Oklahoma Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging Social Studies Standards

An Oklahoma County District Court judge dismissed a lawsuit challenging the state's newly adopted social studies standards, which include references to the 2020 election and religious content such as widespread Bible inclusion in classrooms. The lawsuit, led by parents, grandparents, and teachers, argued the standards were rushed and misrepresented, but the court found no laws or rules were broken and ruled the plaintiffs lacked legal standing. The standards were approved by the State Board of Education and took effect automatically after the Oklahoma Legislature did not act to block them. State Superintendent Ryan Walters defended the standards as promoting a "pro-America education" that rejects liberal activism and emphasized that Bibles will be available in every classroom, describing them as a "core founding document." Despite controversy and some board members feeling rushed into approval, the judiciary deemed the issue a political question beyond court intervention. Schools are expected to implement the curriculum by fall, though state lawmakers did not allocate funding for Bible distribution, prompting Walters to seek donations.