House, Senate Democrats file resolutions on OSDE social studies standards

Leaders of the House and Senate Democratic Caucuses issued the following statements on Monday after filing two measures, House Joint Resolution 1030 and Senate Joint Resolution 19, disapproving the new social studies standards approved and submitted by the State Board of Education.

“Since 2023, House Democrats have made six different calls to reign in the State Superintendent, and we have yet to see any real accountability from the State Superintendent or OSDE. While I am encouraged by the new Stitt-appointed OSDE board members to hold the superintendent and department accountable, these new standards are concerning when thinking about the future of public education in Oklahoma. They are not available for public comment and any input from the legislature and education experts has been ignored. By prioritizing the injection of politics and religion into our public school classrooms, the State Superintendent continues to be emboldened to put his political agenda over the needs of our teachers, students, and families." – House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City

“Oklahoma teachers feel uncertain about the future because the department designed to work with them has left them behind, and efforts to hold the department accountable by the new board members have not been heard. I disapprove these social studies standards because they disregard the interests, advice, and needs of public schools in Oklahoma. The best approach here is to reject the standards and send them back for further review from the State School Board. OSDE needs to heed the advice of experts, not political groups. Our students deserve correct, objective course material to fully prepare and equip them for the future. Oklahomans need a department of education dedicated to doing right by them.” – Assistant House Democratic Leader Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa.

“Every child deserves a great education, and that means we must be focused on one thing – getting teachers and schools the resources they need to educate every child. Superintendent Ryan Walters is putting politics over kids, and that undermines the quality education our children should get. The Legislature has the power to reject the social studies standards, but we have a short timeline to do that. This is about putting people over politics.” – Senate Democratic Leader Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City. 

"Oklahoma has a clear, time-tested process for updating academic standards – one that relies on educators and parents to ensure students receive a high-quality education. Instead of respecting that process, the state superintendent has disregarded their work, bringing in national partisan groups to rewrite our social studies standards. This political interference undermines the integrity of our education system and silences the voices of those who know our students best. We must reject this proposal and stand by the educators and families who have long shaped our state’s curriculum." – Assistant Senate Democratic Leader Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City.  

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For more information, contact: 
Sen. Julia Kirt at 405-521-5636 or Julia.Kirt@oksenate.gov
Sen. Carri Hicks at 405-521-5543 or Carri.Hicks@oksenate.gov