Bible's historical significance and influence on American culture emphasized, not taught as religious text.
Directive aligns with educational standards approved in May 2019.
Oklahoma schools mandated to incorporate Bible and Ten Commandments into curriculum for students in grades 5-10.
In a recent development, Oklahoma schools have been mandated to incorporate the Bible and the Ten Commandments into their curricula for students in grades 5-10. This requirement was announced by Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters on June 28, 2024. According to Walters, this directive aligns with educational standards approved in May 2019 and is intended to provide historical context.
The Bible has a rich history in American education, having been present since before the origins of public schools. The influence of the Bible on American history and culture is significant, particularly when it comes to understanding the country's founding documents such as the Declaration of Independence and its preamble.
However, this mandate has sparked controversy due to concerns about potential violations of church-state separation. Oklahoma law states that individual school districts have exclusive authority to determine curriculum, and some argue that Walters does not have the legal authority to issue such a directive.
Despite these concerns, Walters remains steadfast in his belief that the Bible's inclusion in classrooms is essential for students to gain a comprehensive understanding of Western civilization and its historical context. The implementation of this mandate is currently being challenged in court by various groups who believe it may violate the Establishment Clause.
It's important to note that while the Bible will be incorporated into lessons, it is not required to be taught as a religious text. Instead, its historical significance and influence on American culture and society will be emphasized.
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 informing superintendents across the state that their districts are required to incorporate the Bible into lessons.
Oklahoma is the first state to require the Bible be used in all classrooms, effective immediately.
Accuracy
The new curriculum will go into effect for the 2024-25 school year.
Oklahoma's top education official, Republican State Superintendent Ryan Walters, ordered public schools to immediately begin incorporating the Bible into lesson plans for students in grades 5 through 12.
Walters said that the Bible is a cornerstone of Western civilization and its use in classrooms is mandatory.
It's unclear whether Walters has the authority to mandate the Bible’s use in classrooms, as Oklahoma state law states that individual school districts have exclusive authority to determine curriculum.
The order is likely to be challenged in court by First Amendment groups who believe it may violate the Establishment Clause that prohibits government from ‘establishing’ a religion.
Civil rights groups and those dedicated to the separation of church and state are outraged by Walters’ order.
Accuracy
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.
Deception
(50%)
The article reports on Oklahoma's top education official ordering the Bible to be incorporated into lesson plans for students in grades 5 through 12. The author quotes various individuals expressing their opinions on the matter, including civil rights groups and legal experts. While not making any editorializing statements themselves, they do report on others doing so. However, there is selective reporting of information as the article focuses solely on the controversy surrounding Walters' order and does not provide any context or counterarguments for those in favor of it.
Can the superintendent require biblical instruction? Walters said Thursday Oklahoma state law and academic standards are 'crystal clear' that the Bible can be used to instruct students in public schools.
Oklahoma's top education official outraged civil rights groups and others when he ordered public schools to immediately begin incorporating the Bible into lesson plans for students in grades 5 through 12.
Oklahoma state superintendent Ryan Walters announced a mandate to require the Bible in classrooms at the May 2024 State Board of Education meeting.
The mandate applies to every classroom where the social studies and English language arts standards are applicable.
The Bible is to be incorporated as an instructional support, not required to be taught.
According to a memo obtained by StateImpact, Oklahoma schools are required to incorporate the Bible as an instructional support into the curriculum across specified grade levels (grades 5 through 12).
Oklahoma law already explicitly allows Bibles in the classroom and enables teachers to use them in instruction.
Adherence to the mandate is compulsory, and immediate and strict compliance is expected.
Accuracy
Oklahoma schools are required to incorporate the Bible as an instructional support into the curriculum across specified grade levels (grades 5 through 12).
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.
Deception
(30%)
The article reports on a mandate by Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters to require the Bible in classrooms. The author, Beth Wallis, quotes Walters stating that 'every classroom where the standards are applicable' will have to incorporate the Bible as an instructional support. However, she later reports that according to the Oklahoma attorney general's office, it does not read Walters' mandate as requiring the Bible to be taught. The article also states that adherence to the mandate is compulsory and immediate compliance is expected. This creates a sense of urgency and potential for deception, as it may give the impression that teachers are being forced to teach religious doctrine in violation of the separation of church and state. Additionally, there is selective reporting as some details about existing laws allowing Bibles in classrooms are not mentioned until later in the article.
Adherence to the mandate is compulsory, and immediate and strict compliance is expected.
As further guidance was issued in a memo letter to Oklahoma schools and reporters asked questions after the meeting, the reach of the mandate appeared to whittle down. And according to the Oklahoma attorney general’s office, it does not read Walters’ mandate as requiring the Bible to be taught.
Oklahoma schools are required to incorporate the Bible and the Ten Commandments in their curriculums, effective immediately.
Every classroom from grades 5 through 12 in Oklahoma must have a Bible and teachers must teach from it.
This comes after the Oklahoma Supreme Court blocked the establishment of a publicly funded religious charter school, St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
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Deception
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The author makes editorializing statements by expressing his opinion that the Bible is a necessary historical document and that students are unable to properly contextualize the foundation of their country without it. He also uses emotional manipulation by implying that those who disagree with him are rejecting 'core values' and 'dangerous, intimidating efforts to force a Christian nationalist agenda into our schools'. The article selectively reports details by only mentioning the positive aspects of the new policy and ignoring potential negative consequences or opposing viewpoints.
What the court did was rule against the parents of Oklahoma who have demanded more choices for their kids.
This is blatant religious coercion that should have absolutely no place in public schools – in Oklahoma or any other state.
It's crystal clear to us that in the Oklahoma academic standards under Title 70 on multiple occasions, the Bible is a necessary historical document to teach our kids about the history of this country, to have a complete understanding of Western civilization, to have an understanding of the basis of our legal system.
