Walters issues Bible mandate for schools

Mid-Del joins other districts in objecting to state directive

By Jeff Harrison
Midwest City Beacon

Oklahoma public schools will be required to incorporate the Bible into lessons according to directive from the state’s top education official.

State schools superintendent Ryan Walters says school districts shall incorporate the Bible as an instructional support because of its historical and cultural significance.

“The Bible is indispensable in understanding the development of Western civilization and American history,” said Walters. “To ensure our students are equipped to understand and contextualize our nation, its culture, and its founding, every student in Oklahoma will be taught the Bible in its historical, cultural, and literary context.”

Walters announced the directive last month and released further guidelines on July 24.

The new guidance document “provides guidelines for teachers on how to approach incorporation in a manner that emphasizes only its historical, literary and secular benefits, ensuring compliance with legal standards and precedents.”

Walters says the guidelines aim to provide a balanced, objective approach that respects diverse beliefs and fosters critical thinking.

The mandate has come under fire from civil rights groups, state lawmakers and school districts.

Oklahoma law already explicitly allows Bibles in the classroom and lets teachers use them in instruction, a spokesperson for Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s office told the Associated Press.
State law says that individual school districts have the exclusive authority to determine curriculum, reading lists and instructional materials and textbooks.

Oklahoma House Democrats urged school districts to continue following Oklahoma Statute that outlines subject matter standards and reiterate that revisions are subject to legislative review before implementation.

“The Oklahoma Constitution is very clear on what is allowed when it comes to public education,” said Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa, in a press release. “Every family is different, and religious instruction should begin with and remain in the rightful hands of parents and guardians.”

Several large school districts including Jenks, Norman, Moore, and Deer Creek have indicated that they will not change curriculum despite the directive.

Walters said compliance will be mandatory.

“Some Oklahoma educators have indicated they won’t follow the law and Oklahoma standards, so let me be clear: they will comply, and I will use every means to make sure of it,” Walter said.

Mid-Del Schools Superintendent Rick Cobb said the district has no plans to require that the Bible be used in classrooms. He believes a recent ruling by the State Supreme Court about library books at Edmond Public Schools shows support for local control.

“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,” he said in a statement.

The guidance document lists implementation strategies including textual analysis, comparative studies, historical documents and speeches and critical thinking and discussion.

It includes grade-specific guidelines for students in upper elementary, middle and high school.

There is also a section for “legal consideration.” They include:

– Ensure that all instruction is conducted in a neutral and objective manner. Teachers must not promote or favor any religious beliefs, focusing solely on the historical and literary aspects of the Bible.
– Acknowledge the Bible’s influence while recognizing and respecting the diversity of religious beliefs among students. Incorporate perspectives from other religious and secular traditions to provide a balanced view while remaining mindful of all rules for grade level and age level appropriate material.

– Maintain open communication with parents about the purpose and content of incorporating the Bible as an instructional support into the curriculum. Provide information on how the curriculum addresses historical and literary aspects, emphasizing that it is not an endorsement of any religious belief.

– The Bible must be used in student instruction for its historical, literary and secular value and is not to be used for religious purposes such as preaching, proselytizing or indoctrination.

The directive is set to take effect for the 2024-25 school year.