-consuming process so the timing of that is an issue," Hofmeister said.

But the superintendent did mention she has spoken with Rep. Fisher and is working with him on the language of his bill.

"There's a lot of issues that I think need to be addressed and I am working with the author and he is very open and receptive to hearing those concerns and really taking another look at that language," Hofmeister said.

Hofmeister also mention Rep. Fisher is “wanting to revisit some of the language” of the bill.

In Fisher's bill he emphasizes "American Exceptionalism" and writes "The Ten Commandments and the Justinian Code" should be taught.

Opponents believe those documents would be best in a government course, not AP U.S. History.

American Exceptionalism is an ideology commonly paired with “American values.”

The Washington Post explains “America Exceptionalism” as an ideology based on five ideas: Liberty, individualism, the belief in equality of all men, the philosophy that appeals to the common man rather appealing to a traditional party or partisan ideologies and an attitude of letting things take their own course, without interfering.

GOP.com describes American Exceptionalism by writing, “We are the party of peace through strength. Professing the conviction that our country holds a unique place and role in human history – we proudly associate ourselves with those Americans of all political stripes who, more than three decades ago in a world as dangerous as today's, came together to advance the cause of freedom.”