DOCUMENT TODAY. RYAN WALTHER SAYS HE WANTS TO INCLUDE THE BIBLE IN NEARLY EVERY SUBJECT. THAT MEANS HISTORY, LITERATURE AND THE ARTS. THESE ARE THE GUIDELINES RELEASED WEDNESDAY BY THE OKLAHOMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. THE SECOND SENTENCE STATES THAT, QUOTE, IMMEDIATE AND COMPLETE IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE GUIDELINES FOR THE 2024 TO 2025 SCHOOL YEAR IS REQUIRED TO TEACH THE FACTS. WE’RE NOT ASKING TEACHERS TO COME IN AND AND PREACH FROM THE BIBLE. WE’RE SAYING, LOOK, HISTORICALLY, IF THOMAS JEFFERSON REFERENCES AS HE DOES IN THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, THAT THERE’S RIGHTS THAT COME FROM YOUR CREATOR, WELL, WHAT DID WHAT DID HE MEAN BY THAT? THE GUIDELINES SAY THE BIBLE NEEDS TO BE DISCUSSED WHEN TEACHING WESTERN CIVILIZATION AND HISTORICAL EVENTS THAT FEATURED THE BIBLE OR ITS TEXT. IT ALSO SAYS TEACHERS HAVE TO DISCUSS THE BIBLE’S INFLUENCE ON CLASSIC AND CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE. IN OUR CLASS, TEACHERS ARE REQUIRED TO TEACH ABOUT ARTWORK THAT DEPICTS BIBLICAL SCENES OR THEMES YOU WANT IT TO BE READY IN PLACE BY THIS SCHOOL YEAR SEEMS LIKE A PRETTY BIG ASK. UM, HOW LONG WILL THIS TAKE TO IMPLEMENT YOU THINK? ISN’T IT A PRETTY BIG CHANGE, YOU’D SAY, FOR OKLAHOMA ACROSS THE STATE? SO LOOK, THESE ARE THE STANDARDS THAT THE TEACHERS SHOULD BE TEACHING. SO THE REALITY IS, IS WHAT WE WILL BE DOING IS MAKING SURE THAT THEY HAVE THE SOURCES THEY’RE AVAILABLE TO DO IT. WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT THEY’VE GOT THIS CLEAR GUIDANCE IN ORDER TO DO IT. THAT’S WHERE YOU SAW THIS. WE’RE GOING TO BE ROLLING OUT MORE. UM, DOCUMENTS FOR TEACHERS TO USE. DISTRICTS ARE REACTING TO THESE NEW GUIDELINES. WE’LL HAVE THAT IN OUR REPORT COMING UP LIVE AT SIX. BACK TO YOU. ALL RIGHT, ANDY, THANK YOU. AND SINCE THIS IS A DIRECTIVE STRAIGHT FROM WALTERS, UH, DOESN’T THIS INTERFERE WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT’S ABILITY TO DECIDE CURRICULUM FOR THEMSELVES? YEAH, IT’S A QUESTION WE ASKED THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT. HE SAYS THE WAY HE READS THESE STANDARDS, WHICH ARE REQUIRED TO BE FOLLOWED BY LAW, THE BIBLE DOES HAVE TO BE INCLUDED. SO HAVING THIS REQUIREMENT, DOESN’T THAT GET IN THE WAY OF LOCAL CONTROL THEN FOR THESE DISTRICTS THAT WANT TO DECIDE HOW TO TEACH? WELL, LOCAL CONTROL DOESN’T ALLOW THEM TO BREAK THE LAW. SO WHEN WE HAVE STANDARDS IN PLACE AND PART OF OUR STANDARDS ARE UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT THAT FAITH AND THE BIBLE HAD ON INDIVIDUALS THROUGHOUT HISTORY, YOU DON’T GET TO LEAVE THAT OUT JUST LIKE YOU DON’T GET TO COME IN AND GO, I DON’T LIKE ADDITION OR I DON’T LIKE MATH. AND WE DON’T TEACH THAT. AND ONCE AGAIN, WALTERS WANTS TO HAVE BIBLES IN CLASSROOMS ACROSS THE STATE. BY THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR IN AUGUST, REP
State Superintendent Ryan Walters releases guidelines for teaching Bible in Oklahoma schools
According to the guidelines, schools must provide a physical copy of the Bible as well as the US Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and the Ten Commandments as resources in every classroom
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Updated: 4:16 PM CDT Jul 24, 2024
Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters on Wednesday released guidelines for how schools should incorporate the Bible in their curriculum. | RELATED VIDEO ABOVE | State Superintendent, Ryan Walters issued memorandum to require Bibles in curriculumAccording to the guidelines, schools must provide a physical copy of the Bible as well as the U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and the Ten Commandments as resources in every classroom."Teach the facts. We’re not asking teachers to come in and preach from the Bible," Walters said. "We’re saying, 'Look, historically, if Thomas Jefferson references as he does in the Declaration that there’s rights that come from your creator, then what did he mean by that?"The Bible must be used as instructional support in recognition of existing Oklahoma Social Studies Standards, according to the guidelines. The instructional support includes areas such as historical context, literary significance, artistic and musical influence."These are the standards that the teacher should be teaching," Walters said. "So, the reality is what we will be doing is making sure they have the sources available to do it, make sure they got this clear guidance in order to do it. That’s why you saw this. We’re going to be rolling out more documents for teacher to use."Below is a look at the guidelines based on grade levels.Grade-Level Specific GuidelinesUpper Elementary (5)Narrative Elements: Discuss the elements of a story, such as plot, characters and setting, using biblical stories as examples.Historical Context: Begin introducing the historical context in which these stories were written and their impact on Western culture.Literary Devices: Identify and discuss simple literary devices such as similes, metaphors and personification within biblical texts.Music Appreciation: Introduce students to classical music pieces inspired by biblical themes, discussing the historical context and significance without focusing on religious content.Middle School (6-8)Textual Analysis: Engage students in more detailed analysis of biblical texts, focusing on language, structure and themes.Comparative Literature: Compare biblical stories with myths and legends from other cultures, examining similarities and differences.Historical Impact: Discuss the influence of the Bible and historical events and figures.Art and Music Exploration: Study famous artworks and musical compositions inspired by biblical themes, discussing their impact on culture and society while remaining mindful of all rules for grade-level and age-level appropriate material.High School (9-12)Advances Literary Analysis: Conduct in-depth analysis of complex biblical texts, examining