Oklahoma Supreme Court Overturns Controversial Education Curriculum

The Oklahoma Supreme Court recently dealt a significant blow against an educational curriculum that stirred quite a bit more controversy than anyone might have anticipated. This curriculum was whipped up by Ryan Walters, a former state education chief who tried shoehorning Christian Nationalist themes right smack dab in public school teachings. His efforts, though, ran head-on with an important state law—the Oklahoma's own version that screams transparency and public participation in educational decisions.

Walters, who didn't stick around till his term was up, ultimately linked arms with a right-wing faction. These folks take issue with what they like calling "woke teachers' unions." When slapped with this court ruling, Walters didn't hold back, barking that it was a "full-on assault on Christianity, our Good Book, and even former President Trump."

The heated debate over curriculum changes

Roll back time a bit—back in June 2024, Walters and his pals at Oklahoma State Board Education (OSBE) rolled out some new guidelines. Their big idea was making sure K-12 classrooms shone a spotlight on how deeply intertwined history, literature, and even art are with biblical influences. And just in case anyone doubted their seriousness, they wanted every classroom decked out with physical copies. Not just any old books, but heavy-hitters like The Bible, The Ten Commandments, and our treasured founding docs: The U.S. Constitution and The Declaration.

But here comes a twist. The curriculum also had its fair share (or unfair share) due with inaccuracies. It pushed this version where America was founded on biblical and Christian roots. To top it off, conspiracy theories also got a piece: something about how COVID-19 supposedly leaked from a Chinese lab, and murmurings over election shenanigans in 2020. All these glossy changes? A hefty $33 million price tag was dangling over Oklahoma taxpayers' heads.

As October rolled in, OSBE decided it wasn't worth it and dropped these changes like a hot potato. But a bunch—33, if we're counting—of folks weren't about letting bygones be bygones. Parents, students, teachers, and faith leaders joined hands and marched right up with a lawsuit. This tugged at Oklahoma Supreme Court's shirt sleeves, begging them, "Look closer, will ya?" Under state law, you see, rule crafting needs some see-through practices and shout-outs so folks know what gives. And that's precisely where Walters and OSBE missed a beat.

Reactions from court and public alike

The court didn't mince words. They pointed out that Walters hadn't exactly been upfront with either OSBE members or, more importantly, with John and Jane Public regarding these curriculum tweaks. It didn't help their case that what they intended was a far cry from what got released at first.

Ultimately, Walters' standards got tossed aside, with an older 2019 version reinstated. Overjoyed were groups like Americans United and Oklahoma Appleseed Center—they felt vindicated.

Rachel Laser, leading Americans United, made a bold statement, insisting families—not politicians—should steer kids' religious compass. Her words? "These standards trampled on religious freedom, cornering students and families with a singular Christian view. Schools ain't Sunday schools, after all."

Walters, on fire, blasted back at what he called "left-wing judicial activism" and went so far as demanding those justices hit with resignation. In his view, they totally went against what a chunk—or so he claims—of Oklahomans wanted. But, surprise, surprise, he didn't come armed with proof.

Ryan Walters' challenging time on deck

During his time as Oklahoma's education head honcho, Ryan Walters was no stranger—well, more like a magnet—to controversies. Soon as he exited stage left, Lindel Fields, a retired superintendent, came in swinging, undoing many changes Walters twiddled with. This included reviving OSDE's Hall and ditching links tied up with Christian Nationalist misinformation.

Walters' term was like a spotlight magnet. State Attorney General Gentner Drummond wasn't gonna let it slide and called in Sir Scrutiny. Allegations flew, swirling around mishandled funds—$150 million tagged initially meant school security was among them. Not only that, students needing asthma inhalers were left hanging without funds.

Walters had a whole laundry list: from striking at LGBTQ+ books, cheering Bible-focused history classes, and peddling untruths about schools clearing room and litter boxes (for those claiming cat identities). His description? Teachers' unions likened as "terrorist groups," and he tried curbing LGBTQ+ books and transgender student rights.

Aligning with groups like Moms 4 Liberty, he even placed bets on figures like Chaya Raichik, more known by "Libs 4 TikTok," in prominent roles, even if her educational experience, well, was nonexistent.

Before he bowed out, Walters had dreams—like pushing Turning Point USA student groups across all schools. Oklahoma? Still grappling with teacher shortages and low rankings, shadows partly cast by Walters' rollercoaster policies.

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