Senate Democrats urge rejection of OSDE social studies standards before clock runs out

OKLAHOMA CITY – With a May 1 deadline for rejecting Superintendent Ryan Walters’ social studies standards quickly approaching, members of the Senate Democratic Caucus issued the following statements on Monday.

“The social studies standards Superintendent Walters has pushed through place politics over our children. The Legislature must act in the next few days to ensure we are putting our students, teachers, schools and families first.”– Senate Democratic Leader Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City. 

“Republican leadership has said they will not hear our joint resolution rejecting these standards, even as Governor Stitt’s newest appointments to the State Board of Education have asked that we send the standards back to them for another vote. We are repeating our urgent call for action before it’s too late to stop these standards from going into effect, undermining our children’s educational opportunities.” – Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City.

“Superintendent Walters abandoned the process Oklahoma has utilized for decades that enlists educators and community leaders to accurately update what all children need to learn about history and social studies. What the superintendent is doing with his revamped social studies propaganda will undermine the quality of education in Oklahoma. The indoctrination and miseducation of students should have been rejected by the Legislature.” – Sen. Regina Goodwin, D-Tulsa.

“We’ve heard overwhelmingly from parents and educators that they want these standards sent back to the State Board of Education. Recent polling shows Superintendent Walters only has 17 percent support among Oklahomans. It’s time legislative leaders quit worrying about that 17 percent and focus on our students, educators and families. We should hear the joint resolution and let every member of the Legislature go on the record as supporting Oklahoma teachers and students, or Walters.” – Sen. Mark Mann, 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
Sen. Regina Goodwin at 405-521-5598 or Regina.Goodwin@oksenate.gov
Sen. Mark Mann at 405-590-4471 or Mark.Mann@oksenate.gov