June 13, 2025

logo
google_play
app_store
Login Subscribe
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
    • Opinions
  • Sports
  • E-edition
    • Special Sections
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
      • Opinions
    • Sports
    • E-edition
      • Special Sections
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
As
News, School News
April 1, 2025

As Walters confers with Republicans, Oklahoma Democrats seek to block new social studies standards

By NURIA MARTINEZ-KEEL OKLAHOMA VOICE 

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma House and Senate Democrats on Monday filed resolutions to reject a controversial proposal of new academic standards for social studies education in public schools.

State Superintendent Ryan Walters’ administration developed the standards, which dictate what public schools must teach in social studies classes, along with committees of Oklahoma teachers and a group of national right-wing media personalities and policy advocates. The proposed standards would require education on the Bible, Jesus and alleged “discrepancies” in the 2020 presidential election.

Rejecting the proposed standards in full would send them back to the Oklahoma State Board of Education, which approved them on Feb. 27, for revisions. The Republican supermajority in the House and Senate would have to agree to the denial.

Leaders of the minority party said the process that produced the new standards was riddled with political interference.

Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa, said lawmakers and the state Board of Education should take a slow, methodical approach “where everyone has their questions answered and parents feel comfortable” with the results.

“We need to slow down and take time and get this right,” Provenzano said.

One newly appointed state Board of Education member, Ryan Deatherage, said during the board’s Feb. 27 meeting that he didn’t have enough time to read through the standards before voting on them.

It later came to light that the Oklahoma State Department of Education made changes to the proposed standards without revealing them publicly, including the addition of language questioning the results of the 2020 presidential election.

Walters responded to the Democrats on Monday by accusing them of promoting “radical gender ideologies and anti-American agendas” instead of supporting “the core truths of America’s history and values.”

“We’re not surprised that Democrats are relentlessly undermining our children’s education,” he said in a statement.

The state Legislature has 30 legislative days after the state board submits the academic standards to approve, amend or reject them, according to Oklahoma law.

Legislative staff determined the 30-day deadline is May 1, said Jennifer Monies, a spokesperson for the House Speaker’s Office.

If lawmakers take no action by the deadline, the proposed standards would take effect as written, according to state law. If the Legislature rejects the standards, then Oklahoma’s current standards, which were established in 2019, would remain in place until the new version is approved.

Republican leaders in both chambers have yet to take a stance on Walters’ proposal.

Walters met with House Republicans in a caucus meeting Monday, the Speakers’ Office confirmed.

House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, said last week he invited Walters to the closed-door meeting to discuss the social studies standards. Hilbert said House Republicans then would deliberate as a caucus and with the Senate on what action, if any, is necessary.

The state reviews and enacts new academic standards for school subjects every six years. Hilbert said the state Legislature has never changed or rejected academic standards before.

“Before making the decision, I think it’s appropriate for the state superintendent to have a chance to make his pitch to our caucus,” Hilbert said.

Oklahoma Voice (oklahomavoice.com) is an affiliate of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization, supported by grants and donations. Oklahoma Voice provides nonpartisan reporting, and retains full editorial independence.

