US EditionState Supreme Court Permanently Blocks Social Studies Standards
The court permanently nullified the 2025 standards due to last-minute changes promoting Christianity and disputed claims, restoring 2019 standards until new ones are developed.
- On Tuesday, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled the State Board of Education violated the Open Meeting Act by approving the 2025 social studies standards without proper notice.
- Board records show last‑minute edits and limited notice, as meeting materials arrived only 17 hours before the vote and agenda updates violated the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act’s 24 hours notice rule.
- The Supreme Court ruled 5‑4 in favor of the plaintiffs in Rev. Dr. Mitch Randal v. Lindel Fields, with attorneys from Americans United and Oklahoma Appleseed arguing the standards violated open meetings laws.
- Teachers will keep using the 2019 social studies standards while the Oklahoma Department of Education respects the ruling and new State Superintendent Lindel Fields' team plans to rewrite the standards.
- The court's decision highlights concerns that the standards favored one religion and included disputed claims, as earlier this year experts from national social studies and history education organizations warned about accuracy and legal advocates hailed the ruling as a victory for transparency and constitutional rights.
14 Articles
14 Articles
State Supreme Court permanently blocks social studies standards
State lawmakers say the legal fight over former State Superintendent Ryan Walters’ controversial social studies standards should never have reached the Oklahoma Supreme Court, arguing legislative leaders failed to act even after concerns surfaced across party lines.
Oklahoma Supreme Court rules state board violated law on social studies standards
The Oklahoma Supreme Court has determined that the state Board of Education breached the Open Meeting Act when approving new social studies standards, requiring the Oklahoma Department of Education to draft new standards.
Reporter.net
Oklahoma Supreme Court permanently overturns social studies standards
OKLAHOMA CITY — Controversial academic standards for social studies are unenforceable because Oklahoma’s top school board violated state open meeting laws when approving them, the state Supreme Court decided Tuesday.
After court ruling, OSBE ready to 'regain public trust' on social ...
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
