Latest news with #OklahomaAcademicStandards
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Fact Check: Oklahoma will teach high school students debunked 2020 election-fraud theories as fact
Claim: Oklahoma instituted updated academic standards in 2025 requiring schools to teach high school students that widespread fraud impacted the outcome of the 2020 U.S. presidential election. Rating: In late April and early May 2025, a rumor spread online that Oklahoma would soon require schools to teach students that widespread voter fraud occurred during the 2020 presidential election, echoing baseless conspiracy theories promoted by U.S. President Donald Trump to explain why he lost that election to former President Joe Biden. "Next school year, thousands of high school students in Oklahoma will be required to learn about Trump's debunked claims that the 2020 election was tainted by fraud," said one X post by independent reporter Judd Legum. "The lesson will not be part of a course on conspiracy theories, but an official component of the new social studies curriculum." Similar claims spread on platforms like Facebook, Reddit and Bluesky; many posts alleged the state's Department of Education head, Republican Superintendent Ryan Walters, was responsible for the new curriculum requirements. Oklahoma's new social studies standards for high school students, which take effect in the 2025-2026 school year, do, in fact, require students to learn about so-called "discrepancies" in the 2020 election. The updated guidelines list examples for these discrepancies, all of which are theories not based in evidence — and many of which Snopes has independently debunked. Thus, we rate this claim true. Walters did not immediately return a request for comment left for the agency's spokesperson. In an April 29 statement on X, Walters called the new benchmarks a "major victory" for the state. "The most unapologetically conservative, pro-America social studies standards in the nation are moving forward," Walters' post said. "These reforms will reset our classrooms back to educating our children without liberal indoctrination." Oklahoma's 2025 social studies standards are available here. See Page 118 for the academic benchmarks outlined under "United States History" for 9th through 12th grade, which clearly require students to study debunked claims of election fraud, but with the perspective that these theories are legitimate, rather than misinformation. Here is the relevant language from the document: Identify discrepancies in 2020 elections results by looking at graphs and other information, including the sudden halting of ballot-counting in select cities in key battleground states, the security risks of mail-in balloting, sudden batch dumps, an unforeseen record number of voters, and the unprecedented contradiction of "bellwether county" trends. Oklahoma's new academic benchmarks are available for download on the Oklahoma State Board of Education's webpage under the "Handouts" section for the Feb. 27, 2025, meeting in a document titled "22725 Final SS OAS 2-27" (which presumably stands for "Feb. 27, 2025, Final Social Studies Oklahoma Academic Standards Feb. 27"). Snopes has repeatedly debunked many of these supposed 2020 election "discrepancies" listed in Oklahoma's new learning targets, including supposed mail-in ballot security issues and the idea that "sudden batch dumps" of voting ballots or an "unforeseen record number of voters" indicates fraud. We have also previously explained that delayed ballot counting doesn't mean voter fraud is happening. Peer-reviewed research published in the National Academy of Sciences' journal shows that trends for so-called "bellwether counties" — areas in the United States which often choose the winning presidential candidate — were not unusual during the 2020 election. In Oklahoma, the state Department of Education releases proposed updated social studies standards every six years, which the Oklahoma State Board of Education and the Oklahoma Legislature are, in theory, supposed to approve in order for them to go into effect. But if the Legislature takes no action, then the draft rules will go into effect by default 30 days after they are proposed, per state law on academic standards and their review: If the Legislature fails to adopt a joint resolution within thirty (30) legislative days following submission of the standards, the standards shall be deemed approved. That is what happened in this case: Oklahoma's Republican-controlled Legislature did not take action by the May 1 deadline, allowing the new language to go into effect. Attempts by both Democratic and Republican lawmakers to block Walters' effort failed to pass. Initial draft language available for public comment differs; that document, dated Dec. 14, 2024, and available on the official Oklahoma State Department of Education website, simply directs students to "examine issues related to the election of 2020 and its outcome" (see Page 118 here). According to Oklahoma Voice, a news outlet focused on the state's government, several State Board of Education officials said they were unaware of last-minute changes in the document when they voted, including the added 2020 election-fraud language. The new learning targets also call for teaching the controversial theory that COVID-19 began in a Chinese laboratory as undisputed fact, as well as describing the "challenges and accomplishments" of Biden's administration (see Page 118.) " Bill Information for HJR 1030 ." Accessed 5 May 2025. " Bill Information for SJR 20 ." Accessed 5 May 2025. "2024 Oklahoma Statutes :: Title 70. Schools :: §70-11-103.6a-1. Legislative Review of Standards – Final Approval." Justia Law, Accessed 5 May 2025. Echter, Brandon. "The 2020 Election Collection: Mail-in Voting." Snopes, 25 Sept. 2020, Accessed 5 May 2025. Eggers, Andrew C., et al. "No Evidence for Systematic Voter Fraud: A Guide to Statistical Claims about the 2020 Election." