Pro-Bible social studies standards head to Oklahoma legislature

New pro-Bible social studies standards will go before the legislature. The Oklahoma State Board of Education voted in favor of the new academic standards that would require lessons to include references to the Bible and Christianity. This is the first meeting since Gov. Kevin Stitt replaced three of the board members, and one of those new members wanted more time to review the standards before the vote.

RELATED: Oklahoma Board of Education Approves New Science and Social Studies Standards, Emphasizing Tribal Sovereignty and Civics

“I’d like to table this,” said new board member Ryan Deathrage just before the vote. “If there could be a little bit of time for us to have more time with them to go through this.”

Science and social studies standards are reviewed and updated every five to six years. A board presentation outlined 10 months of work on the new standards, which now include over 50 references to the Bible and Christianity, up from two in the previous curriculum. The revisions also expand teachings on Oklahoma’s Native American tribes.

“These new standards will ensure kids have an accurate and comprehensive view of historical events while also re-enforcing the values that make our country great,” said State Superintendent Ryan Walters.

Despite Deathrage’s opposition, the board approved the standards. However, at their first board meeting, new appointees questioned how to add agenda items, a process typically controlled by Walters, who is the Chairman of the Board.

“The statue gives us big responsibilities, and it says the board will do that; if the board thinks it needs to do something, how do we get it on the agenda?” new board member Mike Tinney asked.

The conversations continued with concerns on providing oversight of the department.

“Part of the board's responsibility is oversight of the Department of Education,” said new board member Chris VanDenhende. “If we don't have the ability to add items to the agenda that we think are important to that oversight responsibility, we cannot perform that function. What statute, what administrative rule confines the agenda oversight to only the chairman, that's the question.”

The board's general council says those concerns by the new board members will be discussed. Meanwhile, the revised academic standards will now go to the legislature for approval. The State Department of Education is already searching for teaching materials that would incorporate the Bible into elementary school social studies lessons.