Despite a mandate from Oklahoma Education Superintendent Ryan Walters requiring the teaching of the Bible in all schools for the 2024-2025 school year, many districts have yet to implement any curriculum changes, according to a report by the New York Times.
Teachers and school officials have expressed confusion about the lack of guidance and direction on how to incorporate the Bible into the curriculum. Some districts have publicly opposed the mandate, while others are waiting for further clarification from the State Department of Education.
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Katherine Bishop, President of the Oklahoma Education Association, stated to the NYT that no district has publicly announced plans to follow the mandate.
Teachers also expressed frustration with the lack of a clear plan, hindering the purchase of new materials or curriculum development.
While Superintendent Walters has hailed the mandate as a historic step towards returning the Bible to classrooms, critics argue that it is mere propaganda and potentially violates the separation of church and state.
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Despite the resistance, the Oklahoma State Department of Education has not provided any additional guidance or responded to requests for comment.
This leaves schools and teachers in a state of uncertainty as the new school year begins.
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