Oklahoma Adopts New High School Standards Including 2020 Election Conspiracy Theories

Oklahoma's new social studies standards, revised under Republican State School Superintendent Ryan Walters, will require high school students to study conspiracy theories related to the 2020 presidential election, including alleged discrepancies in vote counting and concerns about mail-in ballots. These changes, added just hours before the state school board's vote, also include claims about the COVID-19 virus originating from a Chinese lab and reflect a broader emphasis on national pride and biblical references. Walters has framed these revisions as a corrective to what he describes as left-wing indoctrination in schools, aiming to restore a 'genuine understanding of history.' However, the new standards have drawn criticism even from fellow Republicans, including the governor and legislative leaders, who were alarmed by the last-minute alterations. A coalition of parents and educators has filed a lawsuit challenging the standards, arguing they were not properly reviewed and that they promote misinformation. This controversy highlights ongoing debates about educational content, political influence, and the framing of recent history in public schools.