What do you learn about in history class?
Perhaps the American Revolution, the Founding Fathers, the Declaration of Independence, or the Constitution?
Recently, however, Oklahoma Superintendent Ryan Walters has suggested a different focus: the Bible.
On July 24, Walters issued a new directive mandating that public schools in Oklahoma teach the Bible as part of their curriculum. This follows an earlier push from Walters to incorporate this religious text into classrooms across the state (USA Today).
How does Walters propose to include the Bible?
Walters' guidance mandates every Oklahoman 5th through 12th grade classroom to have a physical copy of the Bible, along with the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. Superintendent Walters believes that the Bible is “mandatory for the holistic education of students in Oklahoma,” (USA Today) because it can fit the broader curriculum in a secular manner. According to Walters, the Bible is crucial to understand Western civilization as a whole and its impact on American history, art, and culture.
Interestingly, however, the Bible is not alluded to or quoted in the Declaration of Independence, a foundational American document. In fact, even 18th century framers like Thomas Jefferson understood the importance of a separation between church and state. Jefferson even established a library, rather than a church, as the center of his University of Virginia.
While Walters' guidance identifies how the Bible might be integrated into the curriculum, it lacks practical instructions for teachers on how to accommodate and respect various religious and non-religious viewpoints in the classroom.
Because of this lack of acknowledgement to other faiths, Walters' message has been lost on many Oklahoman public school districts. Several of these schools have publicly stated that they will not change their curriculum regardless of Walters' new guidelines (The Oklahoman).
Image Credit: Ksenia Chernaya from Pexels
Some Pressing Issues in Oklahoma?
National data shows that the academic impact of COVID-19 on Oklahoma is far from over. In an especially crucial time when bridging the gap should be the top priority, Walters is focusing on the wrong things and detracting from more pressing educational needs.
A national NWEA research report from July shows that the gap between pre-pandemic results for Oklahoma has widened during the 2023-24 school year. This was a result of an extensive study conducted by NWEA which administered standardized assessments across the country, including in more than 100 Oklahoma school districts.
Furthermore, data from the Oklahoma State Department of Education shows that only 27% of students are scoring at proficient levels in reading, math, and science on state tests—scores that significantly impact a school’s overall rating (NWEA).
Given these urgent educational challenges, it appears the Superintendent Walter's focus on integrating the Bible into the curriculum may be distracting from more critical issues.
Although Walters may believe that the Bible is the best way for students to learn about their nation's history, perhaps there should be a more focused and inclusive approach to address the educational issues in Oklahoma. Immediate academic needs, such as a greater emphasis on math and reading skills, can be more beneficial in the long run when it comes to ensuring that all students receive high-quality education.
Oklahoma will then be able to better support its students and work towards narrowing academic gaps.
In a time when Oklahoma’s educational system faces significant challenges, the focus should be on bridging the academic gaps, not deepening the divides.
