Democrats reject new social studies standards

Approval of academic standards was historically a pretty boring, non-controversial process. Not this year.

House and Senate Democrats this week moved to reject the social studies standards put forth by Superintendent Ryan Walters’ administration. The proposed standards include more than 40 references to the Bible and Christianity and a quiet, last-minute addition requiring students to identify discrepancies in the 2020 presidential election.

Democrats didn’t point to specific standards but said their main concern is how the process of developing the standards has been undermined. Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa, said the Legislature should reject the standards and send it back to the Board of Education for revision.

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

The Republican supermajority would have to join the Democrats to reject the standards.

Walters on March 31 met with House Republicans in a closed door meeting to discuss the social studies standards.

The Legislature has 30 legislative days from receipt of the standards to approve, amend or reject. That lands on May 1, according to legislative staff.

If lawmakers take no action, the standards automatically take effect as written. If lawmakers reject, the current standards remain in place until a new version is approved.

Oklahoma Watch (OklahomaWatch.org) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that covers public-policy issues facing the state.