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 118, no. 45, Nov. 2021, Izzo, Jack. "There's Still No Evidence of Systematic Voter Fraud in the 2020 Election." Snopes, 27 June 2024, Accessed 5 May 2025. Mikkelson, David. "Debunking Trump Tweets: Biden's 143K Vote 'Dump' in Wisconsin." Snopes, 18 Nov. 2020, Accessed 5 May 2025. ---. "Debunking Trump Tweets: Popular Vote Totals Indicative of 'Rigged Election'?" Snopes, 16 Dec. 2020, Accessed 5 May 2025. "New Standards Review and Revision Process." Oklahoma State Department of Education (265), Accessed 5 May 2025. Nuria Martinez-Keel. "Oklahoma Board Members Say They Had 'No Idea' of Changes to Social Studies Standards before Vote • Oklahoma Voice." Oklahoma Voice, States Newsroom, 24 Apr. 2025, Accessed 5 May 2025. Oklahoma State Department of Education. "OAS-SS Public Comment - Google Drive." Google Drive, Dec. 2024, Accessed 5 May 2025. ---. "Oklahoma Academic Standards SOCIAL STUDIES." 27 Feb. 2025, Accessed 5 May 2025. Rascouët-Paz, Anna. "Delayed Vote Totals Don't Mean Voter Fraud Is Happening." Snopes, 29 Oct. 2024, Accessed 5 May 2025. "Senate Democrats Urge Rejection of OSDE Social Studies Standards before Clock Runs out | Oklahoma Senate." 21 Apr. 2025, Accessed 5 May 2025. "State Board of Education." Oklahoma State Department of Education (265), Accessed 5 May 2025. Walters, Ryan. "Today Is a Major Victory for Oklahoma Families and for the Truth. After Months of Democrats and the Teachers Unions Lying and Attacking, the Most Unapologetically Conservative, Pro-America Social Studies Standards in the Nation Are Moving Forward. For Nearly a Year, We Engaged in a Thoughtful, Transparent Process to Deliver Standards That Teach Students Factual History, Including the Realities of the 2020 Election, the COVID-19 Pandemic, and the Threat Posed by Communist China. These Reforms Will Reset Our Classrooms back to Educating Our Children without Liberal Indoctrination. As Part of These Standards, the Bible Will Now Be Recognized as a Foundational Text, Helping Students Understand Its Undeniable Influence on Our Nation's History and Values. We're Proud to Defend These Standards, and We Will Continue to Stand up for Honest, Pr…." X (Formerly Twitter), 29 Apr. 2025, Accessed 5 May 2025.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Most comments submitted opposed to OSBE Social Studies standards
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – News 4 received the public comments submitted regarding the new Oklahoma State Board of Education social studies standards, and only one comment was in support of them. As first reported by Non-Doc, changes were made to the social studies standards after the board approved them which now directs teachers and students toward debunked theories of voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election. Non-Doc found that revisions were made following a December and January public comment period that received no acknowledgment or discussion at the Feb. 27 OSBE meeting. Controversial Oklahoma Academic Standards head to legislators The newly appointed, by Governor Stitt, board members asked at that meeting if they could see those comments but then approved the standards anyway. The standards leaned heavily into Christianity which received a lot of pushback. However, for some reason, only ten comments were submitted by email during the public comment period. Of those ten, only one supported the standards before the recent changes. It's important to note that the board members said during the last OSBE meeting that they hadn't gotten a chance to see the public comments. But they voted to approve the standards anyway. One commenter opposed said, 'I want to voice my thoughts about the new rules Mr. Walters is wanting to impose on our children. I object to the requirement of teaching anything related to any religion, including Christianity in public school. I don't want my grandchildren, who live with me, taught Bible verses in their Social Studies or History classes. These children get their religious education from church, not public school.' Another commenter who was opposed said, 'I am a practicing Christian whose child attends an Edmond public high school. I question the coherency of some of the new social studies standards, including, for example, comparing Christian charity (a religious virtue) against communism (a political theory). That discordance is the natural result of trying to fit a square peg (theology) into a round hole (history). Or as Jesus said, 'render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's.' Mark 12:17 and Matthew 22:21.' Reverend Daniel Ross of the Christ Lutheran Church in Mustang was another public commenter who News 4 interviewed. 'I am a conservative Christian. It's very, very open-ended and touches on church doctrine and not just how the Bible influences culture,' said Rev. Ross. 'I feel like we should let the Church teach the Christianity and keep the state out of it.' News 4 also interviewed the one public commenter who was in support of the standards, Wade Burleson of Istoria Ministries. He said that Biblical morality should be taught in the classrooms. 'I am all for them,' said Burleson. 'You're not teaching them religion, you're teaching them what our founding fathers called Natural Law.' But can't you teach that without using the Bible? You did that just now with me and without referencing any verses. 'Okay, great point. I'm saying as we began as a country, the Bible was everything,' said Burleson. Reverend Ross in his public comment he submitted brought up his concerns around potential court costs that could come if the standards are approved. 'And those would come back on the taxpayer,' said Rev. Ross. One point that Burleson brought up, is that he said liberal activists have been the ones fighting against putting the religious-leaning standards into schools. 