In a move set against Oklahoma's newly revised social studies standards, parents in the state have found an ally in "We're Oklahoma Education," a non-partisan nonprofit organization. According to OKC FOX, Erica Watkins, the director of the group, stated, "I do want to make sure my kids get alternate assignments when it comes to the things that are more ideologically, religious-based," showcasing the group's commitment to providing opt-out forms for parents concerned about the curriculum's contents.
These forms pertain to the Oklahoma State Board of Education-approved standards that feature an increased presence of Biblical references and a directive for students to investigate "discrepancies in the 2020 election." While said to have been plagued with concerns about factual inaccuracies and age inappropriateness, legislative leaders allowed these standards to take effect amidst the complaints, as reported by News 4.
The nonprofit's deputy director, Saralynn Boren, explained to FOX23, "So we came up with these opt out forms, we made sure we consulted with an attorney to make sure they were legally sound... and they give parents the option to opt their children out of the standards for parts they don't agree with." This template allows customization for parents to selectively choose aspects of the curriculum they find objectionable for their children.
State Superintendent Ryan Walters previously championed the new standards telling FOX23, "We're really excited about where we are, we just passed the best history standards in the country..." However, Watkins notes the unease among parents regarding the potential spread of ideologically driven content as fact, "A lot of people are not okay with their students being taught as if it was a fact. Because it is not. It is propaganda," she told OKC FOX. The concern extends to issues of religious influence in the curriculum, with Watkins emphasizing the importance of representation for students who may not adhere to Christianity, or practice different versions of it.
With the law enacted in 2024 allowing parents to opt out their children from instruction related to moral or religious beliefs, the standards, which are now enjoined pending an Oklahoma County Court decision, remain controversial.
