OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — Oklahoma lawmakers are once again examining the state’s new social studies standards after Governor Kevin Stitt raised concerns about how they were approved, prompting a reevaluation of the process and content.
Last week, both the state House and Senate leadership expected the new standards to take effect, following their approval by the State Board of Education on February 27. However, a late-filed resolution by Senator Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, has added a new layer of uncertainty.
Pugh’s joint resolution, filed Thursday afternoon, explicitly disapproves of the social studies and science standards approved by the board. The resolution argues that the new standards, which could cost the state up to $33 million for textbooks and curriculum updates, should be reexamined.
“The legislature disapproves in whole the social studies and science subject matter standards approved by the state board of education on February 27th,” the resolution states.
The move comes just hours after Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, indicated that lawmakers would reconsider the standards, following Governor Stitt’s concerns.
Governor Stitt Raises Red Flags Over Approval Process
Governor Stitt has expressed concerns regarding the approval process, which he says raised questions about transparency. The governor pointed out that some members of the State Board of Education received a draft version of the standards via email, but the version they voted on in the meeting appeared to be different.
“It’s been shown to me from the board members that they were emailed a copy of those standards. But then there was a different standard that was sitting on the desk that they actually voted on,” Stitt said, questioning whether proper procedures had been followed.
While Stitt did not outright oppose the content of the standards, his concerns over the process have led lawmakers to call for further scrutiny.
Content of the New Standards Sparks Debate
The new standards have also sparked controversy over their content. Among the proposed changes are lessons on the 2020 election, which include theories about the election being “stolen,” as well as Bible stories being incorporated into the curriculum.
Senate Pro Tem Paxton expressed his belief that the content itself may not warrant sending the standards back to the State Board of Education, but he acknowledged the need to address concerns about how the standards were approved.
“I’ve actually pulled the areas of the standards in. And I don’t agree that it’s enough to send them back based on what’s in those standards,” Paxton said. “But the process of the possible switch is something that needs to be looked at.”
Paxton also noted that lawmakers are receiving conflicting information from various sources and are working to clarify the situation before the deadline for making a decision.
Democratic Lawmakers Call for Rejection of Standards
As the deadline to finalize the standards approaches, Democratic lawmakers are urging their colleagues to reject the new curriculum. Senator Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, voiced strong opposition, calling for immediate action to prevent the standards from moving forward.
“We’re calling on our colleagues to hear our resolutions or bring forward their own to make sure we reject this,” Kirt said. “The window is closing right now, and we need to focus on our students first.”
With both political and procedural issues at play, the outcome of the debate over Oklahoma’s new social studies standards remains uncertain. Lawmakers are under pressure to make a decision quickly, balancing concerns about cost, content, and process before the new curriculum is set to take effect.
As the situation develops, all eyes will remain on the State Capitol to see how this critical issue is resolved.
