Headline Roundup • June 28th, 2024
Should the Bible be Taught in Public Schools?
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Ryan Walters, mandated Thursday that grades 5–12 are to teach the Bible, including the Ten Commandments.
For Context: The Bible is now officially a part of the curriculum in Oklahoma, with schools being notified of the changes via letter. This comes on the heels of an Oklahoma Supreme Court decision not to allow a publicly funded religious charter school to operate. Louisiana also passed legislation earlier this month requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in all classrooms.
Key Quotes: Walters said, “We’ve seen the radical leftists drive God out of schools, drive the Bible out of schools, and we have to make sure that our kids have an understanding of what made America great.” In opposition, the head of Oklahoma’s chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations said, “We adamantly oppose any requirements that religion be forcefully taught or required as a part of lesson plans in public schools.”
How the Media Covered It: Media from across the political spectrum covered the developments. Media on the left, such as the Associated Press (Lean Left bias), were quick to call this “the latest effort by conservatives to incorporate religion into classrooms.” Left outlets also tended to show issues with Walter’s authority, citing state law showing authority to decide instruction lies with individual school districts. Outlets on the right tended to emphasize a desire for a greater understanding of the Bible's influence on America's Founding Fathers and the documents they penned.
Featured Coverage of this Story
SUE OGROCKI/ASSOCIATED PRESS
Public schools in Oklahoma are now required to teach students about the Bible and the Ten Commandments, the state’s top education official said Thursday.
AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki
All public schools in Oklahoma are now required to incorporate the Bible and Ten Commandments into their curricula for grades 5-10, primarily for historical context.
Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters issued a memo Thursday informing superintendents across the state their districts are required to incorporate the Bible into lessons.
Walters said in the memo that his directive aligns with educational standards approved in May 2019.
Oklahoma’s top education official ordered public schools Thursday to incorporate the Bible into lessons for grades 5 through 12, the latest effort by conservatives to incorporate religion into classrooms.
The directive drew immediate condemnation from civil rights groups and supporters of the separation of church and state, with some calling it an abuse of power and a violation of the U.S. Constitution.
The order sent to districts across the state by Republican State Superintendent Ryan Walters says adherence to the mandate is compulsory and “immediate and strict compliance is expected.”
