Oklahoma governor disapproves of social studies standards switch

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Governor Stitt voiced his disapproval on Wednesday over the Social Studies Standards switch that happened at the last school board meeting.

"There was a different standard that was sitting on the desk that they actually voted on. Well, that seems that's very, very odd," said Gov. Stitt.

As first reported by NonDoc, changes were made to the social studies standards after the board approved them, which now directs teachers and students toward debunked theories of voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election and to Old Testament Bible stories and how they influenced American colonists.

NonDoc found that revisions were made following a December and January public comment period that received no acknowledgment or discussion at the Feb. 27 OSBE meeting.

On Wednesday, new State School board member Ryan Deatherage was in the crowd at Gov. Stitt's presser. He is still asking for lawmakers to send the standards back to the board.

Democratic lawmakers have been pleading for the last few weeks for Republican lawmakers to act.

Essentially, if lawmakers don't act on them, then they will automatically go through. The last day for them to act is Monday.

"We will waste a year of my and teachers' time and students' time," said Senator Mary Boren, D-Norman. "We should not be spending taxpayer money to fund the propaganda of election deniers or teach their conspiracy theories."

Republican lawmakers hinted last week that the standards will more than likely pass. If they do go into effect, they will be the standards Oklahoma schools have for the next six years.

"So hopefully that does go through. Hopefully, politics doesn't get in the way, and the pro tem will get that done," said Gov. Stitt.

News 4 reached out to Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton's communications team to see if they plan on acting on the standards, but didn't hear back by Wednesday evening.

"The legislature will allocate millions of dollars to provide new social studies. Textbooks for our schools and local school districts will also chip in their own local funds for textbooks," said Sen. Boren.

"This is our second time calling on Republican leadership to listen to the concerns of everyday Oklahomans," said Rep. Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City.

The governor didn't answer when asked if he had urged republican lawmakers to act; he instead insisted that the standards be sent back to him.

News 4 reached out to the OSDE spokesperson to see if they had changed their minds and would listen to board members who said they want the standards back. The spokesperson did not respond.