this is a test
City adopts $91M budget for FY26
A: Main, Main, News
City adopts $91M budget for FY26
Ollie’s Bargain Center coming to Sallisaw
By Lynn Adams Staff Writer 
June 12, 2025
The City of Sallisaw will be working with a budget of almost $91 million for the fiscal year that ends June 30, 2026, after city commissioners at their monthly meeting Monday adopted a budget for the ...
this is a test
Today’s the day when  superstition is highest
A: Main, Main, News
Today’s the day when superstition is highest
It's Friday the 13th
By Lynn Adams Staff Writer 
June 12, 2025
Are you superstitious? No? Are you sure? Do you knock on wood or never open an umbrella indoors or never walk under a ladder or avoid breaking a mirror or avoid stepping on a crack in the sidewalk or ...
this is a test
Here’s your sign
News
Here’s your sign
June 11, 2025
A high-flying crew, hoisted by a crane, on Wednesday completed installation of signage drawing attention to 7Brew Drive Thru Coffee, Taco Bell and Whataburger, located on South Kerr Boulevard in Salli...
this is a test
Remembering when
News, School News
Remembering when
Sallisaw Class of 1975 tour Big Toy Museum
June 11, 2025
Members of the Sallisaw Class of 1975 held their 50-year class reunion Saturday at the Old Sallisaw High School Association Black Diamond Event Center. Several alumni also visited the Big Toy Museum, ...
this is a test
Tribes celebrate record economic impact in Oklahoma
News, Tribal
Tribes celebrate record economic impact in Oklahoma
By EMMA MURPHY AND NURIA MARTINEZ-KEEL | OKLAHOMA VOICE 
June 11, 2025
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma’s tribal nations contributed $23.4 billion to the state’s economy in 2023, according to a study released Wednesday. Over 55,000 Oklahomans were directly employed by tribes and...
this is a test
Sallisaw Veterans Center welcomes first residents
A: Main, Main, News
Sallisaw Veterans Center welcomes first residents
By Lynn Adams Staff Writer 
June 10, 2025
The more days that turned into weeks, which then evolved into months and stretched into years since the September 2020 groundbreaking for the new Sallisaw Veterans Center, the more impatient the commu...
this is a test{"epopulate_editorials":"Epopulate"}{"sequoyah-county-times":"Sequoyah County Times"}


ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
google_play
app_store

Editor Picks
6 incumbents re-elected in Cherokee Nation General Election
A: Main, Main, News
6 incumbents re-elected in Cherokee Nation General Election
June 10, 2025
Six incumbents were re-elected to the Council of the Cherokee Nation during the tribe’s General Election on June 7, according to unofficial results from the Cherokee Nation Election Commission. The in...
this is a test{"epopulate_editorials":"Epopulate"}{"sequoyah-county-times":"Sequoyah County Times"}
Sallisaw School Board approves new hires, superintendent’s contract, insurance plans
A: Main, Main, News
Sallisaw School Board approves new hires, superintendent’s contract, insurance plans
By Amie Cato-Remer Editor 
June 10, 2025
The Sallisaw Board of Education convened for its regular monthly meeting at 6 p.m. Monday at the district’s administration building, approving a full slate of business measures ahead of the upcoming s...
this is a test{"epopulate_editorials":"Epopulate"}{"sequoyah-county-times":"Sequoyah County Times"}
Your TIMES wins awards at state meet
A: Main, Main, News
Your TIMES wins awards at state meet
June 10, 2025
SHAWNEE — Your TIMES and its staff earned 13 awards Saturday when the Oklahoma Press Association presented its Better Newspaper Contest awards during the association’s annual convention held this year...
this is a test{"epopulate_editorials":"Epopulate"}{"sequoyah-county-times":"Sequoyah County Times"}
4 tornadoes confirmed in Sequoyah County
A: Main, Main, News
4 tornadoes confirmed in Sequoyah County
June 10, 2025
The National Weather Service confirmed that at least three EF1 tornadoes struck Sequoyah County on Friday, with one beginning at Vian, another just east of Sallisaw and a third went north of Roland in...
this is a test{"epopulate_editorials":"Epopulate"}{"sequoyah-county-times":"Sequoyah County Times"}
ATU-Ozark Campus spring 2025 Chancellor’s List, Honor Roll
News, School News
ATU-Ozark Campus spring 2025 Chancellor’s List, Honor Roll
June 10, 2025
Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus has announced its Chancellor’s List and Honor Roll for the spring 2025 semester. The ATU-Ozark Campus Chancellor’s List recognizes students who complete a semeste...
this is a test{"epopulate_editorials":"Epopulate"}{"sequoyah-county-times":"Sequoyah County Times"}
Facebook

SEQUOYAH COUNTY TIMES
111 N. Oak
Sallisaw OK
74955

918.775.4433

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 Sequoyah County Times

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy