State Supreme Court denies stay for new social studies standards

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – The Oklahoma Supreme Court has denied a stay on the new social studies standards set to take effect at the start of the 2025-2026 school year.

The latest decision was part of a lawsuit, filed July 1^st, involving 33 Oklahomans. In the lawsuit, the group claimed State Superintendent Ryan Walters, the State Department of Education, and the State Board of Education violated the Open Meetings Act. It also claimed the standards were unconstitutional by promoting religious teachings in schools and offering lessons that were not age appropriate for young students.

Part of the lawsuit included a separate request that asked the State Supreme Court to issue a stay on the standards until Justices could make a decision in the case. That would mean the standards would be paused, but the request was denied Monday.
               
Attorneys from American United for Separation of Church and State and Oklahoma Appleseed have been representing the group of Oklahomans in the suit, which includes pastors, parents, students, and teachers.

Americans United sent News 4 a statement on Monday’s decision.

 "While it's disappointing that the court has not taken immediate action to block implementation of Superintendent Ryan Walters' religiously coercive new social studies standards, Monday's ruling is not a final resolution of this case. We have presented a strong case to the court that Walters' new standards will violate students' and families' religious freedom by promoting one version of Christianity and advancing Christian Nationalist disinformation. We’re hopeful for a final ruling in favor of our clients that protects religious freedom, public education and church-state separation for all Oklahomans."

KFOR reached out to Walters’ office for comment on the ruling but have yet to hear back.