themes, motifs and literary techniques.Historical Documents: Study primary historical documents and speeches that reference the Bible, exploring their significance and context.Ethical and Philosophical Discussions: Facilitate discussions on the ethical and philosophical ideas presented in the Bible and their influence on Western thought.Critical Essays: Assign essays that require critical thinking and analysis of the Bible's role in literature, history and culture.Art and Music Appreciation: Analyze and interpret significant artworks and musical pieces inspired by the Bible, understanding their historical and cultural relevance while remaining mindful of all rules for grade-level and age-level appropriate material.Several school districts – such as Norman, Stillwater, Jenks and Bixby – have already said they won't follow the directives. Some districts, like Oklahoma City Public Schools, wanted to wait on the guidance before making a decision."Incorporating the Bible as an instructional support into the curriculum provides an invaluable opportunity to deepen students' understanding of historical and cultural developments," the guidelines say. "These guidelines offer guidance for educators to approach this subject matter thoughtfully and inclusively, fostering an educational environment that is both informative and respectful."Click here to read the guidelines in full.Top Headlines 'Wreck a guy's livelihood': Shawnee rancher has been losing cattle rapidly and unexpectedly Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance coming to Oklahoma City Monthslong investigation leads to Oklahoma human trafficking ring arrest Police release identity shooting victim whose body was found in southeast OKC drive-thru Video shows breaching whale land on boat, throw people into ocean
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters on Wednesday released guidelines for how schools should incorporate the Bible in their curriculum.
| RELATED VIDEO ABOVE | State Superintendent, Ryan Walters issued memorandum to require Bibles in curriculum
According to the guidelines, schools must provide a physical copy of the Bible as well as the U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and the Ten Commandments as resources in every classroom.
"Teach the facts. We’re not asking teachers to come in and preach from the Bible," Walters said. "We’re saying, 'Look, historically, if Thomas Jefferson references as he does in the Declaration that there’s rights that come from your creator, then what did he mean by that?"
The Bible must be used as instructional support in recognition of existing Oklahoma Social Studies Standards, according to the guidelines. The instructional support includes areas such as historical context, literary significance, artistic and musical influence.
"These are the standards that the teacher should be teaching," Walters said. "So, the reality is what we will be doing is making sure they have the sources available to do it, make sure they got this clear guidance in order to do it. That’s why you saw this. We’re going to be rolling out more documents for teacher to use."
Below is a look at the guidelines based on grade levels.
Grade-Level Specific Guidelines
Upper Elementary (5)
- Narrative Elements: Discuss the elements of a story, such as plot, characters and setting, using biblical stories as examples.
- Historical Context: Begin introducing the historical context in which these stories were written and their impact on Western culture.
- Literary Devices: Identify and discuss simple literary devices such as similes, metaphors and personification within biblical texts.
- Music Appreciation: Introduce students to classical music pieces inspired by biblical themes, discussing the historical context and significance without focusing on religious content.
Middle School (6-8)
- Textual Analysis: Engage students in more detailed analysis of biblical texts, focusing on language, structure and themes.
- Comparative Literature: Compare biblical stories with myths and legends from other cultures, examining similarities and differences.
- Historical Impact: Discuss the influence of the Bible and historical events and figures.
- Art and Music Exploration: Study famous artworks and musical compositions inspired by biblical themes, discussing their impact on culture and society while remaining mindful of all rules for grade-level and age-level appropriate material.
High School (9-12)
- Advances Literary Analysis: Conduct in-depth analysis of complex biblical texts, examining themes, motifs and literary techniques.
- Historical Documents: Study primary historical documents and speeches that reference the Bible, exploring their significance and context.
- Ethical and Philosophical Discussions: Facilitate discussions on the ethical and philosophical ideas presented in the Bible and their influence on Western thought.
- Critical Essays: Assign essays that require critical thinking and analysis of the Bible's role in literature, history and culture.
- Art and Music Appreciation: Analyze and interpret significant artworks and musical pieces inspired by the Bible, understanding their historical and cultural relevance while remaining mindful of all rules for grade-level and age-level appropriate material.
Several school districts – such as Norman, Stillwater, Jenks and Bixby – have already said they won't follow the directives. Some districts, like Oklahoma City Public Schools, wanted to wait on the guidance before making a decision.
"Incorporating the Bible as an instructional support into the curriculum provides an invaluable opportunity to deepen students' understanding of historical and cultural developments," the guidelines say. "These guidelines offer guidance for educators to approach this subject matter thoughtfully and inclusively, fostering an educational environment that is both informative and respectful."
Click here to read the guidelines in full.
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