Oklahoma Senate Plans to Reject Controversial Social Studies Standards

Oklahoma lawmakers, led by Senate Education Committee Chair Sen. Adam Pugh, have filed a resolution to reject recently approved updates to the state's social studies and science standards amid controversy over the approval process and content changes. Three new State Board of Education members and Governor Kevin Stitt raised concerns that significant amendments—including references to 'discrepancies' in the 2020 election and requirements for Bible teachings—were made without adequate board review, with some members stating they received only 36 hours to review 400 pages of standards. Allegations surfaced that board members voted on a different version than the one emailed to them, a claim Superintendent Ryan Walters denies. The proposed standards would cost an estimated $33 million to implement with new curriculum and textbooks. If the Legislature rejects the standards, they will be sent back to the board for further review, and the 2019 standards would remain in effect until a revised version is approved. The episode has sparked broader debate over transparency and process in Oklahoma's educational policy-making.