State Supreme Court pauses new social studies standards in Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — The Oklahoma State Supreme Court blocked the 2025 social studies standards from being implemented for now.

The court prohibits State Superintendent Ryan Walters from putting the new standards in place and instead says the standards from 2-19 will remain in effect.

State officials are also prohibited from spending any state funds on the new standards.

The plaintiffs are represented by Americans United for Separation of Church and State and Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law and Justice. The organizations issued the following statements:

“Today’s ruling will help ensure that Oklahoma families – not politicians – get to decide how and when their children engage with religion,” said Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United. “These new social studies standards would violate students’ and families’ religious freedom by promoting one version of Christianity and advancing Christian Nationalist disinformation. Not on our watch. Public schools are not Sunday schools.”

KFOR has reached out to Walter's office, but has not heard back on a response to the court ruling.