'It's those liberal activists who want to use judges and the courts to overturn the rule of law. The day of reckoning is coming,' said Burleson. Stitt-appointed OSBE members clash with Supt. Walters However, many of the public comments submitted for the standards who were opposed said that they were Christians. Rev. Ross stated that he is even a Christian Conservative. Another person opposed, who submitted a comment, wrote, 'I am writing this as a concerned teacher and citizen of Oklahoma. I have already made my comments on the form provided by the state regarding the proposed social studies standards, but I will reiterate them here: Implementing the Bible in coursework is a grave mistake. This book does not hold historical accuracy. There are FAR too many versions of it for the information to remain consistent. Teaching history from a Biblical perspective is harmful and dangerous, as this can be a tool of indoctrination. Additionally, the multiple mention of standards excusing historical crimes and actions is equally abhorrent. Including the 'context' and 'situation' of that time period to excuse bigotry and violence is absolutely ridiculous.' The standards with the latest additions are in the hands of lawmakers who have around a week to act on them. Senate Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton was asked by Non-Doc reporter Tres Savage at a media availability last week if he thought the 2020 Presidential election was valid and the results were legitimate. 'He (former President Biden) became president for four years so I guess it was legitimate enough for him to be put into office,' responded Senate Pro Tem Paxton. If the standards are approved they will be in place for the next six years. News 4 reached out to OSDE to find out if all of the board members have had a chance to look at the public comments since they voted to approve. OSDE had no comment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
House lawmakers reject communism education bill, advance new scholarship requirements
Members of an Oklahoma House subcommittee voted down a bill that would require schools to teach about the human cost of communist regimes but advanced multiple bills affecting scholarship eligibility. (Photo by Janelle Stecklein/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY — As Oklahoma lawmakers consider how to best prepare students and regulate schools, a House panel approved new pre-college testing requirements and struck down a bill that would have required teaching of the 'atrocities of communism.' After a 6-4 vote, House Bill 1094 was the only bill to fail on Monday before a House subcommittee focused on education funding. Rep. Gabe Woolley, R-Broken Arrow, said he wrote the bill to ensure middle and high schools don't skip lessons about the human cost of communist regimes. Rep. Dick Lowe, R-Amber, pointed out these chapters of history are included in the Oklahoma Academic Standards for social studies, which dictate which topics schools must teach. The Legislature approves those standards, and he said lawmakers typically don't select individual topics to require through statute. 'I don't think there's a person on this committee that doesn't agree this is something that we need to cover,' Lowe said. '… I think it's very, very dangerous to start setting this precedent. We'll be doing nothing but that on every standard throughout the whole school system every year if we start doing that.' Lowe's HB 1087 earned unanimous support Monday. The bill would add 10 steps to the salary schedule for public school teachers. If it passes, teachers' mandatory annual pay raises would continue for up to 35 years while working in public schools instead of stopping at 25 years. It advances to the full House Appropriations and Budget Committee for further consideration. A proposal to set a universal minimum ACT score for the Oklahoma's Promise Scholarship also passed through the subcommittee. The state requires a minimum ACT score of 22 only for students who are homeschooled or who attend a school that isn't accredited by the Oklahoma State Board of Education. Students graduating from public K-12 schools or a state-accredited private school don't have to make a specific ACT score to qualify for the scholarship. Rep. Rick West, R-Heavener, called this 'discriminatory' for homeschool families and proposed HB 1184 to 'make it even for everybody.' The bill passed 7-2. After lengthy questioning from Republican and Democratic members, the panel also advanced HB 1096 after a 7-3 vote. The legislation came from the subcommittee's vice chair, Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, R-Elgin, and would allow students to qualify for state-funded scholarships with a Classic Learning Test score. The CLT is a lesser-known alternative to the ACT and SAT and is accepted in Oklahoma at only six small private universities. Hasenbeck said the state should accommodate students who prefer the CLT as their college entrance exam by allowing them to use their scores when applying for scholarships from Oklahoma's Promise and the State Regents for Higher Education Academic Scholars Program. Rep. John Waldron, D-Tulsa, said he took the exam and questioned whether it upholds the state's emphasis on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). 'I had a good Catholic education that helped me answer the questions about Thomas Aquinas and (Pope) John Paul II,' Waldron said during the subcommittee meeting. 'But I did find that it was light on math questions. And given that we have an agenda about STEM education in Oklahoma, are we giving students an opt-out from exam systems that would require a higher level of the skills we're trying to encourage for the future of our workforce?' Hasenbeck's bill also would create a new Academic Performance Index to grade public schools' rates of student attendance, dropouts, graduation, college remediation and Advanced Placement class participation, as well as their state test results. The index would create another level of evaluation on top of the existing A-F report cards that grade school performance. 'We need to look to groups who are excelling at teaching students reading and math,' Hasenbeck told the subcommittee. 'We need to look at their model, and we need to repeat that.' The panel unanimously passed a bill from its chairperson, Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid, that would create a new full-tuition scholarship for top-performing Oklahoma students who stay in-state for college. Students would qualify if they score in the top 0.5% of the nation on a college entrance exam like the ACT or SAT. The bill doesn't specifically mention the CLT. The scholarship would offer the full amount of resident tuition if the qualifying student attends a public or private university in Oklahoma. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
