Oklahoma Suit Seeks Block of Social Studies Standards

A coalition of parents, teachers, clergy, and students has filed a lawsuit with the Oklahoma Supreme Court aiming to block the state's new social studies standards, arguing they unlawfully promote Christianity and include misinformation. The plaintiffs claim the standards violate the First Amendment and state laws on curriculum accuracy and age-appropriateness, and that the approval process breached the Open Meeting Act due to lack of transparency. The lawsuit seeks to halt the standards' implementation before the upcoming school year and reinstate the 2019 standards until a lawful alternative is approved. Controversial aspects include mandatory lessons on biblical stories, disputed claims about the 2020 election, and the COVID-19 pandemic's alleged origin. Plaintiffs also express concern that the new curriculum could marginalize minority faith students and force teachers into making theological judgments. State Superintendent Ryan Walters has dismissed the lawsuits as politically motivated.