Oklahoma Purchases 500 Bibles for Classrooms

Oklahoma's Superintendent of Public Instruction, Ryan Walters, announced the purchase of 500 Bibles designated for Advanced Placement U.S. Government classrooms, claiming it to be the first such purchase in the nation aimed at using Bibles as academic resources. This announcement follows the cancellation of a previous request for proposals to purchase 55,000 Bibles, which faced criticism for its narrow specifications favoring a specific edition endorsed by Donald Trump. The details regarding the cost and source of the Bibles remain undisclosed, and Walters aims to make Bibles available in every classroom across the state. Critics have raised concerns about the legality of this initiative and its implications for public education. Walters has been perceived as attempting to increase his national profile, especially with speculation about a potential role in the Trump administration. The Oklahoma State Department of Education clarified that this purchase is distinct from the earlier RFP and plans to issue a revised version soon.