Oklahoma high school students will soon learn about the 2020 presidential election’s conspiracy theories alongside traditional topics such as the Industrial Revolution and women’s suffrage. This shift comes as part of new social studies standards revised under state School Superintendent Ryan Walters, who has emphasized a return to “actual understanding” of history amid allegations of left-wing indoctrination in classrooms.
The prior standard merely suggested students examine the 2020 election, but the new directive mandates identifying “discrepancies” in election results, potentially steering discussions towards controversial narratives. This change raised concerns even among some Republican leaders, who were alarmed by last-minute adjustments, including language attributing the origin of COVID-19 to a Chinese lab.
A group of parents and educators filed a lawsuit to reject the new standards, claiming they promote a biased perspective. While some teachers express outrage, others believe there’s room for effective teaching despite the modifications. Concerns have been voiced particularly about teachers in rural areas possibly injecting personal beliefs into their lessons.
In response to GOP resistance to these standards, pro-Trump organizations such as Moms for Liberty mobilized support, threatening primary challenges for lawmakers who opposed the changes. The standards were developed with significant input from conservative figures and organizations, prioritizing themes of American exceptionalism and biblical references in education.
Critics argue that these revised standards mislead students about historical facts, particularly regarding the 2020 election. Education experts worry that the new standards undermine Oklahoma’s previously strong social studies curriculum, marking a troubling trend toward politicization in educational content.
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