Oklahoma Superintendent Faces Lawsuit Over Bible Curriculum Mandate

Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters has threatened to hold school districts accountable for not including the Bible in their curricula, a directive that has faced significant pushback from over a dozen districts, including Bixby and Tulsa. During a board meeting, Walters referred to these districts as 'rogue administrators,' asserting that they are attempting to exclude historical contexts while allowing other controversial materials in classrooms. In response, Joseph Price, a citizen and parent, has filed a lawsuit against Walters, claiming the mandate violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment and Oklahoma's constitutional provisions regarding the separation of church and state. Price's lawsuit cites several Supreme Court cases that highlight the constitutional issues with mandatory religious content in public education. Meanwhile, Walters continues to assert the necessity of the Bible in education to ensure a well-rounded understanding of U.S. history. The Oklahoma State Department of Education has also sought to move Price's lawsuit to federal court, amid ongoing legal challenges against Walters' policies.