Educational Crisis: Bible Mandates and the Real Issues in Oklahoma Schools
Oklahoma’s education system is facing a crisis. Ranked 49th in education, 45th in health, and 40th in family and community, our state is already struggling to provide a solid foundation for our children’s future. Yet, instead of focusing on improving these critical areas, State Superintendent Ryan Walters is pushing an agenda that violates the principle of religious freedom and the separation of church and state by demanding that every classroom has a Bible and that teachers should teach the Bible. This directive not only undermines the already overburdened education system but also infringes on the rights of students and parents.
Work on Teacher Retention
Since the pandemic, the teacher turnover rate in Oklahoma has reached an all-time high, with over 6,000 public school teachers leaving the profession and nearly 5,000 emergency certified teachers. This exodus has resulted in larger class sizes and increased workloads for the remaining teachers tasked with picking up the slack.
Despite these challenges, Ryan Walters threatens to revoke the certification of teachers who do not comply with his mandate to teach the Bible. This threat further exacerbates the teacher shortage and diverts precious classroom time from essential subjects like reading and math, where our students are already lagging.
Stop Book-Banning
Ryan Walters’ crusade against so-called “pornographic” materials in schools is hypocritical. He justified banning books like The Kite Runner based on its religious viewpoints and explicit content. Yet, he now advocates teaching the Bible, a text that contains graphic depictions of sex and violence. By his standards, the Bible should be banned from classrooms, yet he insists it be taught. This double standard is unjust and undermines his credibility and the integrity of our education system.
Protect Students from Religious Indoctrination
Ryan Walters claims that Oklahoma ranks so low in education because of “indoctrination” rather than education. However, mandating the teaching of the Bible in public schools is a clear form of indoctrination. Forcing a particular religious text into the curriculum disregards the rich diversity of religious and non-religious beliefs among students and their families. It infringes on parental rights to decide the religious education of their children and violates the principles of religious freedom and separation of church and state.
Adhere to HB 1775
Forcing teachers to teach the Bible also violates Oklahoma’s House Bill 1775, which “prohibits the teaching of any curriculum that causes psychological distress on account of race or sex.” The Bible has been used throughout history to justify oppression, including slavery and the subjugation of women. It contains verses that support slavery (Leviticus 25:44-46), the subordination of women (1 Timothy 2:12), and polygamy (Genesis 32:22). Mandating the teaching of such a text in public schools could cause discomfort and distress for many students, directly contradicting the provisions of HB 1775. This includes students of other religious beliefs, including varying Christian beliefs, agnostics and atheists.
Study All World Religions
If the Bible is included in the curriculum, why not other religious texts? The Bhagavad Gita, the Quran, the Torah and other spiritual writings have all profoundly influenced history and culture. Including only the Bible and excluding these other texts denies students the principle of religious equality. Our public schools should be a place for inclusive education, not a battleground for religious favoritism or superiority.
Teach Religion Within Families
Our politicians are supposed to work for us. We must hold them accountable for their actions and policies that affect our children’s education. If parents want their students to learn about the Bible, there are plenty of alternatives and opportunities such as home study, churches or religious private schools that taxpayers already fund. Public schools should focus on providing a well-rounded education that includes core subjects as well as the arts.
State-Sponsored Religion Hurts Everyone
Teaching the Bible in public schools undermines the quality and inclusivity of education that our public school system should provide and diverts attention and resources from teachers and students.
A Parental Rights Call to Action
It’s time to stop playing with our children’s education. We need to address the real issues plaguing our education system, such as the teacher shortage, low pay, and poor academic performance in reading and math. Ryan Walters’ mandate to teach the Bible in public schools is a distraction from these critical problems and an infringement on religious freedom and parental rights. We must hold our elected officials accountable and demand that they prioritize the needs of our students and teachers over personal and political agendas.
Our children deserve better, and our responsibility is to ensure they receive an education that equips them with a successful and inclusive future. Let’s unite as a community to advocate for policies that benefit our children’s education. Contact your local representatives and demand that they oppose any measures that violate the separation of church and state. Attend school board meetings and voice your concerns. Support initiatives that improve teacher pay, reduce class sizes and enhance educational resources. Together, we can create a better future for our children that respects their diversity and focuses on providing them with the best possible education.
Can State Superintendent Ryan Walters Mandate a Bible Curriculum?
- Oklahoma state law says individual school districts have the exclusive authority to decide on instruction, curriculum, reading lists, instructional materials and textbooks.
- The Oklahoma State Constitution states: Section II-5: Public money or property – Use for sectarian purposes. No public money or property shall ever be appropriated, applied, donated, or used, directly or indirectly, for the use, benefit, or support of any sect, church, denomination, or system of religion, or for the use, benefit, or support of any priest, preacher, minister, or other religious teacher or dignitary, or sectarian institution as such.
Disclaimer: Dr. Tamecca Rogers, Director of Student Access and Success, expresses these personal views as a parent with a child in the Public School system. These opinions are her own and do not represent the position of Tulsa Tech.
Dr. Tamecca Rogers serves as Director of Student Access and Success at Tulsa Technology Center. An award-winning author and filmmaker, she is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in all her endeavors. Photo by Denice Toombs-Dotson with Lasting Impressions Photography.
