Oklahoma Department of Education Withdraws 2024 Bible Directive
The Oklahoma Department of Education has officially rescinded a 2024 directive that required Bibles in every public school classroom, marking a significant policy reversal following the resignation of former State Superintendent Ryan Walters. The move comes after the Oklahoma Supreme Court halted the enforcement of the directive amid ongoing legal challenges.
Background: Directive Created by Former Superintendent
The original requirement, established in 2024, mandated that Bibles be present in all public school classrooms across the state. The directive was spearheaded by Ryan Walters, who served as Oklahoma’s State Superintendent of Public Instruction until his resignation last month. The policy quickly became the subject of legal scrutiny and was paused by the state’s highest court.
New Leadership Signals Change
With the appointment of Lindel Fields as the new State Superintendent, the Department of Education has shifted its stance. In a statement to the court, Fields said, “We plan to file a motion to dismiss, and have no plans to distribute Bibles or a Biblical character education curriculum in classrooms.” This declaration signals a clear departure from the previous administration’s approach and indicates the state’s intention to end the legal battle over the directive.
The Oklahoma Supreme Court had previously intervened to halt the implementation of the Bible requirement, responding to lawsuits that challenged the directive’s constitutionality. The court’s action effectively suspended the policy while legal arguments continued. Fields’ recent statement to the court further solidifies the Department’s decision not to pursue the directive, paving the way for the case’s dismissal.
The rescinding of the Bible requirement means that Oklahoma public schools will not be obligated to include Bibles or related religious curricula in their classrooms. The Department’s new position aligns with the court’s concerns and addresses the legal challenges brought by advocacy groups and concerned citizens.
For more details, read the original Reuters article: https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/oklahoma-abandons-requirement-bibles-every-classroom-2025-10-16/
