This year’s legislative session has marked more victories for Trey’s Law bills across the states. Similar bills, which nullify the use of nondisclosure agreements in child sex abuse, sexual assault and trafficking cases, were signed into law in Alabama (SB-30)…
She’s not a Muslim, but she’s working to defend them in Oklahoma
Going to work for the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Oklahoma was a natural fit for civil rights attorney Veronica Laizure, despite the fact she isn’t Muslim. “I consider it sort of an adoptive community to myself as a nonreligious…
Taxpayers seek to intervene in Oklahoma Jewish charter school case
A group of seven mostly Jewish taxpayers has filed a legal action opposed to the establishment of a virtual Jewish charter school in Oklahoma. Teachers, clergy and parents with children in public schools were among those to file a motion…
In Oklahoma and Tennessee, religious charter schools face barriers
A bid to launch Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School as a taxpayer-funded religious charter school in Oklahoma was rejected by the state Feb. 9. In turning down the application, some members of the Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board said they…
Oklahoma Supreme Court invalidates Bible-based standards
Oklahoma’s Bible-based K-12 social studies standards are invalid because the state Board of Education violated open meetings statutes in adopting the curriculum in February, the state Supreme Court ruled Dec. 16. The conservative court ruled 5-4 to permanently revoke the…
Oklahoma tried out a test to ‘woke-proof’ the classroom. It was short-lived, but could still leave a mark
Oklahoma has become a testing ground for reshaping public school curriculum to reflect conservative viewpoints, Make America Great Again priorities and a push for Christian nationalism in the classroom.
New Oklahoma schools chief is erasing the Walters legacy
The new superintendent of public schools in Oklahoma has formed a “turnaround team” to help restore public education in the state after the departure of Christian nationalist leader Ryan Walters. Veteran educator Lindel Fields was appointed to the position by…
Embattled Oklahoma schools chief leaving post
Ryan Walters will step down as the superintendent of Oklahoma public schools Oct. 1 to lead a conservative organization founded to oppose teachers’ unions and “the liberal, woke agenda” he claims is polluting American education and values. “For decades, union…
Now Ryan Walters wants TPUSA in every Oklahoma high school
The Oklahoma leader who wants a Trump Bible in every classroom and who commanded all students to pray for the president now wants to use the power of the state to establish Turning Point USA chapters in all 451 public…
Another lawsuit filed to stop Bible-based curriculum in Oklahoma
More than 30 religious leaders, teachers and parents filed a lawsuit July 1 to block Oklahoma’s plan to implement Scripture-based social studies standards for K-12 schools. Rev. Dr. Mitch Randall v. Ryan Walters urges the Oklahoma Supreme Court to grant…
Split Supreme Court won’t allow public funds for religious charter school
The nation’s first publicly funded religious charter school will not happen, after a tie vote by the U.S. Supreme Court May 22. Justice Amy Coney Barrett abstained in the case OKPLAC Inc. v. Statewide Virtual Charter School, leaving eight justices…
New standards for Oklahoma high school students promote misinformation about the 2020 election
Oklahoma high school students studying U.S. history learn about the Industrial Revolution, women’s suffrage and America’s expanding role in international affairs.