Oklahoma Judge Upholds Social Studies Standards

An Oklahoma County judge dismissed a lawsuit challenging the state's new social studies standards, which include over 40 references to the Bible and Judeo-Christian values as well as provisions on the 2020 election. The lawsuit was led by former Attorney General Mike Hunter alongside parents and teachers, but the judge ruled that no laws or rules were broken and the matter falls under legislative and executive discretion. Superintendent Ryan Walters celebrated the ruling as a victory for his 'America First' education agenda, while Hunter has announced plans to appeal. The standards, which require Bibles in classrooms, will be implemented in schools by fall. Legislative inaction allowed the standards to be adopted automatically, despite some state board members' concerns about the approval process. No funding for Bible distribution was included in the state budget, so Walters is seeking donations to provide Bibles in every classroom.